Research Assistants

Calgary Study Team Members

Leanne Dickau

Calgary 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

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

Catherine Vu

Clinical Exercise Physiologist 
Catherine graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation and Disability studies and a Bachelor of Kinesiology in 2015 and 2019, respectively. After completing a practicum with the Adapted Physical Activity Kids program, her eyes were opened to the field of exercise physiology. This experience led her to obtain her Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification from the Canadian Society for Exercise physiology. Catherine has worked as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer at the University of Calgary. She currently works as an clinical exercise physiologist for the AYA-PACT study. During her free time, Catherine enjoys gardening, sewing, and playing disc golf with friends.

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.

Edmonton Study Team Members

Ki-Yong An

Edmonton Study Coordinator
Ki-Yong received his bachelor, master, and PhD degrees at Yonsei University in South Korea majoring in Exercise medicine. He then moved to the University of Alberta for his postdoctoral program. Having completed the 3 years of the Postdoctoral program, he now works as a Research Associate in the Exercise Oncology Research lab, in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta. A part of this role is working as the Research Coordinator for the AYA-PACT study at the Edmonton site. Ki-Yong has collaborated with CEPR on various projects since 2017. In his free time Ki-Yong enjoys running, weight training, mountain biking, and jiu jitsu.

Myriam Filion

Kinesiologist
Myriam graduated with a Master's degree in Clinical Epidemiology at Université Laval in Québec with more than 15 years of experience in physical activity and cancer. She has acquired an expertise that she brings to the patients and academic community as part of her PhD project. Over the past decade, Myriam has been deeply involved in advancing the field of physical activity and cancer, including owning a kinesio-oncology clinic and spearheading the implementation of significant physical activity programs in Eastern Canada. Both her clinical and academic experience have strengthened her belief in the crucial role that physical activity plays throughout a patient’s cancer trajectory. Her ultimate goal is to extend these benefits to as many cancer survivors worldwide as possible. Outside of academia, Myriam stays active by running after her two-year-old daughter. Additionally, she is a social and curious creature who loves spending time exploring new cultures and landscapes.

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.

Stephanie Ntoukas

Kinesiologist
Stephanie is a PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Kinesiology and a research assistant in the Exercise Oncology Research Laboratory at the University of Alberta. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Toronto, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research from Michener Institute of Education, a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Alberta, and is an out-of-province Registered Kinesiologist with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario. She held a 3-year research position at a world-leading cancer research hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Stephanie’s research interests are in the field of strength training for head and neck cancer populations with the goal of enhancing quality of life and mitigating disease- and treatment-related side effects, while further examining the potential anti-cancer role of strength training. She is also a three-time pediatric and young adult survivor of head and neck cancer and enjoys lifting heavy things.