Council Members

Lauren Straatman

President

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD Student, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
Biography: Lauren Straatman is currently pursuing a PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science at Western University. She received a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University in Toronto in April 2019. Lauren’s thesis is a collaborative project within health and rehabilitation science and mechanical and materials engineering under the supervision of Dr. David Walton and Dr. Emily Lalone. The project will focus on the exploration mechanisms underlying chronic pain development following wrist trauma.

Edward Madou

VP Finance

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Registered Kinesiologist
Biography: Eddy is a third year PhD student and is a member of the Bone and Joint Institute’s Collaborative Specialization in Musculoskeletal Health research. His research interests consist of investigating rehabilitation techniques to improve pathological gait and movement specifically in those with a lower limb amputation. Eddy is currently a member of the Mobility in Aging lab under the supervision of Dr. Susan Hunter and his current project involves examining the efficacy of motor imagery as an intervention in the rehabilitation of those with lower limb amputation.

Kristin Nugent

VP Student Development

Research Interests / Specializations: MPT/PhD Combined Student
Biography: Kristin is a second year student in the combined MPT/PhD program at Western University. She completed her MSc in Kinesiology at Western and conducted a research thesis on a concern for falling among people with lower extremity amputations. Kristin works out of the Mobility in Aging Lab under the supervision of Dr. Susan Hunter. This is Kristin's second year on the HRS council and is excited to continue to build strong relations with her fellow graduate peers.

Cara Davidson

VP Communications (Internal/ External)

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD Student, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Measurement and Methods
Biography: Cara A. Davidson (BHSc, MSc) is a PhD student at Western University in the Measurement and Methods stream of the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program. She is a women’s health researcher exploring the bio-psycho-social impacts of gender-based violence in the context of breast cancer for Canadian women. She seeks to develop individualized trauma- and violence-informed cancer care to improve health outcomes for this population. Beyond her doctoral work, Cara aims to integrate considerations of gender-based violence across the scope of women's healthcare to address health disparities.

George Philip

VP Social and Media Relations

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Health and Aging
Biography: George Philip is a second year PhD student in the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program, specializing in the Health & Aging stream. He obtained his MSc in Translational Medicine from Queen’s University and his BSc with Honours in Medical Sciences from Brock University. George’s research aims to understand dementia-related stigma among racialized persons living with dementia, their care partners, and community. Recognizing the expression of stigmatizing behaviour and language can provide insight into effective education, training, and knowledge translation efforts. George aspires to have his research findings contribute to the improvement of dementia care, diagnosis, and treatment.

Nicole Peters

VP Academic

Research Interests / Specializations: MPT/PhD Combined Student
Biography: Nicole is a third year student pursuing a combined MPT/PhD degree in Rehabilitation Sciences, in Physical Therapy, under the supervision of Dr. Alison Rushton and Dr. Pulak Parikh. Nicole’s thesis will investigate the quality of life of individuals with low back pain by evaluating the psychometrics of outcome measures used following surgical interventions for low back pain. Nicole's research interests also include the assessment of functional outcomes such as balance and mobility, outcome development and the quality of life of MSK and neurological populations, such as ALS. Before coming to Western, Nicole received a MSc. in Rehabilitation Sciences from McMaster University and a BSc. Honours Major in Human Kinetics and Honours Minor in Psychology: Brain and Cognition from the University of Guelph.

Karen Pratt

VP Academic

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD Student, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Professional Education
Biography: Karen Pratt is a second year PhD student in the Health Professional Education stream supervised by Dr. Laura Brunton. Karen is a registered kinesiologist and works in a pediatric rehabilitation setting. Karen is interested in meaningful participation for people with childhood onset disabilities and how this can impact psychosocial outcomes including quality of life, mental health, and wellbeing. Karen completed her MSc. and BA (hons) degrees from Western University. You can find her on twitter @karenphdlife.

Zikra Nilam

Combined Student Representative

Research Interests / Specializations: MPT/PhD Combined Student

Corinna Easton

PhD Student Representative

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD Student, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Promotion
Biography: Corinna is a 3rd year PhD student in the Health Promotion stream, supervised by Dr. Carrie Anne Marshall and Dr. Abe Oudshoorn. Her research interests housing and homelessness, poverty, mental health and food security. She previously completed her MScOT at Queen’s University and is a registered Occupational Therapist practicing in mental health and paediatrics. Follow her on twitter @corrina_easton.

Siying Luan

MSc Student Representative

Research Interests / Specializations: MPT, Physical Therapy Student
Biography: Siying Luan is a 2nd-year student in the Master of Physical Therapy program at Western University. She works in the Neurorehab Physiology lab under the supervision of Dr. Sue Peters and co-supervised by Dr. Susan Hunter from the Mobility in Ageing lab. Siying’s research focuses on discovering brain activation patterns associated with lower extremity sensorimotor functions in people who have had a stroke. She completed her undergraduate in Western University with an Honours Specialization in Health Science with a minor in Psychology. Siying is excited to represent MSc students and you can find her on LinkedIn.