Graduate Student Members

Thesis: Cross-cultural comparison of professional physiotherapy practice in Canada and Mexico

Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Ritchie

Christopher thesis is “Using Knowledge Translation Theory to Inform Partnership Development and Identify Mental Health Burden in a Career and Volunteer Fire Service”

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 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

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 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

Simulation of Fall-arrest-Training using Extended Reality
Supervisor: Dr. Ratvinder Grewal

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.

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’s research interests include: Safety Data Analysis and Predictive Modeling, User-friendly Interface Design

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’s research interests are on vibration transmissions through to the body.

Sara’s OHS interests involve Human Factors and Ergonomics.

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”.

Thesis: Heat Health Communication in Canada
Supervisor: Dr. Glen Kenny

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.

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

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.