Lab Members – Queen's School of Kinesiology and Health Studies

Current Members

Dr. Brendon Gurd, Ph.D.

Eveline Menezes, Ph.D. Candidate

Originally from Brazil, Eveline completed her undergraduate degree in Physical Education at Federal University of Vale do São Francisco. She studied Exercise and Wellness at Arizona State University and was a research trainee at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She completed her M.Sc. in Functional and Molecular Biology at the State University of Campinas under the supervision of Dr. Leonardo Reis.

Kristi Storoschuk, Ph.D. Candidate

Kristi is a Ph.D. candidate in the Queen’s Muscle Physiology Lab, interested in the adaptations to exercise that improve carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Specifically, she is interested in how pre-exercise nutrition affects these adaptations. Before joining the QMPL, Kristi worked in science communication with a focus on nutritional ketosis and metabolic therapies. Outside of the lab, Kristi loves CrossFit, comedy, and cooking.

Lauren Pacitti, M.Sc.

Originally from Toronto Ontario, Lauren completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at McMaster University. She is currently completing her M.Sc. degree in muscle physiology with Dr. Brendon Gurd. Lauren’s thesis will investigate the use of threshold exercise prescription as a way to eliminate sex differences in adaptation and substrate utilization.

Peter Mendolia, M.Sc.

Peter graduated from Queen’s Kinesiology in 2021. Currently, he is in a second year of his M.Sc. His research interests and focus is on maximizing the time-efficiency of bodyweight high intensity interval training.

Cary Wu, M.Sc.

Cary is a second year M.Sc. student, and his research interests are focused on understanding how exercise affects the expression and localization of noncoding RNA. In his spare time, Cary enjoys virtual photography. Over the past year, he has been learning to play electric guitar. However, the only song he currently knows how to play is “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones.

Andres Moran-Macdonald, M.Sc.

Andres is a first year M.Sc. student, raised in Kingston, ON. He graduated with a Biochemistry degree from Queen’s, and found his interests lie more in muscle physiology and the exercise lab. He is interested in the biochemical adaptation differences athletes have to non-athletes in response to exercise and nutrition. In addition to school, Andres is an avid triathlete, an amateur sourdough baker, and a singer at the Catholic cathedral in Kingston.

Past Members

Benjamin Arhen, M.Sc.

Originally from Brampton Ontario, Ben completed his Undergraduate degree in Biology (Hons.) at Queen’s University in 2020. During his undergraduate years, Ben was a member of the Queen’s Gaels varsity football team and transitioned into the coaching role while pursuing his MSc. in 2020. Ben’s research focuses on the upstream molecular mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis at various high intensities of exercise.

Matt Renwick, M.Sc.

Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, Matt completed his undergraduate degree in Bio-Medical Science at the University of Guelph. While attending U of G, Matt completed a 4th-year thesis and has had the opportunity to work closely with NHL and varsity-level hockey teams. Matt’s M.Sc. will focus on investigating molecular signalling pathways of PGC-1a and mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis.

Kyra Bancroft, M.Sc.

Originally from Madoc, Ontario, Kyra studied at Queen’s University where she received an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. In fourth year, Kyra completed a manuscript challenging the ‘master-regulator’ PGC-1a paradigm looking at exercise-induced activation of novel regulators of skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis. This paved an avenue for her M.Sc. work studying the reading protein expression of novel regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis across the early and late follicular phases of the menstrual cycle.

Kassia Regnier, M.Sc.

Originally from Willaimstown, Ontario, Kassia moved to Kingston, Ontario, to complete her B.Sc.H. degree in Biology at Queen’s University. She is currently completing her M.Sc. degree in muscle physiology with Dr. Brendon Gurd. When not in the lab, Kassia enjoys staying fit and spending time with her family and her cats.

Tanbira Alam, M.Sc.

Born and raised in Bangladesh, Tanbira completed a degree in Medicine at Dhaka University. She then moved to Kingston to pursue her M.Sc. at Queen’s University under the supervision of Drs. Brendon Gurd and Chris McGlory.

Dr. Jacob Bonafiglia, Ph.D.

Completed his M.Sc. (2015-2017) and Ph.D. (2017-2021). Now working as a Diabetes Medical Science Liaison at Novo Nordisk.

Dr. Hashim Islam, Ph.D.

Completed his Ph.D. (2016-2020). Now a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Johnathan Little at the University of British Columbia.

Nick Preobrazenski, M.Sc.

Completed his M.Sc. (2017-2019). Now studying medicine at the University of Ottawa.

Michael Del Giudice, M.Sc.

Completed his M.Sc. (2016-2018).

Dr. Trisha Scribbans, Ph.D.

Completed her Ph.D. (2012-2016). Now an assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba.

Dr. Brittany Edgett, Ph.D.

Completed her M.Sc. (2010-2012) and Ph.D. (2012-2016). Now completing a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Jeremy Simpson at the University of Guelph.

Laura Sawula, M.Sc.

Completed her undergraduate thesis (2014-2015) and M.Sc. (2015-2017). Now studying physiotherapy at the University of Toronto.

James Raleigh, M.Sc.

Completed his undergraduate thesis (2013-2014) and M.Sc. (2014-2016). Now working as a rehabilitation specialist at Fleming Fitness.

Matthew Giles, M.Sc.

Completed his undergraduate thesis (2013-2014) and M.Sc. (2014-2016). Now working as a complex case manager at Manulife Financial.

Jennifer Matusiak, M.Sc.

Completed her undergraduate thesis (2013-2014) and M.Sc. (2014-2016).

Jasmin Ma, M.Sc.

Completed her undergraduate thesis (2011-2012) and M.Sc. (2012-2014). Now completing a Ph.D. with Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis at the University of British Columbia Okanagan.

Tina Siemens, M.Sc.

Completed her M.Sc. (2011-2013). Now working as an occupational therapist.

Cameron Williams, M.Sc.

Completed his M.Sc. (2011-2013). Studying medicine at University of Toronto.

Marysa Smith, M.Sc.

Completed her M.Sc. (2011-2013). Now working as a registered Kinesiologist at CBI Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre in Ottawa.

Colin Boyd, M.Sc.

Completed his M.Sc. (2011-2013). Now the Research Coordinator in the Department of Anesthesia at the IWK Health Center, Halifax.

QMPL

28 Division St. Kingston, ON, 37L 3N6