Research Assistants

Leanne Dickau

Study Coordinator / Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Leanne graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology in 2006. In 2011, she completed a Master's of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria. While completing her Master's degree, she worked as a fitness tester and project coordinator in the Behavioural Medicine Lab at the University of Victoria. After graduation, she obtained her Certified Exercise Physiologist certification from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and worked as a research assistant at the BC Cancer Agency in Victoria, BC. Leanne has worked on various projects within CEPR including her main role as Study Coordinator for the AMBER Study. Along with an interest in health and fitness, she has quite the travel bug and has lived in both Germany and Australia. She also has a love of hiking and spending time in the mountains

Andria Morielli

Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Andria is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research (Alberta Health Services). She received a BSc in Exercise Science with a specialization in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Concordia University (Montreal) in 2011. It was during the last year of her undergraduate studies that she developed a passion for exercise and cancer. Her final practicum was at the Montreal Jewish General Hospital’s Hope & Cope Wellness Centre/Lou’s House where she went on to work as an Exercise Physiologist from 2011-2013. In her role, Andria supervised the Young Adult Exercise Evening and participated in community events for AYA cancer survivors. Her years of professional experience provided her with the insights and awareness of the need for research on the role of exercise in cancer survivorship, which motivated her to pursue her graduate studies. She completed her MSc (2015) and PhD (2020) in Kinesiology at the University of Alberta where she designed and conducted exercise intervention studies in rectal cancer patients receiving pre-surgical chemoradiation. She is interested in developing, testing, and implementing exercise interventions targeted at improving patient-reported outcomes and cancer outcomes, particularly in understudied cancer populations. Outside of work, Andria enjoys traveling, spending time in the mountains and staying active with her husband and dog.

Rebecca Urbat

Clinical Exercise Physiologist 
Rebecca completed a Bachelor of Kinesiology in Exercise and Health Physiology from the University of Calgary in 2015. While at U of C, she completed a practicum with the Canadian Sport Institute - Calgary but found her true passion working with chronic conditions by volunteering with the Thrive Centre, Rehabilitation Program, Joint Effort, and Will for Riding. Previously, she worked at the Calgary Jewish Community Centre as the Parkinson's program coordinator and TrymGym at the University of Calgary. Away from work, Rebecca stays active by escaping to the mountains for paddleboarding, cross-country skiing, and hiking

Irizelle Lategan

Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Irizelle completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (2016) and Master’s of Kinesiology (2019) at the University of Calgary. During her graduate studies Irizelle specialized in Clinical Exercise Physiology and became certified through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. Previously, she has worked with chronic kidney disease through the Southern Alberta Renal Program, Spinal Cord Injury Alberta, Wellspring – Calgary, breast cancer through the AMBER Study, and most recently, the frontline response during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outside of work, Irizelle enjoys travelling, playing any sport, and collecting houseplants.

Sue Daniel

Research Assistant
Sue graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Calgary. She enjoyed a fulfilling career as a Public Health Nurse for 14 years. Sue has always been passionate about sports and fitness and began instructing group exercise classes in 1987. She was able to combine her interest in fitness and her background in nursing as an exercise trainer with the Alpha and Beta Trial Studies. Sue transitioned to recruiter and medical chart abstractor for the Amber Study. She stays active by running and has completed several marathons and triathlons including an Ironman.

Trisha MacDonald

Research Assistant
Trisha graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dalhousie University, and for many years was employed in the Social Services Field, providing support to persons with disabilities. Trisha has worked with the Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research for over 10 years, beginning as a Recruiter for the BETA Trial. Currently she is responsible for the data entry component of the AMBER study. Originally from Cape Breton, NS, she has lived in Calgary for 33 years. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, crocheting, and spending time with friends and family.