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Meet Our Executive Committee

President: Ariane Massie

2020 – Present

York University

Ariane is a third-year Ph.D. student in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science at York University in Toronto, ON. Her current research explores the systematic uptake of physical activity for health and well-being in later life. Specifically, she is interested in mechanisms and strategies for the adoption of interventions that increase mobility and reduce sedentary time among residents of long-term care facilities. Ariane has been in the role of communication coordinator on the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG) Student Connection Executive Committee (SC-CE) since 2017. She is excited to continue her involvement with the SC-CE and to represent you as the next CAG SC-CE president.

Vice President: Tia Rogers-Jarrell

2018 – Present

York University

Tia Rogers-Jarrell is a PhD student at York University in the department of Kinesiology and Health Science under the supervision of Dr. Brad Meisner. Combining her interests in promoting active aging and combating social isolation, she utilizes critical qualitative approaches to understand how to create opportunities that encourage social participation within older populations. Her research also examines the role stereotypes and age-barriers have on impacting ones ability and willingness to engage in and with their community.

Prior to starting at York, Tia completed a Masters degree in Applied Health Sciences with Dr. Paula Gardner at Brock University. During this time, she was the project coordinator of an intergenerational program. As health is directly related to the neighbourhood that one lives in, this project explored the age-friendliness of various Niagara Region communities to understand how to make these locations healthier places to grow old. Tia’s excited about joining the student connections as it’s played an important role in her academic and professional development. She hopes to continue connecting aspiring gerontologists across the country and bring further awareness to this association.

Communications Coordinator: Kim Thériault

2020 – Present

University of Ottawa

Kim Thériault is a first-year MA/PhD student at the University of Ottawa in the Experimental Psychology program. She holds a Health Science Diploma (Pre-med) at the University of Moncton and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Ottawa. Her current research study emotional influences on semantic priming in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Kim’s is excited to join the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG) Student Connection (SC-CÉ). She is looking forward to being involved in this association as the Communications coordinator.

Kim Thériault est une étudiante de première année au programme MA/PhD en psychologie expérimentale à l’Université d’Ottawa. Elle détient un diplôme préparatoire en Sciences de la santé à l’Université de Moncton et elle détient également un baccalauréat en sciences spécialisé en psychologie à l’Université d’Ottawa. Sa recherche actuelle étudie les influences des émotions sur l’amorçage sémantique dans les cas de troubles cognitifs légers et de maladie d’Alzheimer. Kim est enthousiaste à l’idée de rejoindre la Connexion étudiante (SC-CÉ) de l’Association canadienne de gérontologie (ACG). Elle a hâte de pouvoir s’impliquer au sein de cette association en tant que Coordinatrice de communication.

Student Representative Coordinator: Jaclyn Ryder

2022 – Present

Brock University

Jaclyn Ryder is a 2nd year MA student in the department of Health Sciences at Brock University. Her passion for gerontology is deeply rooted in childhood experiences growing up with her grandparents. She spent multiple years volunteering and working part-time at a Long-Term Care (LTC) home where her interest in mental health and aging became apparent. Combining her interest in LTC with her newfound love for Mindfulness, Jaclyn is currently utilizing critical qualitative research to understand mindfulness in LTC and its contributions to mental health for residents. While working on her thesis, Jaclyn spent some time working as a research assistant and presenting findings at the 15th Global Conference on Ageing “Rights Matter”, on a project called “Sowing the seeds of change”: Lessons on building volunteerism from the Age-Friendly Niagara Network. Due to the Niagara Region in Ontario being one of the most rapidly aging areas in Canada, this exploratory qualitative study looked to produce knowledge for the Age-Friendly Niagara Council and its local age-friendly advisory committees by identifying strategies to sustain current volunteers and motivate others to join. Jaclyn is thrilled to be involved with the student connection team. She looks forward to connecting with and supporting the student representatives across Canada.

Jaclyn Ryder est une étudiante de deuxième année de maîtrise au département des sciences de la santé de l’Université Brock. Sa passion pour la gérontologie est profondément ancrée dans ses expériences d’enfance auprès de ses grands-parents. Elle a passé plusieurs années à faire du bénévolat et à travailler à temps partiel dans un foyer de soins de longue durée (SLD), où son intérêt pour la santé mentale et le vieillissement est devenu évident. En combinant son intérêt pour les soins de longue durée et sa nouvelle passion pour la pleine conscience, Jaclyn utilise actuellement une recherche qualitative critique pour comprendre la pleine conscience dans les soins de longue durée et sa contribution à la santé mentale des résidents. Tout en travaillant sur sa thèse, Jaclyn a passé un certain temps à travailler comme assistante de recherche et à présenter ses conclusions à la 15e Conférence mondiale sur le vieillissement “Les droits comptent”, sur un projet intitulé “Semer les graines du changement” : Lessons on building volunteerism from the Age-Friendly Niagara Network”. La région de Niagara, en Ontario, étant l’une des régions qui vieillissent le plus rapidement au Canada, cette étude qualitative exploratoire visait à produire des connaissances pour l’Age-Friendly Niagara Council et ses comités consultatifs locaux amis des aînés en identifiant des stratégies pour soutenir les bénévoles actuels et en motiver d’autres à se joindre. Jaclyn est ravie de faire partie de l’équipe de connexion des étudiants. Elle a hâte d’établir des liens avec les représentants des étudiants de tout le Canada et de les soutenir.

Secretary-Treasurer: Lucy Kervin

2022 – Present

Simon Fraser University

Lucy Kervin is a PhD candidate in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University. Lucy’s research focuses on health inequity and disparities in health and social care access and systems navigation experienced by Canadian’s who are without informal or familial care support. Her research interests include stakeholder engaged approaches to health research and knowledge translation and community-based interventions for later-life isolation. Lucy works in a research coordination capacity as part of SFU’s Gerontology Research Centre Precision Mental Health Project. She has worked in a direct care and social support capacity with older adults in disadvantaged social circumstances since 2017. Lucy is excited to join the SC-CE as Secretary Treasurer for 2022-24 and hopes to support the executive committee in engaging with gerontology students across Canada. She aims to continue working and volunteering with community-based initiatives while enhancing her project management and research skills.

Lucy Kervin est candidate au doctorat au département de gérontologie de l’Université Simon Fraser. Les recherches de Lucy portent sur les inégalités en matière de santé, les disparités dans l’accès aux soins de santé et aux services sociaux et la navigation dans les systèmes dont souffrent les Canadiens qui n’ont pas de soutien informel ou familial. Elle s’intéresse notamment aux approches de la recherche en santé et de l’application des connaissances qui font appel aux parties prenantes, ainsi qu’aux interventions communautaires visant à lutter contre l’isolement des personnes âgées. Lucy travaille à la coordination de la recherche dans le cadre du projet de santé mentale de précision du Centre de recherche en gérontologie de l’Université Simon Fraser. Elle travaille dans une capacité de soins directs et de soutien social avec des adultes âgés dans des circonstances sociales défavorisées depuis 2017. Lucy est ravie de rejoindre le SC-CE en tant que secrétaire-trésorière pour 2022-24 et espère soutenir le comité exécutif en s’engageant auprès des étudiants en gérontologie à travers le Canada. Elle souhaite continuer à travailler et à faire du bénévolat avec des initiatives communautaires tout en améliorant ses compétences en gestion de projet et en recherche.

Past President: Laura Kadowaki

2020 – Present

Simon Fraser University

Laura Kadowaki completed a PhD in Gerontology at Simon Fraser University. Her research interests include: home and community care services, community-based seniors’ services, integrated care systems, and social policy. Laura has worked on a number of research and advocacy projects including the Raising the Profile Project, the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, and the Lived Experiences of Aging Immigrants Project. Laura is the Past-President of the Canadian Association on Gerontology Student Connection, and previously has served as the President and Secretary-Treasurer. She is currently a sessional instructor at Simon Fraser University.