NORTH PA Lab

Happy Tuesday!! We'd like you to meet another fantastic member of our NORTH PA Lab! 📣

Today we are excited to introduce Aidan Haghgoo! Aidan is currently pursuing their Master of Science in Kinesiology, and their research focus is incredibly important and timely: transgender experiences in sport.

Specifically, Aidan is currently investigating the experiences of athletic staff with transphobia and how these experiences can influence their ability to effectively interact with and support their transgender athletes. This research shares valuable insights for creating more inclusive and supportive sporting environments.

Beyond their academic pursuits, Aidan brings a wealth of experience in the realm of equity, diversity, and inclusion. They are deeply committed to fostering positive change and understanding within sport and beyond. Adding to their impressive background, Aidan is also a proud alumni of the varsity cross country running team!

We're so excited about the important contributions Aidan is making to our lab and the broader field of sport psychology.

🎉 We'd like to make a special shout-out to Cassidy Brooks, Master of Science in Kinesiology student, for her incredible success in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition this year! 🎉

Last month, Cass won the Nipissing University 3MT with her presentation, "More Than Sport - Youth: Supporting Youth Academy Athletes Through Sport Career Transitions." On Wednesday, Cass travelled to the University of Toronto alongside her supervisor, Dr. Mark Bruner, and Associate Vice-President of Research, Innovation & Graduate Studies, Dr. Barbi Law, where she delivered an absolutely outstanding performance at the regional competition!!

We're so proud to have Cass representing the NORTH PA Lab and Nipissing University with such passion and expertise. Her research is making a real difference in how we understand and support young athletes. Way to go, Cass!

Happy Tuesday!! This week it is our pleasure to introduce to you Dr. Meredith Schertzinger! Meredith is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Mark Bruner!

But that's not all!! Meredith is also sharing her expertise as a course instructor for PHED 2026 Sport and Exercise Psychology AND as an assistant coach for the Nipissing University women’s soccer team. Meredith has also acted as a mentor, guide, and sounding board for the MSc Kin students in our lab!!

Meredith's passion for Sport Psychology stems from her own experience as a Division 1 soccer player, where she recognized the need for more accessible mental performance support. This drive led her to pursue a Master’s in Sport Psychology at the University of Stirling in Scotland, followed by a PhD at the University of St Andrews, also in Scotland. Her doctoral research explored physical activity behaviour during the pandemic using Self-Determination Theory and the Social Identity Approach.

Currently, Meredith's research focuses on the intersection of team identity, well-being, and proactive preparation for athletes navigating sports career transitions.

Outside of her academic and coaching life, you can find Meredith enjoying the beautiful nature around North Bay with her dog, Freyja, on lakeside walks and woodsy hikes. 🐕🌲

We are so fortunate to have Dr. Schertzinger as part of our team!!

Happy !! Today we'd like to introduce Cade Nolan, a dedicated MSc Kin student at Nipissing University, from Garden River First Nation, Ontario.

Cade's journey to Nipissing University is marked by a passion for sports and a commitment to education. He holds a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from Nipissing University, a Bachelor of Science in Applied Strength and Conditioning from the Limerick Institute of Technology, and a college diploma from Canadore College 🏋️‍♂️

His research at Nipissing focuses on the positive impact of sports on Indigenous youth development, guided by the expertise of Dr. Mark Bruner.

Outside of the classroom, Cade is a driving force in the Nipissing University athletic community. He serves as the Strength and Conditioning coach for both the Women's Basketball and Men's Hockey teams, demonstrating his dedication to athlete development and performance.

Cade's story is one of academic excellence, athletic prowess, and a commitment to empowering Indigenous youth!

We are proud to have him as part of the Nipissing University Kinesiology program and the NORTH PA Lab!!

Happy Earth Day!🌎

Together, we have the power to impact future generations! Today is a great day to reflect on the important connection between planetary health and our own well-being.

Consider taking some time today to explore this link. How does a healthy planet contribute to our own health and happiness? Think about the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the natural spaces that nourish our minds and bodies.

One simple yet powerful way to care for our planet and ourselves is through active transportation! Whether you choose to walk, bike, or roll, you're reducing your carbon footprint while boosting your physical and mental health. It truly is a win-win! 🚴‍♂️

Want to learn more about the connection between our health and the environment, and discover ways you can make a difference? Head over to our resource repository for more information:
https://northpa.nipissingu.ca/active-transportation.../

Happy Tuesday!!👋

Today we're excited to highlight Negar, a second-year Kinesiology Master's student working under the guidance of Dr. Brenda Bruner. Negar's research in rehabilitation science is making an impact, and outside of her academic commitments, Negar is a certified personal trainer, inspiring others to achieve their fitness goals. Plus, she's a powerhouse on the Nipissing University Varsity Rowing team! When she's not rowing or researching, you'll find her hiking, biking, running, or skiing!!

We're incredibly proud to have Negar on our team! Her dedication and diverse talents enrich our lab and the entire Nipissing community.

🚴‍♀️☀️

With the snow melting and warmer weather on the horizon, it's the perfect time to get kids excited about cycling!

Check out this awesome Learn2Ride program- a resource that can be found in the repository on our website!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kGbTDFQzfs

This introductory cycling course for grade 4-5 students teaches them essential road rules, safety tips, and bike-handling skills. The Learn2Ride program is a part of HUB cycling's free online learning that includes webinars and full courses for adults and youth!

Let's empower our young ones to explore their neighbourhoods safely and confidently on two wheels! Click the link below for more active transportation resources in our online repository:
https://northpa.nipissingu.ca/active-transportation-resources/

Learn2Ride - a HUB Bike to School program A beginner course for grades 4-5, HUB Learn2Ride is a playground-based introductory cycling skills and safety course.In Learn2Ride, students are taught how t...

Happy Tuesday! Today we would like to introduce to you an awesome lab member who deserves a huge round of applause!!👏

Meet Sophia Milner, who has not only been working hard on her research in the lab but stepped into the spotlight over the past month to present her work at the 3-Minute Thesis competition and the Eastern Canada Sport & Exercise Psychology Symposium. Soph has also been successfully navigating the demands of her first year in the Master's program while balancing rigorous training schedules, games, and travel as a varsity basketball player at Nipissing!

Soph, your hard work, dedication, and passion are truly inspiring to us all in the lab. You embody what it means to be a driven and multi-talented individual. We are so lucky to have you as part of our team!

Keep shining bright! ✨

We are so proud of all 3 of our lab members who competed in the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) 2025 competition at Nipissing last Tuesday!! Sophia Milner, Jaden Gilbert, and Cassidy Brooks rocked the stage while presenting their current thesis topics in the Master of Science in Kinesiology program. These ladies highlighted and discussed important research happening within our lab!

Sophia Milner shared her wonderful work in Chaos to Cohesion: Helping Coaches Build Team Identity with T4Us. Jaden Gilbert shared her passion for Changing the Game: Exploring Gender and Violence in Youth Basketball, and earned herself the People's Choice Award. While Cassidy Brooks presented her work on More Than Sport - Youth: Supporting Youth Academy Athletes Through Sport Career Transitions which earned her first place and a trip to regionals!! Way to go! 🏆

How do you explain groundbreaking research in just three minutes? Seven Nipissing University graduate students did just that on April 1! Congratulations to all participants in this year’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition, where students transformed complex ideas into engaging presentations.
A special shoutout to winner Cassidy Brooks, runner-up Kieran Martin, and People’s Choice recipient, Jaden Gilbert! Cassidy is off to the regional competition May 14, good luck! Learn more at https://www.nipissingu.ca/news/2025/graduate-students-showcase-innovative-research-nipissing-universitys-three-minute-thesis

We’d like to send a huge congratulations to Cassidy Brooks, Sophia Milner, Rebecca Misiasz and Regan Jackson for presenting their research at Eastern Canada Sport and Exercise Symposium (ECSEPS) 2025 hosted by Western University! ✨

Dr. Barbi Law attended the conference alongside our students and showed her support as they showcased the cutting-edge work happening in our lab and at Nipissing University! Nipissing showed up and showed out as these students discussed their research on referee abuse, stress and coping in athletes, coach-athlete interactions and observation interventions in sport!!

We’d like to also shoutout the amazing support these students received along the way from Dr. Mark Bruner, Dr. Meredith Schertzinger and Dr. Brenda Bruner as they prepared for the conference this year!

Huge congratulations to our amazing lab team member, Rebecca Misiasz, for winning the Dave Marshall Leadership Award yesterday! 🏆 We're incredibly proud of your dedication, hard work, and inspiring leadership in our lab, at the university and in the North Bay community.

Dr. Mark Bruner, Dr. Meredith Schertzinger and lab members Sophia Milner and Cassidy Brooks were excited to take part in the celebrations and to support Rebecca as she received this well-deserved recognition. Rebecca’s contributions to our team and the broader scientific community are truly invaluable!!

This week we are happy to introduce Maria Cristina Aguillera Valle, a second year student in the MSc Kin program! 👋

Originally from Brazil, she relocated to North Bay in 2023. Her research focuses on Equine Assisted Learning, professional quality of life, and compassion fatigue. She is excited to work alongside her supervisor, Dr. Kristina Karvinen. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing with and caring for her pets, and photographing Lake Nipissing sunsets!