Meet the Team

Dr. Veronica Guadagni, PhD

Originally from Italy, I obtained a Master in Neuroscience from the University of L’Aquila. I moved to Canada in 2011 to start a PhD in Brain and Cognitive Sciences in the Department of Psychology, which I completed in 2017. In June 2017, I joined the Laboratory of Human Cerebrovascular Physiology as a Postdoctoral Fellow.

Since then I have been working on the BIM I study findings; specifically, the effects of a six-month aerobic exercise intervention on sleep, brain health, and cognition. I have also worked on the study's main results: the effects of aerobic exercise on cerebrovascular regulation and executive function, memory, and attention. I am currently involved in the data collection and analyses from BIM II. I am supported by an Alzheimer Society Research program (ASRP) Postdoctoral Fellowship and by the O’Brien Institute Centre of Aging.

I am a mother of a smart and active 6-year-old, Mia, and I love to spend my free time in the mountains snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, and climbing with my family.

Dr. Nick Bray, PhD, CSEP-CEP

Originally from Newfoundland, I obtained my PhD from Western University; my dissertation centred on describing functional brain connectivity's role in the relationship of multimodal interventions to improve cognitive and physical function in vulnerable (frailty & mild cognitive impairment) older adults. I joined the Lab of Human Cerebrovascular Physiology as a Postdoctoral Associate in June of 2022.

Previously, I have led or assisted in randomized controlled trials to improve various health-related outcomes, in addition to longitudinal, cross-sectional, and review studies that provided a better understanding of pathophysiology. As part of the Lab of Human Cerebrovascular Physiology, I am exploring the relationship between physical frailty and cerebrovascular outcomes. More specifically, how physical frailty may moderate the relationship between cerebral blood flow and functional brain connectivity. I am currently supported by the University of Calgary’s Eyes High Postdoctoral Funding Program.

You can find me camping with my wife, son, and dog in my free time.

Kennedy Paterson, BA (Research Psychometrist)

Since graduating from the University of British Columbia in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, I have been passionate about practicing psychometry in numerous different settings including brain injury, clinical assessment, and disability.

As the Research Psychometrist for the Brain In Motion study, I administer and score the Cognitive Function Assessment and Clinical Dementia Rating assessment – The brain stuff!

While also pursuing my master’s degree in Counselling, I love to hike with my dog, spend time with friends and family, and go to the lake to surf in my free time.

Chelsea Ziegler, MPH (Study Coordinator)

Originally from Saskatchewan, I completed both my undergraduate degrees (microbiology/immunology and biochemistry) and Masters (public health) at the University of Saskatchewan. Within public health, I am interested in looking at the cause and distribution of conditions (chronic and infectious).

In the lab, I coordinate the Brain in Motion I & II Studies including scheduling, tracking, and organizing the study, which involves a lot of phone calls and emails. I am often the first point of contact for our wonderful participants. 

Outside the lab, I love spending time crafting (currently cross-stitching) while watching documentaries, trying new foods/restaurants, and spending time with my fiancé, friends and adorable pup.

Courtney Ellis, MSc (Kin), CSEP-CEP (Research Specialist / Exercise Physiologist)

I am a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and High Performance Specialist through the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology. I also received a Master of Science degree studying Kinesiology, specializing in neuroscience, from the University of Waterloo. My research interests in this field include the beneficial effects of physical activity and exercise on brain function, cognitive performance, and physical health, particularly in the older adult population. I am also passionate about community outreach, health promotion events and programming and translating exercise research to real-world settings.   

In the lab I support the ongoing research initiatives of the Principal Investigators in the Clinical and Translational Exercise Physiology (CTEP) Laboratory. Specifically, I support the coordination and administration of research programs and projects related to exercise and metabolic testing, exercise training, cardiovascular testing as well as data processing, interpretation, and documentation. 

In my spare time, I enjoy running outside, exercising at the gym, singing, and watching sitcoms and documentaries. 

Brad Hanson BA (Kin) HFFC-CEP (Lab Manager)

So far, my journey has extended across 3 provinces. Beginning in Ontario, attending, and working at Western University for many years with the School of Kinesiology until I was presented with an opportunity to go west. This led my wife and I to pack-up all our belongings, sell the house and head to Alberta. My first post was with Dr. Marc Poulin and the University of Calgary. My time in Marc’s lab was exciting and full of new learning experiences. But my calling to go west was not complete. We decided to continue our trek west and explore British Columbia, where I was offered an opportunity to do field work on Wildland Firefighters and Ultra Marathoners with the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. After a few years in Vancouver, we started our trek back east with a stop in Kelowna and UBCO, where I worked as a Lab Coordinator in Human Kinetics. Then our final stop back at U of C and Marc Poulin’s lab.

I have found my journey so far, not only eventful, but a truly captivating experience. I also believe that family and friends are very important to one’s quality of life, and this model must be preserved at all costs. In the past few years my family has grown almost 2-fold and their reflection on life has guided me on many more adventures around the world; my voyage is just beginning.

Dalia Ghoneim, MPH, CSEP-CEP (Health Behaviour Support)

I conduct the Health Behaviour phone calls with the Brain in Motion II Study to assist participants in reaching their exercise goals. I am a Clinical Exercise Physiologist with a Master’s in Public Health. I have always been passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and assisting people in making sustainable changes to reach their exercise and health related goals.

In my free time, I enjoy staying active through yoga, exercising at the gym, getting outdoors and hiking in the mountains, and I also love to read.

Eryka Haley, RN (Research Associate)

I am a professional nurse involved with the BIM since 2011. I have extensive professional experience as an educator, manager, and clinician in several areas such as emergency, cardiac surgery, gerontology and neurology. I am a graduate of the Royal Victoria Hospital School of Nursing and of McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.

At the lab, I assist with BIM II recruitment, screening, and testing, and in communications with participants and their physician's offices. I greatly enjoy meeting the participants and working with the young researchers in the lab.

In my free time, I can be found, gardening, reading, swimming, and now, playing with my twin grandchildren. 

Haley Young, BSc (Brain in Motion II Exercise Trainer)

I am the current Stretch & Tone Exercise Trainer for the Brain in Motion II Study.  I graduated in 2019 from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Health Physiology.  I have been involved with the Brain in Motion Studies since 2019 when I was an undergraduate practicum student and summer student researcher in the Clinical and Translational Exercise Physiology (CTEP) Laboratory.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, playing sports with my friends, and being active with my dog.  This fall, I am excited to be joining the University of Calgary’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2026!

Natalie Yeung, MSc, BSc (Brain in Motion II Exercise Trainer)

I am the Aerobic Exercise Trainer for Brain in Motion II. As a trainer, I engage directly with participants and lead them through the aerobic exercise intervention while collecting data for the study. I recently received a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology, specializing in sensorimotor neuroscience at the University of Calgary. 

In my free time, I enjoy walking my two Beagles, painting, and volunteering for The Hatch and Good Neighbour Community Market. 

Dr. Matiram Pun, MBBS, MSc, PhD (c)

I am from Nepal and am a PhD student in the lab. My interest in Mountain Medicine and High Altitude Illness Pathophysiology brought me to the University of Calgary's graduate program in that field. Being born and raised in the mid-hills of Nepal and trekking extensively in the Nepal Himalayas, I became enthused during my medical school days with high altitude hypoxia and its consequences on the human body.

Currently, my focus is on Sleep-Disordered Breathing, especially Obstructive Sleep Apnea; i.e. intermittent hypoxia in the controlled laboratory environment. Next, I am studying the effects of acute, subacute and chronic exposure to very high altitude; i.e. high altitude sojourners, low-landers working at high altitude for a longer period of time, and high altitude residents. 

Fundings and Awards

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Doctoral Research Award (2022)
• Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships for Data-Enabled Innovation (2020)
• Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (2020/2021)
• NSERC BRAIN CREATE Graduate Scholarship (2020)
• University of Calgary Dean's International Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship (2019/2020)

Connor Snow, BSc

Currently, I am a masters student in the lab focusing on neuroscience. I have recently graduated from the University of Calgary with a BSc in Exercise and Health Physiology. My interests in health and physical fitness led me to develop a greater understanding of physiology and the role that physical activity has in the prevention of morbidity and mortality. I also have a personal passion to further investigate Alzheimer's disease and Dementia.

My research pertains to how physiological biomarkers and healthy lifestyles can be used to predict or indicate risk for future cognitive decline and how exercise may modify these risk factors to attenuate or mitigate risk for later cognitive dysfunction in the context of the Brain in Motion study.

In my leisure time, I enjoy physical activities and exploring the outdoors. I also volunteer at the Rockyview Hospital in the Emergency Department and coach for the Calgary Sledge Hockey Association. 

Alison Donald, HBSc, PhD (c)

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience. I’ve completed a HBSc at the University of Toronto, St. George, majoring in Neuroscience and Cell & Molecular biology.

My research interest is the reactivity of the cerebrovasculature with aging, and its relationship to aerobic fitness capacity in the Brain in Motion study. I am also interested in how arterial stiffening can be improved or delayed with exercise. 

In my spare time I am learning Vietnamese and Mandarin. I also enjoy gardening in the summer and helping at my family's flower shop. 

David Adriano

I am currently undergoing my Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Within the lab, I help out with data collections regarding BIM I and II participants and PPCS participants, as well as help manage data entry! Outside of the lab and school, I love to weightlift and spend my time in the mountains, as well as paint and play my instruments from time to time.

Kaia Ybema

I am a summer co-op student from the University of Victoria, and am pursuing my Bachelors of Science in Biology, with a concentration in Neurobiology. Within the Brain in Motion study, I am focusing primarily on the fields of proteomics and metabolomics, as well as helping with participants and tasks around the lab. 

Outside of the Poulin lab, I enjoy spending time outside with friends, family, and my dog. I have a passion for travelling outside of Canada, but locally as well

Harshita Gauba

I am in my fifth year of Bachelor of Kinesiology at University of Calgary. As a novel researcher, I am interested in developing my skills in sleep physiology, and its influences on various bodily systems. Currently, I am investigating relationships between the odd ratio product of sleep depth, conventional sleep architecture, and cerebrovascular parameters.

Outside the lab, I enjoy engaging in visual arts and graphic designing. I keep myself involved in the community by volunteering at various platforms such as the local physiotherapy clinic and Peter Lougheed Hospital. As President of the Mental Health Awareness Club, I volunteered with the UCalgary community throughout the pandemic by organising de-stressing activities for students. My passion to create a meaningful change in any discipline/community I am involved in, motivated me to strive toward making a contribution to the field of my studies.