Our Team
Kelly Mackenzie
Research Manager
Kelly is the research manager for the CEPL, overseeing many of our trials. Kelly has been with the team since 2020. She is a clinical exercise physiologist with a MSc from the University of Alberta (2000) and has taught many academic courses in exercise physiology, health and wellness, aging and exercise prescription. Kelly also has extensive experience working with clients through their cancer rehabilitation as well as those with complex medical considerations. She enjoys tapping into her creative side to find suitable movement options that work for the clients. When not working, you will most likely find Kelly cycling or hiking on her local trails or reading a good book!
Kelcey Bland
Postdoctoral Fellow
Kelcey is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy Lab at UBC and the BC Cancer Research Institute under the supervision of Dr. Kristin Campbell and Helen McTaggart-Cowan. Kelcey completed her PhD at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, Australia. Kelcey’s research has focused on clinical exercise prescription for people living with cancer from diagnosis to survivorship and end-of-life. Her PhD specifically explored the role of exercise for the management of cachexia in people with advanced cancer. Currently, Kelcey is leading a project that is focused on the knowledge translation and mobilization of the recently published exercise guidelines for people living with bone metastases.
Ned Jovanovic
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ned Jovanovic is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy Lab at UBC under the supervision of Dr. Kristin Campbell. He completed his PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University in London, Ontario. Ned’s research has focused on prognostic biomarkers and functional outcomes in clinical oncology, integrating medical imaging, body composition, and rehabilitation research to better understand how cancer and its treatment affect patient outcomes. Outside the lab, Ned enjoys spending time with family and friends, being active outdoors (hiking, biking, basketball, skiing), and dedicating time to the ongoing pursuit of great food.
Kendra Zadravec
PhD Candidate
Kendra is a PhD candidate and physiotherapist in the Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy Lab. Kendra completed her Master of Science (Rehabilitation Sciences) in 2020 and Master of Physical Therapy in 2023, both at UBC. Kendra’s current research focuses on upper extremity impairments related to breast cancer treatment. In the future, Kendra looks forward to continuing to support people with and beyond cancer in their rehabilitation goals, both in a research and clinical setting. In her free time, Kendra enjoys trail/road running, crossword puzzles, and keeping up with her two border collies (one of which is pictured here)!
Tomas Lopez
PhD Candidate
Tomas is a PhD candidate in the Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy Lab. He completed his Master of Science in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in 2024 at Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile. Before starting his PhD, Tomas spent several years working as a clinical physiotherapist in a Bone Marrow Transplant unit, caring for patients with hematologic malignancies. His research background focuses primarily on physical impairments in people with hematologic cancers and how physiotherapy-based interventions may improve their functional outcomes. Outside the lab, Tomas enjoys spending time at the gym, playing basketball, and, of course, trying a variety of foods.
Lisa Harris
MSc Candidate
Lisa is an MSc candidate at the Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy Lab. Lisa completed her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 2005 at UBC and practiced in public and private settings until her early retirement from clinical practice in 2021. Since then, Lisa shifted to being a Clinical Skills Instructor at the Fraser Valley campus of the UBC MPT program. This academic setting and having the influence of her own health challenges, Lisa was inspired to return to graduate school with her research aimed to focus on the use of exercise to prevent complications following ostomy surgery. In her free time, Lisa enjoys being with her husband, her 2 teenagers and their pets. She can often be found baking, reading, cross stitching or watching Formula 1.
Emma Silber
MSc Candidate
Emma is an MSc candidate in the Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy Lab at UBC. She completed her BSc in Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences at King’s College London, graduating with First Class Honours in 2026. Her research interests include cancer rehabilitation, exercise, survivorship, and the role of digital health technologies in supporting people living with and beyond cancer. She is particularly interested in improving the accessibility and representativeness of rehabilitation research. Outside of the lab, Emma enjoys dancing, exploring new cafés, reading, and going to concerts!
Paul Nguyen
Research Assistant
Paul is a Research Assistant who brings years of clinical experience to the UBC Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy Lab. He graduated through UBC with a degree in kinesiology and is a Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. As a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, he has hands-on expertise in designing and supervising personalized exercise programs for individuals with a range of complex conditions. Paul is driven by a desire to empower others through movement and is focused on expanding his knowledge and skills in the field of kinesiology. When he’s out of the office, you can find him climbing at a gym, biking to a bakery, or bikepacking around BC.
Justine Albert
Research Assistant
Justine is a Research Assistant at the UBC Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy Lab. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Western University, a Graduate Diploma in Oncology, and an M.Sc. in Experimental Medicine, both from McGill University. Her research background spans a range of topics in psychosocial oncology and palliative care, and she has spent years working clinically with children, teens, and adults with cancer and their caregivers. Justine is committed to whole-person care and improving the lived experiences of those affected by cancer. Outside of the lab, you can find Justine running, swimming in the ocean, hiking up a mountain, or diving into a new artistic project.
Wei (Joy) Zhou
Research Assistant
Joy is a Junior NLP Data Scientist working with the UBC Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy Lab. She completed her Master of Data Science in Computational Linguistics at the University of British Columbia and brings over seven years of experience in data analytics and applied research. Her work focuses on developing and evaluating AI-powered tools to support exercise and behaviour change for people living with and beyond cancer. She is particularly interested in using natural language processing and large language models to translate exercise-oncology research into safe, practical, and accessible support for patients and healthcare teams. Outside of work, you can usually find Joy skiing, camping, or hanging out with her two four-legged bosses.
Mina Veljkovic
Work Learn Student
Mina is a Work Learn student at the UBC Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy Lab. She is currently completing her B.Sc. in Integrated Science at UBC, where she is integrating Biochemistry and Anatomy. Mina worked with the lab over the summer, contributing to a project focused on refining an AI chatbot designed to provide personalized physical activity support for people with colon cancer. Outside of the lab, Mina enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending concerts, playing pickleball, and reading.
