REPRESENT. PROMOTE. DEFEND.
The HKGSA-AÉDSAP is a student-run organization at the University of Ottawa that is committed to assisting all graduate students in the School of Human Kinetics in both academic and non-academic matters.
The Council
Meet your Executive Council
Lisa Ek Orloff
President
Hello Human Kinetics Graduate Students!
I’m currently a second year PhD Student in Dr. Michael De Lisio’s lab with my thesis focusing on the opposing effects of exercise and obesity on bone marrow-derived cell infiltration in colorectal cancer. I completed both an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences and a Masters Degree in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa. During this time, I also participated in HKGSA as a general council member and acted as VP Communications during the final year of my Masters. In addition, I had the opportunity to represent HK as a steward with CUPE2626, and to participate in student council as an exchange student at Stockholm’s University. Through this experience I have witnessed how a student council can enhance the student experience through community-building and support. As President of the HKGSA I hope to maintain our commitment to hosting frequent and engaging social events and bring a renewed focus to academic and peer support. My goal is to help bring Human Kinetics Graduate Students together to positively contribute to our experience at the University of Ottawa.
Britta Peterson
VP Student and Council Affairs
Britta (she/her) has lived and played across Canada, from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Central Vancouver Island, British Columbia. She is in her second year of the PhD program and the HKGSA VP of Student and Council Affairs. Her formal education has targeted all things recreation and leisure, with her research focusing on Indigenous conceptualizations of leisure in relation to the development of personal and community identity. She is passionate about decolonizing the narratives in the fields of recreation and leisure. In her leisure time, she can be found exploring nature by canoe and bike, drinking lattes, and challenging social and systemic inequities.
Alice Tate
VP Communications
Hello! My name is Alice and I am a first year master's student in the MScHK stream as well as the VP Communications for 2023-2024. My research area examines the ways in which exercise can be a form of regenerative medicine and the relationships between stem cells and exercise. As the VP Communications I hope to provide information on resources and opportunities that allow us to excel academically, professionally, and personally. I also hope to shine a light on the accomplishments of my peers to those within and beyond the School of Human Kinetics.
Connor Mcfaul
VP Student Engagement and Events
Hey everyone, I am a 2nd year master's student in the MAHK program with Dr. Robidoux, pursuing a thesis looking at risk factors and causes of head trauma in youth hockey. As an HK student at uOttawa for 5+ years, I look forward to meeting all our graduate students this year. I already have some fun events planned for networking and to ensure we can create a positive grad student experience. I love all things sports, these days I am mostly golfing during the summer and playing hockey all winter. As the commissioner of STOH (our HK grad student-prof hockey league at uO), I have already had the pleasure of organizing our year-end hockey tournament and grad student social alongside students and profs from McGill and Queen’s in 2023 and looking forward to the 2024 edition of this great uOttawa tradition. I have gained valuable experience in the hospitality and marketing industries that I hope will help us have great events and attendance in the coming school year. Hope to see everyone out at our socials this year, or bump into you in Montpetit or at FnS!
James Vanhie
VP Finance
Hello! My name is James and I am the HKGSA VP Finance for the 2023-2024 academic year. I grew up in London, Ontario, spending my time playing various sports throughout the year. I’m entering my fifth year of my PhD program at uOttawa. My research focuses on the integration of exercise, obesity, and health outcomes regarding cancer onset. As VP Finance I will work with our council members to responsibly plan events throughout the year to make your graduate experience the best it can be!
VP Francophonie & Bilingualism
Alexanne Larocque
Hi! My name is Alexanne (Alex for short), and I am starting my first year of my master's in human kinetics. I’ve been speaking French longer than English; I graduated with a French bachelor's in biomedical sciences last June. I was also the Translation Coordinator for the Ontario Science Student’s Association (OSSA) back in 2021. As a francophone born and raised, my goal as your VP of Francophonie and Bilingualism is to make sure that all the information shared is equally available for our English and French students!
THEOPHILUS ANYANE ASARE
VP Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
