Director, Principal Investigator

PhD, PT

Denise Connelly is an Associate Professor in the School of Physical Therapy and an Associate Vice-Provost, Academic Planning, Policy & Faculty. Denise works with several postdoctoral fellows currently, has supervised 8 doctoral, 14 masters, 61 professional masters/nursing masters/undergraduate students and serves on several doctoral student advisory committees. She has held ~$2 million in tri-council agency and competitive funding grants as PI or co-investigator; and has had her research adopted in LTC homes and LTC organizations (e.g., 2- minute walk test, wheeled mobility measure, VON SMART® program). Currently, Dr Connelly leads several different strong multi-professional teams of researchers as PI exploring RPN related topics: 1) resilience in RPNs working in LTC homes and 2) in HCC settings (both in partnership with the WeRPN); 3) the implementation of a virtual care planning framework (in partnership with P.I.E.C.E.S.TM Canada) to enhance engagement of family and RPNs in care planning with residents in partner LTC homes; and 4) the experiences and nursing practices of RPNs working on inpatient rehabilitation units.

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8138-1746

Google Scholar

Email: dconnell@uwo.ca

University Faculty Profile

Research Scientist

PhD, MPT, MSc, BSc

Nicole is a Research Scientist at The University of Western Ontario. She completed her combined PhD and Master’s degree in Physical Therapy with an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Master of Science in Neuroscience, and undergraduate degree in Psychology at Western. Nicole studied the impact of exercise on executive functioning in older adults, physiotherapists’ understanding of executive functioning, and how executive functioning is impacted by chronic pain during her doctoral work. During her appointment as a Mitacs Postdoctoral Associate, Nicole studied the impact of COVID-19 on Registered Practical Nurses’ resilience in long-term care. Currently, Nicole is researching how to recruit and retain nurses within long-term care and home and community care settings in Ontario, retaining her interest in older adults and rehabilitation as part of the Ontario Bridging Educational Grants in Nursing.

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2770-2179

Google Scholar

Email: nguitar@uwo.ca

Post-Doctoral Associate

PhD, CTRS, MA, BRLS

Kristin is a postdoctoral associate in the School of Physical Therapy at Western University. Kristin has been working with older adults for over 14 years and was inspired to conduct both her master’s and doctoral research based on her time working as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in the long-term care, hospital, and community sectors. She recently completed her dissertation at Western University with Dr. Carri Hand on the role of leisure in older adults moving to new homes. Previously, Kristin completed her master’s education at Brock University, where she focused on exploring the perceived gerontological competencies of recreation professionals working in long term care homes in Ontario. Currently, she is working with the Connelly research team on several projects to develop strategies to recruit, retain, and revitalize the nursing workforce in the long-term care and home and community care sectors.

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3891-5524

Google Scholar

Email: kprenti4@uwo.ca

Post-Doctoral Associate

PhD, MPT, BSc

Melissa is a Postdoctoral Associate at Western University. She completed her Master of Physical Therapy degree at Western in 2016. Before pursuing physiotherapy, she received an undergraduate degree from Western in 2011 with an honours specialization in Biology and a minor in Psychology. In 2018, she completed her doctorate degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the field of Physical Therapy with her area of research exploring exercise for older adults with chronic back pain. Melissa’s clinical experience as a physiotherapist allows her to understand the requirements of compassionate, patient-centered care within a complex global healthcare environment. She is particularly drawn to research projects, which exemplify innovation in research methods and translate knowledge from research to clinical practice for enhanced patient care. During her appointment as Postdoctoral Associate, Melissa studied implementation of the PIECESTM approach using virtual care conferences for individuals with responsive behaviours living in long-term care during COVID-19.

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8675-5441

Google Scholar

Email: mhay23@uwo.ca

PhD Candidate

RMT, CAT(C)

Ashley is a PhD Candidate at the University of Western Ontario. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Queen’s University, her Honours Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences - Athletic Therapy degree at Sheridan College, and her Registered Massage Therapy diploma at the Ontario College of Health & Technology. She has been a practicing Certified Athletic Therapist for six years and a practicing Registered Massage Therapist for five years. Her current research with Dr. Connelly focuses on how primary care practitioners refer their older adult patients with hip or knee replacements to community exercise programs, patient satisfaction a year post-surgery for hip or knee replacements, and long-term patient return to meaningful activity and physical function post-hip or knee replacement.

PhD Student

MSc, HBSc

A.J. is a Registered Kinesiologist currently completing his PhD at Western University. He completed his MSc in Kinesiology at Western and HBSc in Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph. A.J. started his own Kinesiology practice in May of 2016; working with individuals facing age-related injury and illness to improve their strength, mobility, and confidence. A.J.’s work has involved frequent correspondence with family caregivers who he views as critical members of his clients’ care team. It was this special connection which inspired him to pursue research with the goal of increasing the capacity for physical exercise and rehabilitation programs within long-term care homes. Currently, A.J. is researching how family caregivers and physical therapists correspond to improve the health and well-being of residents within long-term care.

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2021-6672

Google Scholar

Email: asteph8@uwo.ca

Masters Student

BHSc, RMT

Amanda is a graduate student at the University of Western Ontario. She is completing her Master of Science degree in Health Professional Education from the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program in the faculty of Health Sciences. Amanda also completed her undergraduate degree in Health Science at the University of Western Ontario. After completing her BHSc degree, she became a registered massage therapist (RMT) and is a professor at Fanshawe College in the Faculty of Health, Community Studies and Public Safety for the massage therapy program. Amanda is currently researching the nature of massage therapy for preterm infants in a level II neonatal intensive care unit in Southwestern Ontario. She also received the 2020 Fanshawe Research Grant

Email: arpluss@uwo.ca

Research Assistant

Previous Undergraduate Summer Research Intern (USRI)

Medical Sciences Undergraduate Student

Mehvish is a research assistant at The University of Western Ontario. She is currently in her 4th year of undergraduate studies, completing an Honours Specialization in Interdisciplinary Medical Science (IMS). Throughout her undergraduate degree, she has been heavily involved within the campus community as a member of the UWO Debate Society and she has been taken part in co-authoring multiple non-fiction books. She is passionate about mental health and has been involved with designing a program for those in the GTA. Currently, Mehvish is assisting in a scoping review regarding the role of allied health professionals in geriatric nursing.

Email: mmasoo24@uwo.ca

Undergraduate Summer Research Intern (USRI)

Biology Undergraduate Student

Hailey Killeen is an Undergraduate Summer Research Intern at the University of Western Ontario. She is in her last year of undergraduate studies, completing an Honours Specialization in Biology with a Minor in Medical Sciences. Having served as a Care Support Assistant in a Long-Term Care home, Hailey has shown a consistent focus on geriatric care, which strengthens her commitment to her present research. Hailey is assisting in a scoping review regarding the transitional experiences of recent graduate nurses into practice in long-term care and/or home and community care sectors

Email: hkilleen@uwo.ca

Undergraduate Summer Research Intern (USRI)

Health and Aging Undergraduate Student

David is a research assistant at The University of Western Ontario. He is currently in his 3rd year of undergraduate studies, completing an Honours Specialization in Health and Aging. Throughout his undergraduate degree, he has been actively engaged with the aging population, including working as a Recreational Aide at a retirement home, being a member of the Seniors in IT club at the university and taking part in functional fitness assessments for the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging. He is passionate about continuing his studies in this field and dedicating his career goals to helping older adults.

Email: omorales@uwo.ca

Research Assistant

Deirdre is a graduate student completing her MSc in Anatomical Sciences at Queen’s University. She recently completed her Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Western University with a double major in physiology and medical cell biology. Deirdre was the recipient of joint Undergraduate Student Research Internship (USRI) and Collaborative Specialization in Musculoskeletal Health Research (CMHR) scholarships in the summer of 2022, which allowed her to conduct research in a physiology lab focused on osteoarthritis. Deirdre’s experience volunteering in two long-term care homes ignited her passion for improving care for older adults and she is excited to be assisting with research towards that goal.

Research Assistant

George Triantafillakis is a 4th year undergraduate student at Western University working towards an Honours Specialization in Clinical Kinesiology and a minor in Rehabilitation Sciences. Throughout his undergraduate degrees he has played an active role in many clubs and student councils such as the VP Events on the Faculty of Health Sciences Students Council and a volunteer for the USC Food Support Services. He has a passion for exploring rehabilitation, chronic conditions, and mental health being a Crisis Responder for the Kids Support Services. He is hoping to pursue a career in physiotherapy while continuing to explore areas of research.

Research Assistant

Cassidi is a research assistant at The University of Western Ontario. She is currently in her 4th year of undergraduate studies, completing an Honours Specialization in Kinesiology, minor in Dance. Throughout her undergraduate degree Cassidi has been involved in student governance as the VP Events for the Kinesiology Students Association, as well as a voting member of the Faculty of Health Sciences Student Council. Cassidi is passionate about rehabilitation sciences and has furthered this passion through her time as a varsity student trainer for the Western Womens Hockey team, and the U16 Junior Mustangs Football team. Cassidi is currently assisting in a study investigating the personal factors that influence the use of community support services by rural-living older adults.