Meet the Team!
Dr. Shane Sweet, Director ![]()
The overarching goal Dr. Sweet’s research is to develop a deeper understanding of programs and interventions to assist people with a physical disability to participate in daily and social activities. To achieve these goals, Dr. Sweet focused on two streams: (1) adapted physical activity and (2) spinal cord injury (SCI) peer support.
Stream 1: Adapted Physical Activity
The focus of the adapted physical activity stream is to build an understanding of the process to help people with a physical disability engage in physical activity while identifying and testing solutions to overcome important physical activity barriers. Dr. Sweet and his team of undergraduate and graduate students and research assistants lead multiple projects in collaboration with community-based partners who are knowledge users, such as community-based organizations and people with a physical disability.
Stream 2: Spinal Cord Injury Peer support
Dr. Sweet leads a pan-Canadian community-university partnership that unites students, researchers, and community-based organizations that are inspired to better understand, promote, and optimize spinal cord injury peer support programs and services (www.mcgill.ca/scipm). This partnership has defined spinal cord injury (SCI) peer support as a peer interaction that aims to help individuals who share similar lived experiences adapt and/or thrive.
Tayah Liska, PhD Candidate
Hometown: Stittsville, Ontario
Education: Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics with Honours, St. Francis Xavier University (2019), Masters of Arts in Kinesiology, McGill University (2021).
Research Interest: As someone who is an athletic and sports enthusiast, I have always had a great interest in physical activity, exercise, sport, and health promotion. Over my graduate education, I have gained a particular interest in understanding the ways in which individuals with physical disability maintain their physical activity. Identifying key features of physical activity maintenance is part of my broader interest of positive health promotion and I am motivated to identify new and relevant ways to support individuals in their on-going physical activity participation and healthy living to improve their overall quality of life.
Personal Interest: Outside of the lab, I enjoy participating in my favourite sports and activities that include swimming, running, alpine skiing, paddling, and more. When not active outside, I’m spending time with family and friends, reading a new book, or planning my next travel destination!
Gabrielle Bedard, PhD Student
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Current Education: First year PhD student in Kinesiology Sciences (McGill University)
Degrees: Master of Arts in Exercise and Health Psychology (McGill University) and Honours Bachelor in Human Kinetics (University of Ottawa)
Research Interests: Enhancing Academic Success and Well-Being through Peer Coaching and Behavior Change Strategies among University Students with Disabilities (PhD Thesis). Other Interests: Health Psychology, Behaviour change, Well-Being, Physical Activity, Disabilities, Coaching and Education, EMA/ESM, Multi-level Modeling, Phenomenological Narrative Analysis.
Personal Interest: Physical activity & sports, food and exploring cafes/restaurants in Montréal, socializing with friends and family, reality TV, and travelling.
Natara Ng, Master's Student
Hometown: Chelsea QC
Education: BSc (Hons.) Specialization in Kinesiology, Queen’s University
I am a first-year master’s student in the TIE Lab. Previously, I obtained an honours BSc in Kinesiology from Queen’s University, where I first gained interest in health promotion and exercise psychology through involvement in research. These research experiences led me to the TIE Lab, where I am excited to explore physical activity behaviour for health and wellbeing for people of all abilities. Outside of academics, I enjoy running, playing the fiddle, and adventuring in the outdoors with friends and family!
Lily White, Master's Student
My name is Lily, and I am from Bradford, Ontario. I am currently a second year Master’s student in the TIE Lab. While completing my Honours undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Guelph, I developed an interest in qualitative research and work driven with the goal of improving the well-being of individuals with disabilities. With the TIE Lab, my Master’s thesis follows the work done in partnership with Canadian community-based SCI organizations. My project looks to understand the implementation of an evaluation tool designed to help these organizations evaluate and optimize their peer support programs. Outside of school, you can find me exploring the city, discovering new cafes, and playing around with my style!
Elizabeth Dorvil, Master's Student 
Hi, my name is Elizabeth! I’ve previously completed a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at McGill University. I was introduced to the TIE lab with an undergraduate practicum, which quickly fostered my interest in conducting research, particularly around emphasizing and improving quality of life and access to appropriate care for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) with disabilities. I’m really looking forward to pursuing my research interests as a master’s student in the TIE lab. As a Montrealer through and through, I love trying out new kinds of foods, reading, going on various adventures around the city, and spending time with friends and family in my spare time. You can also regularly find me browsing at a thrift store near you!
Nour Saadawi, Research Assistant
My work in the TIE Lab focuses on bridging research and practice by collaborating with community partners to promote physical activity for people with disabilities. I have conducted my master’s research in partnership with community organizations, developing and testing training modules in motivational interviewing, behaviour change techniques, and adapted physical activity for kinesiologists. Additionally, I work as a kinesiologist at Fitness Access McGill (FAM), providing personalized fitness support for staff and students with diverse needs.
