Team

Dr. William Miller’s 2021 Research and Staff team consists of PhD and Masters students, research staff, as well as undergraduate Work Learn students. The majority of Dr. Miller’s research is conducted at the Rehabilitation Research Program (Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute) based out of the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.

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PhD and Masters Students

Isabelle Rash (PhD Student)

Coming from advertisement, marketing and R&D, Isabelle is currently a PhD Student in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of British Columbia with Dr. Brodie M. Sakakibara and Dr. William C. Miller supervising. In the previous Master of Digital Media program, she learned how to be proficient in building, managing and leading digital media projects. With a strong interest in the health-tech industry, her PhD studies focus on combining rehabilitation for stroke survivors with new technologies. 

 

 

Himani Prajapati (PhD Student)

I am currently a first year PhD student at the University of British Columbia in Rehabilitation Sciences under the supervision of Dr. William C. Miller. I have completed a Bachelors in Physiotherapy and Masters in Neuro Physiotherapy and also possess a clinical background in Neuro Rehabilitation. I am interested in Rehabilitation Interventions focusing on balance, mobility and fatigue in people with spinal cord injury consequently aiming to ameliorate quality of life.  

 

 

Elham Esfandiari (PhD Student)

Elham Esfandiari is a PhD student in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Dr. Bill Miller. Her educational and clinical background is in prosthetics and orthotics. Her research will focus on the effect of an mHealth (mobile health) approach to promote self-management after lower limb amputation.

 

 

 

Somayyeh Mohammadi (Postdoctoral Fellow)

Somayyeh has a PhD in Health Psychology. Her research focuses on the impacts of chronic illnesses such as chronic pain on the well-being of patients and their family caregivers and family members. She is currently working as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Miller at the GF Strong Rehabilitation Research Lab.

 

 

 

Gordon Tao (PhD Student)

Gordon is a PhD student at the University of British Columbia in the Rehabilitation Sciences graduate program with Dr. William C. Miller supervising. He completed his BSc in Life Sciences at Queen’s University and his MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences at McGill University. Gordon is passionate about the role of assistive technologies in supporting independence and improving quality of life. His research interests include digital media and virtual reality applications for health as well as stakeholder-driven evaluation of assistive technologies. His doctoral research focuses on the design of digital games for rehabilitation.

 

 

Farzad Ravari (PhD Student)

With a background in a Masters of Public Health (MPH), Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon from Iran, I am pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation at the University of British Columbia. My research interest stems from my experience in computer-based rehabilitation for management of gait disorders, balance training, brachial plexus injuries, dorsalgia, radiculopathy, sciatica, spondylosis, and muscle training in brain stroke and cerebral palsy.

 

 

Pegah Derakhshan (PhD Student)

Pegah Derakhshan is a first-year PhD student in Rehabilitation Science under the supervision of Dr Bill Miller and Dr Ben Mortenson. Pegah completed her medical degree in Iran, and her research focused on patients with spinal cord injury. 

 

 

 

Research Staff

 

Adam Alic (Research Coordinator, MSc., McMaster University)

Adam is a former social psychologist (UBC drop-out) and a former-former bat researcher (McMaster graduate). Called to work in a more applied field, he applied to work for a character named “Bill Miller” who studies “occupational therapy”. Adam is now deep into his position as a research coordinator in the Miller lab and is slowly being indoctrinated into the field of occupational therapy. He hopes to eventually resume his studies either in occupational therapy or counseling psychology—right now he’s just enjoying being a part of this great lab (and sustaining mountain biking injuries with Bill on the weekends).

 

Ally Malinowski (Research Coordinator, MPH, University of Victoria; BSc Kin, Queens University)
Maternity Leave

Ally started at the Rehab Research Lab in July 2019. She has been working in occupational therapy research since 2017, and has a background in autism research, public health research, and community health initiatives. She is very interested in preventative health initiatives that focus on physical activity, mental health, chronic disease prevention, and nutrition to promote general health and well-being for all.

 

 

Staci Mannella (Research Assistant, University of British Columbia)

Staci is a Master’s student in the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia and is working as a research assistant for the lab on SSLOPE (Supporting Snowsports Leisure Opportunities for PEople with disabilities). Her research aims to explore the intersections of disability sport culture, experiences of impairments, and athlete mental health. Staci’s interest stem from her own experiences as a 2x visually impaired Paralympic alpine ski racer (Sochi, 2014, PyeongChang 2018). For Staci this research is deeply personal and following the completion of her masters she hopes to pursue a doctorate to continue contributing to this under explored body of scholarship.

 

Natalie Yu (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Natalie is a 4th year undergraduate student majoring in Behavioural Neuroscience and as a Work Learn student, she assists with various projects within the lab. Natalie is interested in the process of research within health care and currently has aspirations in the field of psychology.

 

 

 

Parmeet Matharu (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Parmeet is currently completing his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. Parmeet is passionate about giving back to the community whether it be coaching, volunteering, or firefighting. He plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.

 

 

 

Kai Leong (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Kai is currently a Microbiology and Immunology student at UBC. He is particularly passionate about geriatrics, public health, and technology and would love to pursue a career that integrates the three. Though he is still in the career exploration phase, Kai is very interested in pursuing a career in rehabilitation medicine.

 

 

 

Olivia Yung (Student Volunteer, Langara College)

Olivia is currently a Kinesiology student at Langara College and hopes to transfer to UBC to complete her degree. She is passionate about sharing her love for sports and enjoys building community through recreational activities. She plans to pursue a career in health care, but when she’s not studying, you can find her paddling in an outrigger canoe or in the mountains.