MyMSK Lab Members

M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering - 2nd year

Christina completed her BSc in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in biomedical engineering at the University of Calgary in 2021. She is currently completing an MSc in Biomedical Engineering specializing in wearable technology. Her research is focused on determining how different types of physical activity impact bone accrual in children and adolescents. She is especially interested in using free-living physical activity data collected using accelerometers, to refine physical activity guidelines for children and adolescents, particularly aimed at improving their bone health. Outside of school Christina enjoys exploring the mountains, crocheting, and finding new places to get a delicious cup of coffee.

If you are curious about her work, you can reach her at christina.alexander@ucalgary.ca or through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-alexander-8a5088160/

M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering - 2nd year

Erin completed her undergraduate degree in Natural Science concentrating in Biology and Chemistry at the University of Calgary in 2022. She is currently pursuing her MSc in Biomedical Engineering under the co-supervision of Dr. Leigh Gabel and Dr. Elizabeth Condliffe in the Movement and Musculoskeletal Lab (MyMSK) and Pediatric Onset of Neuromotor Impairments Lab (PONI). Erin's research focuses on bone and muscle health in children with mobility impairments.

To learn more about Erin's work, you can reach her at erin.hodgson1@ucalgary.ca 

M.Sc. Kinesiology - 1st year

Leah completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology (2006) and Masters of Kinesiology (2023) at the University of Calgary and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Kinesiology. Leah has extensive experience in strength and conditioning, and exercise physiology with over 20 years as a coach and personal trainer. Her current research seeks to understand how high intensity strength and impact training affect bone density in early menopause, and how to implement such program safely and effectively to this demographic.

If you are interested in Leah's work and would ike to know more, you can reach her at Leah.Kaluta@ucalgary.ca

M.Sc. Kinesiology - 1st year

Hailing from the east coast of Canada, Patrick completed his bachelors of Science of Kinesiology at Dalhousie University in 2021, then returned in 2022 to complete an honors. He is currently working with Dr. Gabel and Leah on the STOP-EM project looking at preventing the onset of osteoporosis in menopausal women. Apart from changes in bone and muscle during exercise, Patrick is also interested in sport science, specifically in ice hockey and volleyball. During his free time, you can find Pat at the gym coaching volleyball, playing badminton or exploring the city of Calgary. 

If you have any questions related to Patrick's work, you can email him at patrick.whitman@ucalgary.ca or message him on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrick-whitman-46793b16a 

Honours Thesis Student

B.Sc. Honours Kinesiology - 4th Year

Egi is interested in the intersection between musculoskeletal health, the gut microbiome, and socioeconomic barriers to health. She hopes to create science backed programs that bring quality nutrition to at risk populations in order to promote musculoskeletal and overall health. Her current projects include exploring the differences in bone outcomes for children with arthritis compared to healthy controls as well as creating centile graphs for bone outcomes in Asian and white girls and boys. In her free time she likes to read, knit, and longboard.

Feel free to contact Egi at egi.vasil@ucalgary.ca if you have any questions about her work.

Honours Thesis Student

B.Sc. Biomechanics - 4th Year

Maahika is a Biomechanics student with a passion for gut-microbiome and bone research. She is currently working on a scoping review highlighting the interactions between probiotic, prebiotic and symbiotic interventions on bone health parameters (i.e. bone mineral density) across the lifespan. Outside the lab, Maahika loves escaping to the mountains, running and writing/reading poetry!

To contact Maahika, you can reach her at maahika.mehta@ucalgary.ca or through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maahika-mehta-1b2b1a206 

Honours Thesis Student

B.A. Dance/ B.Kinesiology - 5th Year

Maddy is in her final year of the combined dance and kinesiology program and is interested in the overlap between dance and health. Her current project, co-supervised by Dr. Sarah Kenny, is focused on analyzing injury types and locations across growth and maturation in pre-professional ballet dancers. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors, continuing her dance training through classes and performances across Calgary, and reading.

To contact Maddy please reach out through email at: madeleine.graham@ucalgary.ca