About us

Dr. Ryan Rhodes
Professor
Room A366, MacLaurin Building
Phone : 250-721-8384
E-mail: rhodes@uvic.ca

Academic profile

My diverse expertise stems from my BA in Psychology and a MA in Exercise Psychology from the University of British Columbia. I also completed my PhD in Behavioral Medicine at the University of Alberta and began a faculty position at the University of Victoria in June of 2001.

My primary research and teaching area is focused on the psychology of physical activity and sedentary behaviour. I have applied interests in early family development of physical activity and special populations. For a complete profile of my research, please click my specific areas of interest, publications, abstracts, and presentations. For information about by research funding, please click grants and awards. I have a secondary teaching interest in research methods and design as well as statistics. Please also see the courses section of this website for these topics.

Those interested in graduate studies under my supervision should contact me to discuss their background and research interests. Further information on graduate student supervision is provided in the student info section of this website.

Personal profile

I was born in Victoria in 1973, but spent most of my life in Vancouver, British Columbia. When not working, I like to spend time with my two daughters, Lauren and Rachel, and my golden retriever named Sydney. I enjoy running Victoria's oceanfront, walking my dog, and good cuisine. I am also an avid film buff and gamer.

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Greg Mulligan, MSc
Laboratory Coordinator (2013-)
Room D015, MacLaurin building
Phone: 250-853-3145
www.gregmulligan.ca

E-mail: bml@uvic.ca or mulligan@uvic.ca

I am a research coordinator in the Behavioural Medicine Lab, Rehabilitation Neuroscience Lab, and for the upper year physiology and biomechanics labs in the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education. Since 2006 I've taught lectures and labs for human physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition.

In the Behavioural Medicine Lab I am involved in studies involving families and their physical activity behaviours. When not working I enjoy spending time outdoors with my young daughter, cooking, and cycling.

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Holly Murray, BSc
Former Laboratory Coordinator (2004-2013)
Room D015, MacLaurin building
Phone: 250-472-5488
E-mail: bml@uvic.ca

I was a research coordinator in the Behavioural Medicine Lab, Rehabilitation Neuroscience Lab and for the second year human physiology labs in the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education.

In the Behavioural Medicine Lab I have been involved in studies involving dog owners and their physical activity behaviours. I am a CSEP certified exercise physiologist and have been involved in the parenthood projects as a fitness tester.

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Navin Kaushal, MSc
PhD graduate student

I completed a joint Honors degree in Health Sciences and Psychology at the University of Western Ontario. Looking for a change, I flew to the eastern edge of Canada (St. John's, NL) to complete my MSc in Kinesiology at Memorial University. My master's thesis investigated how various psychological conditions affected participants' perception of exertion when they exercised at the same physiological intensity. While enjoying life on the eastern island, I was curious about experiencing life from a different perspective, so I moved to Vancouver Island to join Dr. Rhodes' team, as a PhD student.

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Kristina Kowalski, PhD(c)
PhD graduate student

My name is Kristina Kowalski, and I joined the Behavioural Medicine Lab in January 2010. After several years working towards a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology, I decided to pursue a new and exciting career path. Currently, I am in an Interdisciplinary PhD program combining the disciplines of Neuropsychology and Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education.

My new PhD program is under the supervision of Dr. Ryan Rhodes and Dr. Holly Tuokko.

In 2007, I graduated with a MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Victoria. My undergraduate work was completed at the University of Waterloo where I obtained a BSc with a double major in Kinesiology and Psychology. My past research focused on older drivers with and without cognitive impairment. In particular, my older driver research has related to two main topics : (1) driving assessment and retraining; and (2) driving behaviour change. I will continue to conduct some research on older drivers, but will begin to explore new research interests emphasizing neuropsychology and exercise. My future research will focus on the influence of lifestyle and exercise (both cognitive and physical) on promoting successful aging and preventing cognitive decline in healthy and “at risk” older adults.

When I am not at school, you can find me playing volleyball, hiking with my dog, or training for a new physical challenge. In 2009, I took up running half marathons, trail running, and triathlons and I am looking forward to all the challenges my training and racing will bring me this year.

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Katrina Laquian
Research Assistant


I am a Research Assistant in the lab. I am currently working with Kristina on a meta-analysis on the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Physical Activity, and with Cara using the Kinesoft program. I am completing my undergraduate studies at UVic in the Health and Aging Concentration of the Sociology Program. I am interested in applying the research skills I have learned (especially quantitative) in the areas of health promotion. I enjoy teaching indoor cycling classes at the campus fitness centre and exploring the hiking areas and trails around Vancouver Island and the mainland.

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Kathryn Moncks
Research Assistant


I am a MSc Kinesiology student within the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education. I am originally from Standard, AB where I completed a BKin in Mind Sciences at the University of Calgary. I was a member of the University of Calgary Dinos Women's Volleyball team and captured three bronze medals and one silver medal during my time with the team. In addition to indoor volleyball, I competed on the national beach volleyball circuit for three years, winning silver medals at nationals in 2008 and a silver medal at the Canada Summer Games in 2009.

I started working for the Behavioural Medicine Lab in May 2012. I conduct fitness testing for the participants in a few studies and am working on a literature review for Dr. Rhodes. My literature review is examining the mediators of physical activity in clinical populations.

I am currently completing my Master's research project, which is examining the health promotion potential of large physical activity fundraising events, specifically the Run for the Cure. Since my first health and psychology class that looked at tailored lifestyle intervention programs, I have been passionate about a career that involves identifying and strengthening community capacities to take action on health issues, while emphasizing social and personal resources to improve health, wellness and quality of life.

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Alison Quinlan
Masters graduate student

My name is Alison Quinlan and I joined the Behavioral Medicine Lab in November 2011. I am a research assistant for a Canada wide Cardiac study (EPOCH) which focuses on increasing our understanding of how the environment influences physical activity of people living with heart disease. I am also currently working on a systematic review which examines predictors of natural physical activity change overtime.

I am working towards my MSc in Kinesiology with a focus on sport psychology. My thesis study is investigating the different mental training strategies employed by Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

When I am not hunched over at a computer I enjoy hiking, golfing, tennis and anything where I get to be active and outdoors!

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Janine Sigurdson
Research Assistant

I have been a lab member since the Summer of 2012. I am currently working on an intervention study involving family physical activity. I was drawn to the topic area because it relates to my interests and areas of study. I am working on my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with Co-op Education, and a Minor in Psychology. Outside of my studies, I enjoy traveling, and playing volleyball and tennis.

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Cara Temmel
Research Assistant

I joined the lab in December 2009 to work on my honours thesis, and then moved on to work as a research assistant as part of my co-op program. I graduated in June 2012 with a BSc. Kinesiology with Honours and Co-op. Since finishing my degree and starting to work as a Kinesiologist, I continue to work part time in the lab as a research coordinator on various projects.

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Alisha Witter
Research Assistant

My name is Alisha Witter. I attained a Bachelors of Kinesiology from McMaster University before pursuing a Masters in Kinesiology from UVIC. My thesis centers on adapted physical activity, with a focus on children with disabling conditions. I joined the BMED lab during the summer of 2012 and am now coordinating a project called "A Physical Activity Intervention for New Parents". The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not certain strategies can be administered immediately post-partum to help improve physical activity levels among new parents in the first eight months post-partum. I enjoy travelling, volunteering, and a variety of physical activities with a particular interest in indoor cycling and fitness classes.

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Christopher Yao, BKin (hons.)
Master's graduate student

My name is Christopher Yao, and I am currently pursuing a MA degree under the supervision of Dr. Ryan Rhodes. In 2011, I completed my Honors degree in Kinesiology and in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Western Ontario. Prior to my undergraduate degree, I acquired a diploma from George Brown College in Fitness and Lifestyle Management in 2007. My research interests are in the area of treatment approaches to pediatric obesity and the parental correlates of healthy lifestyle behaviours in children and adolescents. As a classic foodie, I enjoy trying different cuisines, wines, and finding the best restaurants in town. I also enjoy badminton, tennis, basketball, and running, in my spare time. My goals while I am in Victoria are to compete in/complete a marathon, to take up kayaking, and to attempt surfing for the first time (while in Tolfino).

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Rosie Hsu, BSc
Research assistant 2010