91porn

The cardiovascular system, comprising heart and blood vessels, circulates blood to the muscles and organs to deliver nutrients and oxygen while also removing wastes. In my lab, we measure the function of the heart and arteries to see how well the cardiovascular system is performing. Evidence shows that females can have improved artery function and structure compared to males early in life, but this effect may disappear later in the lifespan with changes in known cardiovascular risk factors, including decreases in sex hormone (estrogen and progesterone) levels with the menopause transition. However, females are historically underrepresented in cardiovascular research, and most studies of cardiovascular system function have been conducted during rest and not during periods of everyday stress or “challenges” to the cardiovascular system. Such challenges can include metabolic challenges, like eating a large amount of sugar; mechanical challenges, like exercise; or psychological challenges, like completing an interview. These challenges may affect cardiovascular function, and the effects may depend on sex, life stage, and the presence or absence of sex hormones. 

My research program focuses on how the cardiovascular system is impacted by metabolic, mechanical, and psychological “challenges” with a focus on sex-differences and female-specific physiology. We study sex-differences in cardiovascular outcomes in young, middle-aged, and older males and females. We also look at how the cardiovascular system changes during periods of sex hormone reduction (natural and surgical menopause, breast cancer survivors using aromatase inhibitors) or with sex hormone addition/fluctuations (menstrual cycle, oral contraceptive use). With my background in exercise physiology, I am also interested in how different exercise training programs impact cardiovascular health, with a focus on women of all ages and breast cancer survivors.

In my lab, we measure a variety of cardiovascular outcomes, including the following measures which students are trained on these clinical techniques: ultrasound of arteries (brachial, carotid, femoral), arterial stiffness, echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), measuring heart rate and blood pressure during rest and stress, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (exercise testing). I also train students in wet lab techniques to measure cardiovascular biomarkers like fats, sugars, inflammatory markers, and hormones (e.g., cortisol, estrogen, progesterone), and experiments in human cells. I pursue research studies with students that relate to these outcomes and “stress” models, but am also open to student ideas (though not a requirement to join my lab)!

• NSERC Discovery Grant
• NSERC Research Tools & Instruments Grant
• Menopause Society Pilot Grant Funding
• Banting Discovery - Ontario Brain Initiative Grant

Student training and mentorship are among some of my favourite parts about leading a research lab! My core values - community, collaboration, and growth – provide the foundation to ground my approaches to curate a positive and equitable training environment. My main goals for students are to develop an advanced understanding of cardiovascular physiology, comprehensive technical skills in cardiovascular assessments and wet lab techniques; and essential professional skills to support their future career endeavors. As a woman in STEM, I also work to create inclusive environments for students in the lab, and especially welcome women+, 2SLGBTQIA+, and BIPOC students who are interested in joining.

I am happy to supervise undergraduate thesis, MSc and PhD graduate students in 2026-2027. I also have undergraduate and graduate research assistantships available in the 2025-2026 school year and 2026 summer. Please send me an email if you are interested in our work.

• KP426: Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription
• KP422: Advanced Exercise Physiology