RESEARCH TEAM
Lara Pilutti, PhD - Principal Investigator
Lara Pilutti is an Associate Professor in the Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada) and her doctoral degree in Kinesiology from McMaster University (Hamilton, Canada). Prof. Pilutti completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Exercise Neuroscience Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and was an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois prior to joining the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa.
My Bibliography
My Bibliography
Arthur R. Chaves, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow
Arthur completed his Ph.D. in Medicine-Neuroscience at Memorial University (October 2020) while supervised by Dr. Michelle Ploughman (Canada Research Chair, Tier II, Rehabilitation, Neuroplasticity, and Brain Recovery). His research aimed at identifying biomarkers of symptom and disease progression and the impact of fitness and physical exercise training on the Stroke and the Multiple Sclerosis brain. In August 2021, Arthur was awarded the uOttawa / CHEO Research post-doctoral Fellowship, and most recently (Sept 2022), with the Trainee Researchers in Multiple Sclerosis Awards (TRIMS) to pursue his post-doctorate training under the supervision of Dr. Lara Pilutti and Dr. Sara Tremblay at the University of Ottawa. His primary project will focus on using non-invasive brain stimulation and neuromodulation methods to investigate, and potentially prime, the neuroplastic effects of exercise on the Multiple Sclerosis brain.
Katherine Cardwell, BHSc, PhD Student - Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Katie recently completed her Bachelor’s in Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa. She is returning to uOttawa for her Masters/PhD and has an interest in interventions improving the wellbeing of individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Katie is a French immersion graduate and is always looking for a chance to practice her French. In her free time, she enjoys running, playing piano and exploring Ottawa.
Aidan Peters, BSc, MSc Student - Human Kinetics
Aidan joined the lab following the completion of his BSc in Psychology at St. Francis Xavier University. During his graduate studies (MSc Human Kinetics) he will be studying how subjective and objective neuropsychological measures relate to neurological health. Following this he plans to obtain a PhD and a career in neuropsychology.
Julia Ludgate - BSc, MSc Student - Neuroscience
Julia recently completed her undergraduate thesis under the supervision of Dr. Pilutti. Her thesis incorporated an environmental scan that focused on evaluating resources available to informal caregivers within Canada. After continuing to work with the CEPL as a research assistant, Julia is now returning to uOttawa for her Masters. Her project will focus on the variation of physical activity levels across disability levels, specifically focusing on those with higher levels of impairments.
Myriam Venasse - Research Coordinator
Myriam completed her Master’s thesis under the supervision of Dr. Pilutti. Her thesis focused on understanding the impact of disability on dietary intake in people with MS. Myriam is now back at the CEPL as a research coordinator. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Katie Lindale, MSc - Research Coordinator
Katie first began working with the CEPL while studying Neuroscience at Carleton, with her honours thesis focused on access to physical activity for individuals with advanced MS amidst COVID-19 pandemic isolation. She then went to Queen's University to study a Master's degree in Translational Medicine, focused on the intersection of cancer pathology and artificial intelligence-based image analysis. Katie has returned to the CEPL as a research coordinator, excited to be involved with all of the team's incredible work. In her spare time, Katie is a volunteer puppy raiser for a service dog training organization, loves cooking, running, biking, music, spending time with family and exploring the outdoors as often as possible.
Undergraduate Students
Abigail Gammon - BHSc Student, Health Sciences
Abigail is a fourth-year health science undergraduate student excited to be a part of CEPL doing her honours thesis project. In collaboration with Katie Cardwell, her project will analyze MS care partners' networks to understand their well-being and support systems. She looks forward to increasing her knowledge and skills at CEPL. In her free time, she likes to read, bake, hike, and do callisthenics.
Daniel Garber - BHSc Student, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Daniel is currently in his 5th year of undergraduate studies in Health Sciences. He is now working on his Honours Thesis Project under the supervision of Dr. Pilutti. His project focuses on examining the relationship between MS with comorbidities and physical activity. In his spare time, he enjoys soccer, chess, and spending quality time with friends.
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Kaitlyn Altwasser - BSc Student, Neuroscience and Mental Health
Kaitlyn is in her final year of Neuroscience and Mental Health with a minor in Biology and Psychology at Carleton University. Prior to joining CEPL, she completed a year-long Co-op term with Health Canada as a Research Assistant at the Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau. Over the past summer, she volunteered in the lab to help facilitate Functional Electrical Stimulation cycling sessions, and will now be completing her undergraduate thesis looking at resilience in caregivers of individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis. She enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, and weightlifting. If she is not outdoors, you can find her reading about health and wellness!
Natty Mulualem - BHSc Student, Health Sciences - Technology & Innovation in Healthcare
Natty is a volunteer with CEPL. She is in her fourth-year of her Bachelor’s of Health Sciences specializing in Technology and Innovation in Healthcare along with a minor in Management at the University of Ottawa. She has an interest in the field of healthcare and hopes to create tools to help improve the healthcare system in Canada and around the world. She is passionate about exercise and as a product of that, she obtained her personal trainer license last summer. In her free time you will find her at the gym, watching an early 2000s sitcoms or hanging out with family and friends.
Shida Pourlotfi - BHSc Student, Health Sciences
Shida is a fourth-year health sciences student currently diving headfirst into the lab to work on her undergraduate honours thesis. Her time at uOttawa has ignited a real passion for learning, especially when it comes to critical thinking and digging into research. Her interests encompass a variety of experiences whether it's mastering her banana bread recipe or soaking up the great outdoors through walks and runs. After graduating from her undergraduate degree, her aspirations are aimed at furthering her studies in graduate research with big dreams of making a real impact in the medical world.
2022-2023
Vanessa Morin, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
2021-2022
Christeen Ammari, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Taylor Hume, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Julia Ludgate, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Projectt
2020-2021
Rachel Kamel, Biomedical Sciences, UROP
Katie Lindale, Neurosciences, Carleton University, Honours Thesis Project
2019-2020
Dilpreet Bajwa, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Katie Cardwell, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Samantha Forbes, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Kaitlyn Bonneville, School of Psychology, UROP
2018-2019
Jordan Merkas, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Julie Cameron, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Dilpreet Bajwa, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, UROP
2017-2018
Zain Awadia, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, volunteer
Julie Cameron, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, UROP
Sabreena Charlebois, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Jordan Merkas, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, UROP
Lana Moussa, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, volunteer
2016-2017
Barrakatou Lingali, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, UROP
Vanessa Morin, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
2021-2022
Christeen Ammari, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Taylor Hume, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Julia Ludgate, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Projectt
2020-2021
Rachel Kamel, Biomedical Sciences, UROP
Katie Lindale, Neurosciences, Carleton University, Honours Thesis Project
2019-2020
Dilpreet Bajwa, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Katie Cardwell, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Samantha Forbes, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Kaitlyn Bonneville, School of Psychology, UROP
2018-2019
Jordan Merkas, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Julie Cameron, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Dilpreet Bajwa, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, UROP
2017-2018
Zain Awadia, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, volunteer
Julie Cameron, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, UROP
Sabreena Charlebois, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Honours Thesis Project
Jordan Merkas, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, UROP
Lana Moussa, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, volunteer
2016-2017
Barrakatou Lingali, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, UROP
Graduate & Postdoctoral Alumni
Zain Awadia, MSc 2022; After leaving the lab: Medical student, McMaster University
Thomas Edwards, PhD 2021; After leaving the lab: Medical student, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Odessa McKenna, MSc 2021; After leaving the lab: Medical student, University of Ottawa
Afolasade Fakolade, PDF 2020: After leaving the lab: Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University
John Farrell III, PDF 2020; After leaving the lab: Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University
Myriam Venasse, MSc 2019; After leaving the lab: Project Manager, Statistics Canada; Research Coordinator, CEPL
Thomas Edwards, PhD 2021; After leaving the lab: Medical student, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Odessa McKenna, MSc 2021; After leaving the lab: Medical student, University of Ottawa
Afolasade Fakolade, PDF 2020: After leaving the lab: Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University
John Farrell III, PDF 2020; After leaving the lab: Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University
Myriam Venasse, MSc 2019; After leaving the lab: Project Manager, Statistics Canada; Research Coordinator, CEPL
COLLABORATORS
Afolasade Fakolade, PhD - Assistant Professor, Queen's University
Dr. Fakolade trained as a physical therapist in Nigeria, and then completed her MSc in Neurorehabilitation (achieved with distinction) at the School of Healthcare Studies, Cardiff University UK. She completed her doctoral degree in Rehabilitation Science from Queen's University, Kingston Canada where she was a recipient of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship and a MS Society of Canada doctoral studentship. Her postdoctoral research at CEPL focused on the development of a dyadic physical activity intervention to improve health and wellbeing of both people with MS who have higher disability levels and the family caregivers providing support for these individuals. Dr. Fakolade was a recipient of a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship from the MS Society of Canada. In her spare time, Fola enjoys cooking, travelling, and exploring new cultures and cuisines. Faculty Webpage
Dr. Fakolade trained as a physical therapist in Nigeria, and then completed her MSc in Neurorehabilitation (achieved with distinction) at the School of Healthcare Studies, Cardiff University UK. She completed her doctoral degree in Rehabilitation Science from Queen's University, Kingston Canada where she was a recipient of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship and a MS Society of Canada doctoral studentship. Her postdoctoral research at CEPL focused on the development of a dyadic physical activity intervention to improve health and wellbeing of both people with MS who have higher disability levels and the family caregivers providing support for these individuals. Dr. Fakolade was a recipient of a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship from the MS Society of Canada. In her spare time, Fola enjoys cooking, travelling, and exploring new cultures and cuisines. Faculty Webpage
Cognitive Health in MS Research Lab
The Cognitive Health in Multiple Sclerosis Research Lab is lead by Dr. Lisa Walker at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Our lab conducts research evaluating various aspects of cognitive health in multiple sclerosis. Our research currently focuses on cognitive fatigability, the cognitive impact of stem cell therapies, assessment and longitudinal evaluation of cognition, and the relationship between cognition and biomarkers of disease activity. For more information, visit their website.
The Cognitive Health in Multiple Sclerosis Research Lab is lead by Dr. Lisa Walker at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Our lab conducts research evaluating various aspects of cognitive health in multiple sclerosis. Our research currently focuses on cognitive fatigability, the cognitive impact of stem cell therapies, assessment and longitudinal evaluation of cognition, and the relationship between cognition and biomarkers of disease activity. For more information, visit their website.