Find Academic Supervisors

Dr. Keith Alexander Sharkey is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. He is also a Full Member of both the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and The Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Dr. Sharkey has been at the University of Calgary since his appointment as Assistant Professor in 1990, dedicating his career to understanding the neural control of the gastrointestinal tract. From 2005-2021, he held the Crohn's and Colitis Canada Chair in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research, demonstrating his longstanding commitment to advancing knowledge in gastrointestinal sciences. Dr. Sharkey's educational journey began with a BSc (Hons) in Nutrition from the University of London in 1981, followed by a PhD in Physiology from the University of Liverpool in 1985. After completing postdoctoral training in Hungary, the UK, and Canada, he joined the University of Calgary faculty in 1990, where he has remained throughout his distinguished academic career. Dr. Sharkey's research program centers on understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of the neural control of the gastrointestinal tract and brain-gut interactions in health and disease. His laboratory investigates two main areas: the role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating GI motility and intestinal barrier function, and the physiology of the enteric nervous system in controlling motility and barrier function. His work employs state-of-the-art approaches including live cell imaging and molecular genetics. Recent publications show his expanding interest in connections between gut function and neurodegenerative conditions like ALS, with multiple 2024-2025 papers examining sexual dimorphism in disease processes and gut-brain axis mechanisms. Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (2024) Cumming School of Medicine's van de Sande Distinguished Achievement Award for Mentorship (2021) Distinguished Research Award, American Physiological Society (2021) Finkelstein Award for Excellence, Crohn's and Colitis Canada (2016) Fellow, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2015) Fellow, Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (2015) Killam Annual Professor Award, University of Calgary (2013) Dr. Sharkey has mentored numerous students throughout his career, as evidenced by his 2021 Mentorship Award. His research is supported by significant funding, including a CIHR Foundation grant exploring how enteric nerves and glia maintain intestinal homeostasis. He has also participated in university strategic initiatives focused on Brain and Mental Health (2015-2021) and Infections, Inflammations and Chronic Diseases (2015-2021), demonstrating his interdisciplinary approach. The Sharkey Lab provides a safe, inclusive, and diverse research environment that encourages open scientific exchange from diverse viewpoints. His laboratory is actively engaged in multiple collaborative projects, including investigations with UBC Okanagan on diet and probiotics targeting the gut-brain metabolic interactome, and with University of Calgary colleagues studying gut microbiota's role in ALS. Dr. Sharkey continues to advance our understanding of neural mechanisms controlling gastrointestinal function with upcoming courses scheduled for Fall 2024 and Winter 2025.

• Enteric nervous system
• Gut-brain axis
• Endocannabinoid system
• +3 more

Panagiota (Nota) Klentrou is a Distinguished Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Brock University, specializing in Kinesiology. Her research focuses on exercise physiology , bone development , and the health implications of sport training in youth , particularly examining cellular mechanisms linking exercise, diet, and lifelong bone health. Supported by NSERC, CIHR, Osteoporosis Canada, and the International Gymnastics Federation Education: PhD, FCSEP (Fellow of the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology) Her work spans bone physiology , inflammatory responses to exercise , and sclerostin-mediated tissue cross-talk , with recent studies exploring the impact of obesogenic diets , acute exercise , and nutritional interventions on skeletal growth and adaptation. Key findings include the role of sprint interval training in modulating adipose tissue Wnt signaling and the effects of dairy consumption on bone turnover markers. Scientific Awards & Distinctions Fellow, Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP), 2020 Marilyn Rose Graduate Leadership Award, 2017 TVO's Best Lecturer nominee, 2010 Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence, Brock University, 2009 Award for Distinguished Research & Creative Activity, Brock University, 2006 Dr. Klentrou actively supervises graduate and undergraduate students in projects related to bone physiology , inflammation , and exercise adaptation , and collaborates with organizations like Osteoporosis Canada and the International Gymnastics Federation.

• Exercise Physiology
• Bone Physiology
• Pediatric Exercise Medicine
• +4 more

Deborah McPhail is an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba. Her research is committed to advancing health equity through community-engaged scholarship focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ and fat communities using qualitative, anti-oppressive methodologies. Education: PhD, York University Master of Sociology, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto Bachelor of Arts, University of Manitoba Dr. McPhail's work integrates feminist, queer, and fat theories to examine systemic oppression in healthcare systems. Her expertise spans critical social sciences, anti-oppressive approaches to health, and qualitative methodologies, with emphasis on marginalized groups' healthcare experiences. She actively develops medical curriculum for 2SLGBTQIA+ health and equity-seeking populations while teaching graduate courses in gender health equity and critical social theories. Her publication portfolio reveals consistent focus on fat studies and 2SLGBTQIA+ health, particularly analyzing reproductive care through lenses of eugenics, colonialism, and social justice. These works demonstrate material and affective analyses of clinical spaces, obesity history, and resistance strategies against healthcare stigma. Scientific Awards: Outstanding Reviewer, CIHR (2021/2022) Manitoba Medical Students Teaching Award (2019) CBC Top 40 Under 40 (2017) University of Manitoba Outreach Award (2016) Body Confidence Awards Canada (2016) Dr. McPhail mentors graduate students and leads major funded research including SSHRC's "Queering COVID" (2021-2025), Research Manitoba's LGBT healthcare professionals study (2016-2024), and CIHR's "Reproducing Stigma" project (2014-2022). Her community partnerships with Sunshine House and Rainbow Resource Centre ensure research directly addresses marginalized populations' needs while informing medical education and practice. As theme lead in gender and sexual health for the medical college, she develops undergraduate curriculum for medical students and serves on UMQueer as founding member. Her work bridges academic research with community advocacy through Manitoba Public Health Association involvement.

• 2SLGBTQIA+ Health
• Fat Studies
• Healthcare Equity
• +4 more

Dr. Alison Holloway is a Professor at McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences, specializing in environmental toxicology and reproductive health. Her research focuses on the effects of environmental contaminants (e.g., oil sands pollutants, pesticides, endocrine disruptors) on maternal and child health, metabolic disorders, and developmental outcomes. She has conducted studies on naphthenic acids, synthetic food additives, and maternal exposure to pharmaceuticals like fluoxetine. Key research areas include: Environmental contaminants' impact on reproductive systems and placental function Metabolic disturbances caused by chemical exposures during critical developmental windows Neurobehavioral and gastrointestinal effects of prenatal drug exposure Assessment of urban air pollution on in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates Her recent work highlights the role of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway as a biomarker of environmental stress and the obesogenic effects of bisphenol analogs and food additives. Collaborations involve interdisciplinary teams addressing environmental health, with studies published in high-impact toxicology and public health journals. Dr. Holloway's research has informed policies on chemical safety and maternal health, emphasizing cross-species markers for organismal health and risk assessment of emerging contaminants like cannabis derivatives.

• Environmental Toxicology
• Reproductive Health
• Metabolic Disorders
• +3 more

Jonathan Little is a Professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan , affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Social Development and School of Health and Exercise Sciences . He leads the Exercise Metabolism and Inflammation Laboratory (EMIL) , focusing on the intersection of exercise physiology, nutrition, and metabolic disorders. Hons B. Kin – McMaster University, 2005 M.Sc. – University of Saskatchewan, 2007 Ph.D. – McMaster University, 2010 Postdoctoral Fellowship – UBC, 2010-2012 His research investigates how metabolic disruptions in type 2 diabetes affect cellular inflammation and how exercise/nutritional strategies can mitigate these effects. Key areas include high-intensity interval training (HIIT) , nutritional ketosis , and immunometabolic responses . EMIL combines human clinical trials with cellular/molecular experiments, utilizing advanced tools like flow cytometry and metabolic carts. His recent publications emphasize exercise snacks (short, frequent workouts), ketone supplements , and fasting protocols for managing diabetes and obesity. He has received prestigious awards like the Killam Accelerator Fellowship and CIHR New Investigator Award . Killam Accelerator Research Fellowship (2021-2023) Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Young Investigator Award (2020) UBC Killam Research Fellowship (2018) Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar (2018-2023) American College of Sports Medicine New Investigator Award (2016) CIHR New Investigator Salary Award (2015-2020) He supervises graduate students in HMKN 313 – Exercise Metabolism and mentors through the HMKN 499 Research Practicum . His lab (EMIL) collaborates with institutions like the BC Diabetes Research Network and serves as an Associate Editor for Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism .

• Exercise Physiology
• Metabolism
• Inflammation
• +3 more

Maia Kokoeva, PhD, is a Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. She leads studies on obesity and neuroendocrine control of energy balance, focusing on leptin sensing and the role of NG2-glia in the hypothalamus. Research Interests: Neuroendocrine regulation of body weight Leptin signaling and sensing mechanisms Hypothalamic circuits controlling energy expenditure NG2-glia biology and adult neurogenesis Genetic mouse models of obesity and diabetes Her recent publications illuminate how NG2-glia in the median eminence mediate leptin entry into the hypothalamus, uncovering new cellular players that could be targeted to prevent age-related weight gain. Laboratory and Affiliations: Dr Kokoeva heads a laboratory within the Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program of the Centre for Translational Biology at RI-MUHC, leveraging state-of-the-art imaging and genetic tools to dissect hypothalamic control of metabolism.

• Obesity
• Energy balance
• Leptin signaling
• +5 more

Douglas Slobod, MD, FRCPC serves as an Investigator at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) at the Glen site, affiliated with the Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program within the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE). He maintains dual roles as both a research scientist and clinical intensivist in the Critical Care Medicine Program at the McGill University Health Centre. Dr. Slobod's research program centers on cardiopulmonary interactions in critically ill patients, with particular emphasis on how mechanical ventilation impacts right ventricular function. His work spans physiological investigations of lung injury mechanisms and clinical development of personalized respiratory support strategies for patients with acute respiratory failure. This research has significant implications for optimizing mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) while minimizing cardiovascular compromise. Analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of high-impact research in critical care physiology. Recent work demonstrates growing sophistication in monitoring techniques (including electrical impedance tomography and esophageal pressure monitoring) and a shift toward personalized ventilation approaches. His publications frequently address the complex interplay between respiratory mechanics and cardiovascular function, with particular attention to right ventricular performance during different ventilation strategies. Dr. Slobod maintains an active collaborative network with researchers across North America and Europe, contributing to both clinical trials and physiological investigations that address fundamental questions in mechanical ventilation. His work appears in premier journals including the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care, and Intensive Care Medicine. As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Slobod exemplifies the translational research model, directly connecting physiological insights from the laboratory to clinical practice at the bedside. His ongoing research continues to refine our understanding of how to optimize respiratory support while preserving cardiovascular function in critically ill patients.

• Cardiopulmonary Interactions
• Mechanical Ventilation
• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• +2 more

Dana Small, PhD is a Senior Scientist at the RI-MUHC and Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University . Her research is centered in the Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program within the Centre for Translational Biology . Her research focuses on understanding how body and mind work together to optimize behavior, particularly through neuroimaging, metabolic, and behavioral studies of ingestive behavior. She investigates how modern food environments affect brain evolution and eating behavior. The 15 most recent publications show a consistent focus on food reward mechanisms (2025), nutrient-brain interactions (2024), addiction-genetics relationships (2023), and neural processing of taste and reward (2020-2023). These works appear in high-impact journals like Cell Metabolism and Science .

• Neuroimaging
• Obesity
• Ingestive behavior
• +4 more

Zubin Punthakee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism within the Faculty of Medicine at McMaster University. His scholarly activity spans over 30 years with 97 publications in the last 10 years, demonstrating sustained research productivity in diabetes, endocrine disorders, and metabolic health. Dr. Punthakee's research interests focus on several key areas in endocrinology and diabetes care. He has made significant contributions to understanding type 2 diabetes remission through metabolic interventions, transition care for adolescents with type 1 diabetes moving to adult care systems, hypoparathyroidism management and skeletal health outcomes, and health disparities among South Asian populations. His work often involves large-scale clinical trials, registry-based research (particularly the Canadian National Hypoparathyroidism Registry), and implementation science approaches to improve diabetes care delivery. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on diabetes remission strategies, transition care quality improvement, and skeletal complications of endocrine disorders. His work bridges clinical endocrinology with health services research, often examining how to translate evidence into practice through audit and feedback mechanisms and structured transition programs. Dr. Punthakee has been actively involved in numerous clinical trials including the REMIT-iGlarLixi trial examining diabetes remission, and has contributed to major clinical practice guidelines for diabetes management across the lifespan. His work with the Canadian National Hypoparathyroidism Registry has produced multiple publications characterizing the etiology, clinical manifestations, and management strategies for hypoparathyroidism. His research frequently addresses health disparities, particularly among South Asian populations in Canada, examining factors like vaccine effectiveness, dietary patterns, and cardiovascular risk. This work demonstrates his commitment to addressing health equity through rigorous clinical research.

• Endocrinology
• Diabetes Research
• Metabolism
• +5 more

Monica Maly is a Part-Time Associate Professor in Rehabilitation Science within the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. Her academic profile demonstrates extensive expertise in biomechanics and rehabilitation, with particular focus on knee osteoarthritis research. She maintains an active research program with numerous recent publications spanning rheumatology, biomechanics, and rehabilitation science. Dr. Maly's research interests center on understanding the biomechanical and physiological factors contributing to knee osteoarthritis progression and developing effective interventions. Her work examines knee joint mechanics, muscle strength and capacity, gait analysis, pain management strategies, and the impact of exercise interventions on OA symptoms. She has conducted significant research on sex differences in OA, racial disparities in pain experiences, and the relationship between obesity, inflammation, and joint function. Her methodological approaches include biomechanical analysis, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and innovative technologies like soft robotics for knee bracing. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on understanding knee osteoarthritis mechanisms through biomechanical and physiological lenses, with increasing attention to social determinants of health and health disparities. Her work spans multiple disciplines including rheumatology, biomechanics, rehabilitation science, and public health, demonstrating interdisciplinary collaboration. Key trends include examining racial disparities in pain experiences, developing novel interventions like soft robotic knee braces, and investigating the complex relationships between joint loading, biomarkers, and cartilage changes. Dr. Maly has collaborated extensively with researchers across multiple institutions, as evidenced by her numerous publications in high-impact journals such as Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Arthritis & Rheumatology, and Clinical Biomechanics. Her work often utilizes data from large longitudinal studies including the Osteoarthritis Initiative and the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided text, her extensive publication record suggests successful funding of multiple research projects.

• Knee Osteoarthritis
• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Science
• +7 more

Dr. Angela Alberga is an Associate Professor and Tier 2 University Research Chair at Concordia University's Department of Health, Kinesiology & Applied Physiology. Her research focuses on weight stigma, pediatric obesity, and health equity, with interdisciplinary applications in public health, education, and policy. BSc, Exercise Science & Psychology, Concordia University MSc & PhD, Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Calgary (CIHR & Eyes High Fellowships) Dr. Alberga’s research program investigates how societal and institutional factors influence weight-related issues, including obesity, eating disorders, and psychosocial wellbeing. Her work emphasizes patient-oriented research, behavioral interventions, and evidence synthesis in population health contexts. Recent research trends include clinical practice guidelines for pediatric obesity, weight stigma reduction in healthcare, nutrition education tools for bariatric surgery, and psychosocial impacts of weight bias. Key themes span public health, behavioral epidemiology, and health equity. Canadian Diabetes Association Doctoral Award Banting CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship Eyes High Postdoctoral Fellowship Dr. Alberga supervises graduate students in Health and Exercise Science (MSc/PhD programs) and has secured grants from CIHR, FRQ-S, and the Canadian Pediatric Research Foundation for her work on obesity and health equity.

• Pediatric Obesity
• Weight Stigma
• Health Equity
• +7 more

Dr. Jeremy Walsh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University, joining in 2020. He holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology from Queen’s University and postdoctoral training at the University of Ottawa and University of British Columbia Okanagan. His research focuses on mechanisms linking exercise, behavior, and cognitive health, aiming to develop interventions to optimize brain function across lifespans. Education: Bachelor of Arts (Honours Kinesiology) – Wilfrid Laurier University (2005-2009) MSc and PhD in Exercise Physiology – Queen’s University (2010-2017) Postdoctoral Fellowships: Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (2018-2020) and University of British Columbia Okanagan Research Interests: Dr. Walsh investigates how exercise, diet, sleep, and cognitive engagement impact brain health. Key areas include BDNF signaling, cerebral blood flow, and interventions to mitigate neurological decline. His work spans aging populations, obesity, and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Teaching: Instructor for courses like Psychophysiology of Healthy Living, Exercise Psychology, and Movement Behaviors & Brain Health Supervises independent research projects in kinesiology Key Contributions: His studies on ketone supplementation’s effects on cognition, exercise responses in obesity, and BDNF modulation have been widely cited. Over 60 scholarly outputs since 2013 highlight his exploration of exercise neuroscience and metabolic health. Labs/Teams: Leads research groups studying neurophysiological adaptations to exercise and lifestyle interventions, collaborating with clinical partners in diabetes and spinal cord injury research.

• Cognitive Health
• Exercise Physiology
• Neuroscience
• +3 more

Dr. Karen Yeates is a Professor in the Division of Nephrology at Queen's University's School of Medicine. She holds cross-appointments in the Faculty of Health Sciences and is a member of Queen's Cancer Research Institute and Translational Institute of Medicine. Her work focuses on improving healthcare access through mHealth innovations in global settings, particularly sub-Saharan Africa and Indigenous communities. Education: MD (Queen's University), MPH (Harvard School of Public Health), Fellowship in Nephrology (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Canada). Research interests span global health equity, cardiovascular disease prevention, cervical cancer screening, and mobile health technology. Key projects include leading the PURE Study Tanzania (Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology) and the International Polypill Study for cardiovascular prevention. She pioneered smartphone-based interventions for hypertension management in rural communities and cervical cancer screening in Tanzania. Articles consistently address mHealth implementation, chronic disease epidemiology, and health systems strengthening. Recent work evaluates mobile health tools for malaria prevention and cervical precancer detection in resource-limited settings. Rising Stars in Global Health Award (2024) CIHR-Global Alliance grant for mHealth hypertension projects Principal Investigator for Grand Challenges Canada initiatives Advocates for equitable kidney care globally, contributing to ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas. Co-founded Queen’s University School of Medicine’s Office of Global Health to advance interdisciplinary global health training.

• Global Health
• Nephrology
• Cardiovascular Disease
• +5 more

Dr. Zihang Lu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University, affiliated with the School of Medicine and Faculty of Health Sciences. He holds a PhD and MSc in Biostatistics from the University of Toronto (2020 and 2013) and a BSc in Biostatistics from Southern Medical University (2012). His research focuses on developing novel statistical and machine learning methods for complex data analysis, with applications in clinical and epidemiological studies, particularly in asthma, obesity, sleep, pain, and cancer research. He collaborates with clinicians to address statistical challenges in longitudinal and functional data analysis, Bayesian modeling, and integrative clustering. Education : PhD in Biostatistics, University of Toronto (2020) MSc in Biostatistics, University of Toronto (2013) BSc in Biostatistics, Southern Medical University (2012) Research Interests : Bayesian data analysis and variable selection Longitudinal and functional data clustering High-dimensional data integration Statistical methods for disease subtyping Design and analysis of observational studies Advising & Grants : Current advisees: Caroline Lee (MSc 2022), Veronique Rowley (2021), Zhiwen Tan (PhD 2022), Mojtaba Ahmadiankalati (MSc 2021) Recruiting CANSSI Distinguished Post-Doctoral Fellow for Bayesian methods in longitudinal health data analysis Accepting MSc/PhD students for 2023 Labs & Teams : His team focuses on statistical methodology development and clinical collaborations, with active projects in pediatric lung function (e.g., the CHILD Cohort Study) and chronic disease management.

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiological Research
• Bayesian Analysis
• +4 more

Dr. Chanchal K. Roy is a Professor of Software Engineering/Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), Canada, and Director of the NSERC CREATE SOAR program. He leads the Software Research Lab (SRLab) and is renowned for his work on code clone detection (NiCad tool) and software maintenance. His research spans software evolution, big data analytics, and quantum computing applications in software engineering. Dr. Roy holds a Ph.D. from Queen’s University, an M.Sc. from RWTH Aachen University, and a B.Sc. from Khulna University. Research interests include software clone detection, maintenance, and evolution, with emphasis on semantic analysis and cross-language clones. He has published over 240 papers (h-index 52) and attracted $6M+ in funding, including NSERC grants and CFI-JELF support. Awards include the GSA Advising Excellence Award, Outstanding Young Computer Science Researcher Award, and multiple Most Influential Paper awards. Key contributions include developing NiCad, advancing Stack Overflow search techniques, and leading collaborative projects in software analytics. His work has been featured in ACM Tech News, TechRepublic, and Stack Overflow blogs. Dr. Roy actively engages in keynotes at conferences like WCRE, IWSC, and BIM.

• Software Engineering
• Software Maintenance and Evolution
• Code Clone Detection
• +3 more