Our team

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

rafael fujita

Rafa is a Brazilian-Japanese postdoctoral fellow from São Paulo, Brazil. His research focuses on how the nervous system controls muscle activation and movement, with particular interests in motor units, EMG, strength training, co-contraction, and neuromuscular adaptations. Rafa grew up practicing a variety of sports, including swimming, soccer, jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing, and has always enjoyed experiencing different sports and forms of physical activity. He is a kinesiologist with a master’s degree in Sport Sciences and a PhD in Health Sciences.

matias fröhlich

Bio coming soon!

PhD Students

Riley Pike

Riley is a first year PhD student who recently completed his MSc. He was born in New Tecumseth, ON, and raised in Harbour Grace, NL. Riley studies individual motor unit behaviour in relation to intrinsic muscle mechanics. He grew up playing hockey, soccer and ball hockey. Through these experiences, Riley began coaching soccer and developed an interest in physical and mental health promotion through physical activity. Riley is a CKA-affiliated Kinesiologist and he hopes to continue contributing to the healthcare field through both research and clinical practice.

Kaitlyn Sutton

Kait is a first year PhD student who recently completed her MSc. She was raised just out of St. Johns, in the warmer and sunnier town of Conception Bay South. She grew up playing sports, camping and causing havoc around her house with her four siblings and two golden labs. Kait loves to be outdoors, whether it’s a run, a swim in a pond, or simply throwing a frisbee around in a field. Her love for movement prompted her interest in completing the BKIN (Hons) program, and she is stoked to continue her journey as a graduate student in the School of Human Kinetics.

Masters Students

emma mitchell (CIHR)

Emma finished her Bachelor of Human Kinetics and Recreation (Co-Operative) (honours) degree from Memorial University this year and has just started her MSc in Kinesiology. She grew up in the middle of nowhere (Birchy Bay, NL), where she played lots of sports, primarily focusing on volleyball and weight training. Since moving to St. John's, Emma started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Emma is a CSEP Certified Personal Trainer, a member of the Newfoundland & Labrador Kinesiology Association and is affiliated with the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. She hopes to continue a career in research, wherever that might lead.

Jordan Winter (NSERC)

Jordan is a second-year MSc (Kinesiology) student at Memorial University. He was born and raised in St. John’s and grew up playing sports, including hockey, soccer, ball hockey, and more. He still plays hockey today, enjoys going to the gym, and gives back through volunteer work in the community. He recently finished his Bachelor of Human Kinetics and Recreation (Co-operative, Honours), where he completed research on predictors of skating speed in hockey players. His master’s work builds on this by looking at skating from a neuromuscular perspective, focusing on muscle activity and conduction velocity. Jordan enjoys staying active, being involved in sports, and supporting his community. Looking ahead, he is excited to continue his research and eventually use his experiences to help people in the healthcare field.

madison hull

Madison is a second-year MSc (Kin) student at Memorial University, working under the supervision of Dr. Greg Pearcey and Dr. Duane Button. After completing her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, she hopes to pursue a career in physiotherapy. Madison is passionate about exercise, health, and ultimate frisbee, competing and coaching at both the provincial and national levels. Outside of school and sport, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and teammates, biking, and volunteering at a physiotherapy clinic in Goulds, NL.

nick maher

Nick was born and raised on the beautiful and quiet little island of Newfoundland, here on the East Coast. Growing up, Nick engaged in various athletics and activities such as snowboarding, hiking, softball, and basketball which sparked his interest in and prompted him to study the human body. Nick has recently completed his bachelors degree in kinesiology and is now a second year Msc (Kin) student. Upon completion of his master’s degree he plans on pursuing his education in the field of healthcare through the faculty of medicine at Memorial University.

michael white

Michael is a first year student joining the Ni4M lab as a MSc. in Kinesiology student this fall. Originally from Corner Brook, NL, he grew up partaking in numerous sports and recreational activities ranging from hockey, tennis, and volleyball, as well as camping, and biking. As a life-long participant in sport and recreational activity, Michael previously completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Memorial. Through his graduate studies, he hopes to gain greater experience in physical activity research and develop the skills and knowledge needed for pursuing future opportunities in research and clinical settings.

Medical Student Researchers

liam bavis

Liam graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Honours) degree at Memorial University where he completed his honours research under the supervision of Dr. Pearcey. He also completed his first year of a MsC. with Dr. Pearcey and will continue his research in the lab as he begins his first year of medical school at MUN. In his spare time, Liam likes to stay active by participating in a variety of sports, such as hockey, baseball, basketball, golf, and softball. Additionally, he also enjoys spending time with friends and playing with his dog Buster.

andrew maclaggan

Isabella Ryan

Isabella graduated with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics and Recreation (Co-operative) (Honours) from Memorial University. She completed her honours research under the supervision of Dr. Pearcey and will be continuing her research as she begins her first year of medical school at MUN. Isabella grew up in Burin (with her older sister Olivia who is also an Ni4M member!) and enjoys playing soccer, running, working out, reading, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family!

Olivia Ryan

Olivia graduated with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics and Recreation (Co-operative) (Honours) from Memorial University. She completed her honours research under the supervision of Dr. Pearcey and is now continuing this research while attending MUN's MD program. Olivia is originally from the small town of Burin in Newfoundland, and enjoys playing soccer, running track, hiking, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

Honours Students

LOGAN BURT

Logan is a fourth-year Kinesiology student completing his honours program under Dr. Pearcey. Being raised in Paradise, NL, Logan grew up playing hockey, soccer, and rugby during the week, and camping on the weekends. Since moving on to post-secondary studies, Logan continued his active lifestyle, spending most of his time with his friends, on the rugby pitch or in the gym.

Lauren paddle

Lauren is a fourth‑year Human Kinetics and Recreation (Co‑Operative) student working toward her Honours degree under the supervision of Dr. Pearcey. Born and raised in the small town of Red Harbour, NL, she grew up playing various sports and spending time outdoors. After graduating, Lauren hopes to continue her studies toward a career in physiotherapy, while keeping an open mind about where her interests may take her next. In her free time, she enjoys playing hockey, running, strength training, golfing, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family.

maggie shute

Maggie is currently entering her fourth year of the Bachelor of Human Kinetics and Recreation (Co-operative) program at Memorial University. She will be completing her honours research under the supervision of Dr. Gregory Pearcey, beginning in the fall. Maggie grew up in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, and enjoys playing hockey and soccer, running, hiking, and weight training in her spare time. After graduation, Maggie hopes to pursue a career in physiotherapy following the completion of her Kinesiology degree!

Research Students

ally wilkins

Bio coming soon!

Co-advised Ph.D. Students

Alex Benedetto

PhD Student in the Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience program studying motor unit behaviour in people with spinal cord injury.

Sophie Jenz

PhD Student in the Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience program studying sexual dimorphisms in motor output, and the underlying effects of fluctuations in sex hormones on motor commands.

Principal Investigator

Gregory Pearcey

Dr. Pearcey is an Assistant Professor in the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, and holds a cross-appointment in BioMedical Sciences (Faculty of Medicine, MUN) and an Adjunct role in Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences (Northwestern University).

Alumni

2026

Elmira Ahmadi

Elmira is passionate about sports and has extensive experience as a professional soccer player, giving her a strong understanding of athletes and their needs. She completed her Master’s research in Exercise Physiology, focusing on mental fatigue and its broad applications in both sport and rehabilitation. She believes that exercise is one of the best forms of medicine.

Sara Bonyatpour

Sara completed her MSc in Kinesiology at Memorial University and is a physiotherapist with six years of experience working with athletes in sports physiotherapy clinics. She has always been fascinated by human movement, including how the body moves, which structures are involved, and how movement can be controlled.

Claire DWYER

Claire Dwyer recently completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology (Honours) at Memorial University where she completed her research project under the supervision of Dr. Pearcey. She is now continuing her studies at the Michener Institute in Toronto in the Chiropody Program.

2025

Josh Skinner

Born and raised on the west coast, Josh spends his winters skiing and chasing airtime. He completed his Honours degree in Kinesiology at Memorial University under the supervision of Dr. Pearcey and is now pursuing a degree in Nursing at Memorial. Josh hopes to combine his passion for healthcare and working with children in a future career.

ethan kean

Ethan completed his Honours degree in Kinesiology at Memorial University under the supervision of Dr. Gregory Pearcey. He is now pursuing his Master's in Physiotherapy at the University of Toronto. Outside of his studies, Ethan enjoys weightlifting, swimming, Judo, and Jiu Jitsu, along with eating plenty of food to fuel his athletic pursuits.

Ben NazarofF

Born and raised on a peach farm in British Columbia, Ben grew up skiing and hiking in the Okanagan, developing a love for the outdoors. He completed his studies at Memorial University and now enjoys exploring the East Coast Trail with his Australian Shepherd, Barley. Outside of hiking, Ben is an avid amateur coffee roaster and hopes to get back to growing his own food when space allows.

2024

Brianna chaulk

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