CROSH graduate student members are enrolled in a variety of programs, like Human Kinetics, Interdisciplinary Health, Nursing, Indigenous Relations, Engineering Science, Rural and Northern Health, Human Studies and Interdisciplinarity, Biomolecular Science, Materials Science, and more! You can learn how you can become a CROSH graduate student member here and about all of Laurentian University’s graduate programs here.

 Erfan Arbab
Erfan ArbabProgram: Masters of Computational Sciences
Raisul Islam Atik
Raisul Islam AtikProgram: Masters of Engineering (Engineering Science)
Prosper Mandela Amaltinga Awuni
Prosper Mandela Amaltinga Awuni Program: PhD in Rural and Northern Health
Victor Benitez, PT
Victor Benitez, PTProgram: Master's in Human Kinetics
Thesis: Cross-cultural comparison of professional physiotherapy practice in Canada and Mexico

Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Ritchie

Christopher Brescacin
Christopher BrescacinProgram: Master of Science in Kinesiology with a Specialization in Occupational Health and Ergonomics at Lakehead University
Christopher thesis is “Using Knowledge Translation Theory to Inform Partnership Development and Identify Mental Health Burden in a Career and Volunteer Fire Service”
Ivana Costantino
Ivana CostantinoProgram: Master in Public Health, Brock University
Ivan’s undergraduate thesis was “Objective and Subjective Motor-Functional Changes in Post-Stroke Individuals After a 10-week Interventional Study Using the MyHandTM Device” under supervisor Dr. Vineet Johnson.
Jonah D'Angelo, BPHE, MHK
Jonah D'Angelo, BPHE, MHKProgram: PhD in Human Kinetics
Jonah is interested in preventive health and safety.

Thesis: A Multiphase Retrospective Investigation of Early Life Outdoor Experiences on the Life Course of Outdoor Practitioners: Using a Life Course and Significant Life Experience Framework

Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Ritchie

Alexandre Dionne
Alexandre DionneProgram: Masters of Arts in Applied Psychology
Amy Doan, BScN, MSc, RN
Amy Doan, BScN, MSc, RNProgram: PhD in Human Studies
Thesis Title: Medical Device HCI Design Complexities Impacting Nurse Users

Thesis Description: The focus of my research aims to strengthen the connections between human factors and HCI design of medical device interfaces and how their relationship possesses the power to influence how safely and comfortably a medical device can be interacted with. Exploring the current mental models nurse users refer to when interacting with familiar and novel medical devices can give important insight into how future, optimally designed user interfaces should be delineated and specifically what design factors should be taken into account. It is the aim of my research to further explore how the human factors ergonomics aspects of medical device user interface design, advances to user safety, efficiency, and general enjoyment of interacting with these devices are affected. An additional layer of complexity exists when considering healthcare workers situated in Northern Ontario areas who experience additional barriers and burdens in healthcare environments that permeate into the medical device design space.

George Flagler
George FlaglerProgram: MA in Interdisciplinary Health
George is a Masters student in Interdisciplinary Health at Laurentian University, where he also earned a degree in Health Promotion. A graduate student member of CROSH, George’s research interests include harness suspension, occupational exposures in mining, men’s mental health, and factors influencing vaccine hesitancy.

Thesis: “Could Sector-Related Shortages and Closures During COVID-19 Have Been Avoided? A Regional Scoping Review of COVID-19 in Ontario.”

Supervisor: Dr. Nancy Lightfoot

Pranil G C
Pranil G CProgram: Master's in Computational Science
Simulation of Fall-arrest-Training using Extended Reality
Supervisor: Dr. Ratvinder Grewal
Kira Gouchie
Kira GouchieProgram: Medical Student at NOSM
Willa Hladun
Willa HladunProgram: Master's of Human Kinetics
Thesis Title: Motherhood Journeys On and Off the Ice: A Narrative Analysis of Digital Media Stories of Professional Hockey Mothers

Description: I am examining digital news stories covering elite hockey athletes who are also mothers to examine what narratives are present in the mediation surrounding them, how these narratives influence their identity formation, and the psychosocial and cultural implications of such narratives. The sport media is a powerful tool in influencing our own and others perception of elite athletes, which has implications for their psychological wellbeing, as well as influences the cultural landscape of sports. Understanding how certain media narratives can be positive or negative to the psychological wellbeing of athlete mothers and the culture of sports can assist us in fostering a more supportive and inclusive hockey culture, which is a highly popular sport not only in Northern Ontario, but throughout North America.

Allisa Hitchen, B.E.P.S
Allisa Hitchen, B.E.P.SProgram: Masters in Interdisciplinary Health
I am a recent Health Promotion graduate and Health and Safety Coordinator, driven by a passion for occupational health. I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Health with a focus on Canadian miners suffering from lung disease. My research project, titled “Prominence of Lung Diseases in Canadian Miners,” aims to study elevated exposure to respirable dust, inadequate ventilation systems, and inefficient use of protective respirators. With a commitment to mitigating lung diseases, I am seeking to identify strategies to minimize dust exposure, improve ventilation, and enhance respiratory protection, ultimately ensuring the well-being of Canadian miners.

Thesis: The prominence of Canadian miners suffering from lung disease. My focus will be to study the elevated exposure to respirable dust, inadequate ventilation systems and inefficient use of personal protective respirators, in order to be able to mitigate lung diseases in Canadian miners.

Supervisor: Dr. Alison Godwin

Haoyu Huang
Haoyu HuangProgram: MSc Computational Sciences
Haoyu’s research interests include: Safety Data Analysis and Predictive Modeling, User-friendly Interface Design
Reza Mehboob, MSc OHS, CRSP, CFIOSH
Reza Mehboob, MSc OHS, CRSP, CFIOSHPhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, University of New Brunswick
William Nesbitt, MHK
William Nesbitt, MHKProgram: PhD in Rural and Northern Health
Thesis Title: Investigating Predictors of a Successful Return-to-Work in the Mining Industry

Thesis Description: For my doctoral thesis, I am examining mental and physical health-related factors that could influence a return-to-work. The results of this research could be used to help inform the creation of an assessment that can predict a workers readiness for a successful return-to-work. Results from this study will also be used to assist with informing future health and wellness intervention strategies in the Northern Ontario mining industry.

Dawson O'Hara
Dawson O'HaraProgram: Masters in Engineering
Dawson’s research interests are on vibration transmissions through to the body.
Sara Perfetto
Sara PerfettoProgram: Master's in Biomechanics and Neuroscience at McGill University
Sara’s OHS interests involve Human Factors and Ergonomics.
MacKenzie Portelance
MacKenzie PortelanceProgram: MSc in Interdisciplinary Health
Kate Posluszny, MSc
Kate Posluszny, MScProgram: Ph.D. in Kinesiology (Biomechanics) Candidate at the University of Waterloo
Under the supervision of Dr. Steve Fischer, Kate’s research interests surround the use of wearable technology to monitor and assess the risk of workplace injuries in first responders. Current research projects are entitled: “Predicting personal support workers’ occupational demands through heart rate variability” and “An empirical analysis on the efficacy of portable lift assist use in a paramedic service”.
Kiran Rani
Kiran RaniProgram: Master's in Human Kinetics
Elmira Saffarvarkiani
Elmira Saffarvarkiani Program: Master's in Computational Science
Dr. Leila Vakili Sohroforouzani
Dr. Leila Vakili SohroforouzaniProgram: Master's in Human Kinetics
Solange Marc St Hilaire
Solange Marc St HilaireProgram: PhD in Human Studies and Interdisciplinary Health
Mehdi Tavafi
Mehdi TavafiProgram: Masters of Computational Science
Emily Tetzlaff, PhD(c), RKIN, MHK, BPHE, GERO-CERT
Emily Tetzlaff, PhD(c), RKIN, MHK, BPHE, GERO-CERTPhD (Candidate) in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa
Thesis: Heat Health Communication in Canada
Supervisor: Dr. Glen Kenny
Taryn Thompson
Taryn ThompsonProgram: Master of Public Health (MPH), University of Ottawa
Disal Wickramasinghe
Disal WickramasingheProgram: Master's in Interdisciplinary Health
Disal is conducting a research study looking at the mental health of registered nurses and registered practical nurses in Northern Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic. His thesis supervisor is Dr. Judith Horrigan.
Megan Wickie
Megan Wickie Program: Masters in Interdisciplinary Health
Project Title: Exposing the Price of Inaction: Evaluating the Healthcare and Economic Burden of High Diesel Particulate Matter Occupational Exposure Limits in Northern Ontario’s Underground Mining Industry

Supervisor: Dr. Sandra Dorman

Parastou Zerang
Parastou ZerangProgram: PhD in Human Kinetics
Thesis Title: Behavioural Change Intervention at the Workplace with Consideration of the Effect of Resting Metabolic Rate

Supervisor: Dr.Sandra Dorman

Thesis Description: The northern region is more reliant on public sector employment (including health care and public services (police, fire)), with other important economic bases coming from forestry and mining. Obesity and mental health are relevant problems in these workplaces, which include context-specific examination of contributors to health or safety issues. Compared with those of average body weight, persons with obesity are hired less frequently, get lower salaries and promotions, and are less satisfied with their employment, which can affect their mental health.

The aim of my project is to examine the effect of a prolonged educational weight loss program focusing on forming new nutritional and physical activity habits on physical and mental health and quality of life at the workplace.