Faculty
Dr. Bruno da Costa
Dr. da Costa's research focuses on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep in different population subgroups, including the investigation of sociodemographic, behavioural, and psychosocial correlates and determinants of these behaviours. Additionally, his work explores how diverse behavioural patterns relate to health outcomes.
bruno.dacosta [at] mcgill.ca (Email)
Dr. Antonio Stabelini Neto
Dr. Antonio Stabelini Neto is an associate professor at State University of Northern Parana (Brazil). Dr. Stabelini Neto´s research focuses on physical fitness, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour and their associations with adolescents´metabolic and mental health, as well as the impact of physical activity intervention programs on pediatric population.
Google scholar - ORCID - asneto [at] uenp.edu.br (Email)
Graduate students
Christopher Adu
I am a former basketball student-athlete and obtained my bachelor's degree in Sociology (2023) and Psychology (2024) from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM). I am currently pursuing a master's degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education at McGill University. During my undergraduate studies, I completed my honors thesis under the supervision of Professor Nathalie Houlfort (Ph.D), which involved creating and validating a measurement scale to explore student-athletes' experiences in managing academic and athletic roles.
Drawing from role theory, my research interest focuses on exploring the dynamic interactions between academic and sports roles within the unique context of student-athletes. Given the dual nature of their responsibilities, student-athletes often navigate competing demands and expectations. My aim is to better understand the underlying mechanisms that contribute positively to their experiences, as well as the distinctive challenges that arise from balancing their dual careers.
My research perspective also integrates psychological insights drawn from self-determination theory, emphasizing constructs such as the basic psychological needs and emotion regulation. Through this lens, I investigate both facilitators and barriers in the student-athlete experience, aiming to reveal crucial psychological processes influencing their daily lives and trajectories.
My goal is to uncover meaningful connections between these psychological processes and key outcomes, including academic and athletic performance, mental health, subjective well-being, and overall life satisfaction. I hope to provide valuable insights into the balancing act that student-athletes are faced with, while simultaneously contributing practical recommendations and strategies aimed at enhancing the support provided to student-athletes, thereby enriching their educational, athletic, and personal development.
Nicolas St-Pierre
As an ambassador for sports and education, I aspire to serve as a role model for future generations and help athletes reach their full potential.
From a young age, my passion for sports and competition has driven me to pursue excellence. From playing recreational basketball to playing the highest level of soccer in Quebec, I have always been motivated by a desire to grow and compete.
During my Bachelor of Education in Physical and Health Education at McGill University, I was a four-time recipient of the “Bourses d’excellence aux futurs enseignants” from 2020 to 2023. In addition to my academic achievements, I take pride in having made numerous meaningful connections and in discovering a deep passion for both sports and education. Alongside my studies, I have obtained multiple coaching licenses and currently hold a CONCACAF B Diploma under the supervision of Soccer Canada.
I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree, focusing my research on coaching practices in youth soccer. My current project explores the relationship between coaches’ feedback and the satisfaction of athletes’ basic psychological needs in team practice settings. My research interests lie in understanding which coaching behaviors and practices are most beneficial for athletes and contribute to overall team success. Additionally, I am passionate about promoting physical activity, health, well-being, and healthy lifestyle habits among youth, all of which continue to fuel my drive for research.
My goal with this degree is to equip myself with the tools and knowledge necessary to drive meaningful change in Canadian soccer. I aim to apply evidence-based practices to this growing sport as a way to give back to both the soccer community and my broader community. I also dream of one day coaching at the professional or university level, and of running a successful sports program that values both team success and individual development.