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.

Ashvene Sureshkumar

VP Finance

Research Interests / Specializations: MSc in Physical Therapy
Biography: Ashvene Sureshkumar is currently in her second year of the Master of Science in Health and Rehabilitation Science (Physical Therapy). She’s a member of the Mobility in Aging Lab, under the supervision of Dr. Susan Hunter. Her research interests include investigating rehabilitation outcomes of the oldest old group of people with lower limb amputations. She received her Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Western Ontario in 2020. You can find her on Twitter @AshveneS_

Jalesa Martin

VP Student Development

Research Interests / Specializations: MSc Student Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Biography: Jalesa Martin is a second year Master's student under the supervision of Dr. Shannon L. Sibbald. Her research explores equity-driven patient engagement in health systems reform, as well as cultural competence in the delivery of primary care. Jalesa is a member of the Black Professional and Graduate Students' Network and runs the Accessibility Mentorship Program at Western University. She received a Bachelor of Health Sciences from Western University in 2020 and hopes to pursue an MD in the fall of 2022. You can find her on Twitter @JalesaMartin.

Kristin Nugent

VP Communications

Research Interests / Specializations: MSc Kinesiology
Biography: Kristin is a first 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.

Eddy Madou

VP Academic

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD Health and Rehabilitation Science, Registered Kinesiologist
Biography: Eddy is a second 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.

Jesse Singh

VP Social

Biography: Jesse is from Oakville, Ontario. He is currently in the second year of the MSc in HRS in Physical therapy, supervised by Dr. Joy MacDermid from the Hand and Upper Limb Clinic. Research interests include looking at shoulder instability rehabilitation and its decision making process concerning Ice Hockey players. Will be working with the Fowler Kennedy Sports Clinic. Received a Honours BA in Geo/Enviro studies from McMaster University.

Corinna Easton

VP Internal

Biography: Corinna is a 2nd 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

Ned Jovanovic

PhD Student Representative

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD Health and Rehabilitation Science
Biography: Ned is a fourth year PhD student interested in researching ways to improve treatment and maximize functional outcomes, including quality of life, for those diagnosed with cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract. He is currently investigating the utility of radiomic imaging to identify patients at-risk for adverse outcomes in order to provide early and targeted interventions.

Nicole Peters

PhD Student Representative

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD Student Combined MPT/PhD Program
Biography: Nicole is a second 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.

Cara Davidson

MSc Student Representative

Biography: Cara is a 1st year PhD student in the Measurement and Methods stream working in the Women’s Health Matters Research Lab. She specializes in mixed-methods research regarding women’s experiences of intimate partner violence and maternal-infant health. Prior to her PhD, Cara completed her BHSc and MSc degrees at Western University. You can find her on Twitter @CaraADavidson

Dorota Klubowicz

Combined Program Representative

Research Interests / Specializations: Combined PT/PhD in Rehabilitative Sciences - Physical Therapy
Biography: Dorota is a 4th year combined PT/PhD student at Western University and is interested in researching breast-related quality of life and the relationship between breast weight and spinal pain. She has also completed her MSc in Clinical Anatomy at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western. She is currently entering into her second year of the Master of Physical Therapy program.

Katie Shillington

VP External

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD in Health Promotion
Biography: Katie is a second-year doctoral student in the Health Promotion stream of the Health and Rehabilitations Sciences graduate program, under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Irwin. Her program of research involves resilience-promoting behaviours toward positive mental health. These behaviours tend to focus on kindness, prosocial behaviours, and other coping strategies during challenging times. Katie also works on the Women’s Health Matters research team, serves as the Senior Advisor on the Health Studies Students’ Association, and is an instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Rochelle Furtado

Senior Advisor

Research Interests / Specializations: Combined MPT/PHD, 3rd Year
Biography: Rochelle is a 3rd year combined MPT-PhD student supervised by Dr. Joy MacDermid. Her research interests lie in patient education, upper extremity injuries, and knowledge translation. Rochelle is the resident grandmother on HRSGSS this year, so please reach out to her for all general inquiries about the HRS Program.