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.

Jump to PhD and Masters Students
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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.  

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

 


Tanya Fawkes (PhD Student)

Tanya is an Occupational Therapist and PhD student at UBC in Rehabilitation Sciences with Drs. Ben Mortenson and Bill Miller supervising. She has worked as an OT in a variety of clinical areas that ultimately led her to having a passion for OT led home modifications for those with injuries, illness or other functional changes that require adaptations in the environment to improve accessibility. Her research will focus on the sustainability of home modifications and the value to the system of improving access to home modifications to support aging in place.

 

 

 

 

Colleen Hamilton (Masters Student)

Colleen is a student in the Masters of Occupational Therapy program at the University of British Columbia. Colleen is from Victoria and comes from a professional background in economic development planning. She is thrilled to soon be joining the profession of OT, which combines her loves of anatomy and psychology (and getting to figure out what makes people tick). In her spare time, she tries to get out trail running in our gorgeous coastal forests as much as possible, but in reality spends most of her time at local playgrounds with her two kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Hsieh (Masters Student)

Lisa is a student in the Master of Occupational Therapy program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) under the supervision of Dr. William C. Miller. She is originally from Kelowna, but has called Vancouver home for the last decade or so. Lisa decided to pursue the holistic profession of occupational therapy after being inspired by her professional work to remove barriers in sport for marginalised populations. As a student OT, she loves being able to help others get back to doing their favourite activities. In her free time, Lisa enjoys soaking up the sun by playing ultimate frisbee and hiking.

 

 

 

Brittany Wong (Masters Student)

Brittany is a student in the Master of Occupational Therapy program at the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Dr. William C. Miller. She was born and raised in Vancouver, B.C. At age 17, Brittany had emergency brain surgery and was an outpatient at GF Strong. Her experience as a patient was pivotal to her realization of the importance of rehabilitation teams and motivated her to pursue a career where she could have the same impact. Brittany was drawn to occupational therapy because of its holistic and creative approach to helping others find solutions to their barriers. In her spare time, you can find Brittany indulging in tasty foods, being active, and spending quality time with friends and family.

 

 

 

Carly Jordan (Masters Student)

Carly is a student in the Master of Occupational Therapy program at the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Dr. William C. Miller. She is originally from Caledon, Ontario but has called British Columbia home since moving to Kelowna in 2019 where she completed her undergrad in Kinesiology at UBCO. Carly greatly admires the wholistic approach that Occupational Therapy has to offer in supporting individual’s health and wellness across the lifespan, and is thrilled to be apart of the UBC MOT program. In her spare time, you will find her skiing, cooking, or playing with her nephew. 

 

 

 

 

Research Staff

 

Ethan Simpson (Research Coordinator, University of British Columbia)

Ethan is the Research Coordinator for Dr. Miller at UBC. He completed his BSc in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Exeter before his MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences at UBC. He enjoys spending time with friends and can often be found engaging in outdoor activities.

 

 

 

 

 

Heather Cathcart (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Heather is a 4th-year undergraduate student at UBC majoring in a combined major in Chemistry, Life Sciences and Earth & Environmental Sciences. She is passionate about improving others’ quality of life, rehabilitation and public health. Heather is exploring multiple career paths but hopes to pursue a career in health care.

 

 

 

 

 

Aditya Dhariwal (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Adit is doing a combined major in Chemistry, Math and Life Sciences. He is interested in how technology integrates with rehabilitation. Outside of research, you can find him playing sports with his friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jayden Singh (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Jayden is a third-year Kinesiology student at UBC. He is interested in research on spinal cord injuries and new technologies in that field. After university, He is looking to get into a career in rehabilitation. In my free time, he likes playing sports and watching movies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wenqi Zhang (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Wenqi, a final-year undergraduate student in Cognitive Systems at UBC, is actively engaged in research pertaining to the utilization of technology. Her primary focus lies in discovering innovative approaches to enhance virtual rehabilitation, elevate user experiences through interface improvements, and develop novel methods of interaction. Additionally, Wenqi is passionate about leveraging technology like virtual reality or interactive robots to assist stroke patients, aiming to physically and mentally help their rehabilitation process.

 

 

 

 

Ethan Larose (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Ethan is a recent graduate from UBC with his Bachelor of Kinesiology with a focus on Indigenous health.
He is passionate about health, rehabilitation, and medicine hoping to pursue a career in healthcare that acknowledges and honours both his Indigenous and western teachings of health and wellness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dhruva Aggrawal (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Dhruva is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UBC majoring in Psychology. She has a deep passion for older adult health and quality of life, aspiring to pursue a career in occupational therapy with a focus on older adult health. She is also an enthusiast of figure skating. In her free time, you’ll often find her gliding on the ice.

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Choy (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Jimmy Choy is a third-year undergraduate student in Biology at UBC. His primary interest lies in understanding the recovery processes and underlying physiology from body illnesses and diseases. He aspires to pursue a Doctor of Optometry degree and is keen on working on novel interventions that enhance patient interactions. He is particularly focused on understanding the emotional distress faced by patients impaired with illnesses or disabilities. Outside of his academic and professional interests, he relishes trying different cuisines in the city and ensures he maintains his fitness by hitting the gym, especially during the school year.

 

 

 

Asia Cai (Work Learn Student, University of British Columbia)

Asia is a fourth-year Kinesiology student at UBC with an avid interest for active rehabilitation. This passion was ignited when she witnessed the transformative impact of active rehab on her mom’s recovery from a sporting injury. Seeing her mom regain her strength and return to her beloved activities inspired Asia to pursue a career in helping others improve their function, mobility, and strength. Outside of her studies, Asia prioritizes her own well-being through activities like hiking, lifting, and running outdoors. She also values quality time with her family, and discovering new coffee shops.