Assistant Professor
School of Physical Therapy, Western University
Gray Centre for Mobility and Activity, Parkwood Institute
Current Lab Members
Nathan Durand - Research Assistant
Nathan Durand is a Physiotherapist working in inpatient Complex Care at Parkwood Institute. He received his Bachelor’s of Health Science (BHSc) and Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) From Western University, and has been working in musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation since beginning his career in 2019. Nathan enjoys walking with and learning from his patients every day, and has a passion for furthering his knowledge both clinically and academically. He has a passion for neuroscience and is seeking to contribute to research that connects science with rehabilitation. Nathan is excited to support the Peters Lab with new research on the use of fNIRS and FES cycling in the stroke population. Beyond work, you can often find Nathan spending time with his family, doing puzzles, and reading science fiction.
Siying Luan - MSc student
Siying Luan is a Master's student in physical therapy at the University of Western. Her master's research focuses on determining the effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation cycling on cortical brain activation changes in people who have had a stroke. She finished her undergraduate in Western University with an Honours Specialization in Health Science with a minor in Psychology. When Siying is not busy doing research, she enjoys playing instruments (piano and guitar) and playing sports with her friends and family.
Sarthak Kohli - MSc student
Sarthak Kohli is a first year Master of Science Student in the Health and Rehabilitation sciences program in the Physical Therapy field at Western University. Sarthak graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. His current research project is focused on exploring cortical activation and balance control while reducing fatigue levels for rehabilitation post-stroke.
Justin Watts - MSc Student
Justin is a Mater’s student in the Neuroscience program at the University of Western Ontario. His Master’s research is focused on investigating the effects of various lower extremity somatosensory stimulation and posture variation on cortical activation using fNIRS in healthy participants to examine naturalistic mobility. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Specialization in Kinesiology. Outside of the lab, he enjoys travelling, exercising, and spending time with friends and family.
Konstantinos Tsikrikis - Undergraduate Student
Konstantinos Tsikrikis is a fourth-year Clinical Kinesiology student exploring the manipulation of lower extremity somatosensory stimulation type and posture to see its effects on cortical activation. He also co-founded a media production company that turns published research papers into short-form social media videos to promote the public outreach of important research called Minutestudy on Instagram.
Fraser MacRae - Combined MPT/PhD Student
Fraser MacRae is a student in the combined Master of Physical Therapy and PhD program at Western University. He received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (Hons.) from the University of Victoria. Fraser’s primary research interest is in the neuroplasticity of stroke rehabilitation, explicitly focusing on novel interventions for post-stroke spasticity. Fraser enjoys hiking, surfing, camping, and climbing in his spare time.
Nellie Krougly - BSc Honours Specialization in Neuroscience
Nellie Krougly is a fourth year undergraduate student in the Honours Specialization in Neuroscience program at Western. After completing a third year independent study project in the lab, she is now working on her honours thesis. She is interested in using TMS to investigate the effects of attention during a motor task on cortical excitability. In addition to neuroscience, Nellie enjoys playing and teaching piano, weightlifting, and baking.
Lexie Delisle - BSc Kinesiology
Lexie Delisle is a Western Scholar undergraduate student studying a BSc in Kinesiology at Western University. She is currently completing an Undergraduate Summer Research Internship with a primary research focus on the effects of exercise rehabilitation characteristics on stroke outcomes. Outside of her academics, she is a varsity athlete on the Western women’s lacrosse team, enjoys playing piano, and is the President of motionball Western - a non-profit organization in support of Special Olympics Canada.
Former Lab Members
Yunyi Yan - Undergraduate Student
Yunyi was an undergradate student completing her Honours BA in Kinesiology. Specifically, her work focused on the link between aerobic exercise intensity and motor recovery. Her non-academic interests include jogging, reading, and exploring new places with friends. She is starting the MPT program at Western in fall 2023.
Emma Wardhaugh - NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Intern
Emma Wardhaugh was a summer research student. She examined the effect of posture and foot somatosensory input on brain activation using fNIRS technology. She completed her undergraduate at Western University with an Honours Specialization in Health Sciences with Biology and will begin studying medicine at Schulich in Fall 2022.