Graduate Diploma Student Profiles

 Graduate Diploma Student Morgan Howell

Morgan Howell

Morgan Howell is a graduate diploma student who was born in South Carolina, USA, and graduated from high school in Red Lake, Ontario. He completed his Honours Bachelor's of Kinesiology degree in 2025 at Lakehead University. Morgan has work/placement experience in the renewable energy and mining sectors, focusing on workplace safety and occupational health capacity. Morgan hopes to combine these industrial experiences with his kinesiology background in an effort to improve workplace safety and offer insight in all forms of ergonomic consulting. Recently, Morgan completed a year-long project for the City of Thunder Bay, analysing injury claims data, conducting in-field ergonomic assessments, and prescribing personalized stretching routines for a variety of their diverse staff and respective roles. 

 

 Graduate Diploma Student Rachel Thompson

Rachel Thompson

Rachel Thompson is a graduate student in the Graduate Diploma Program of Kinesiology at Lakehead University. She earned her Bachelor of Kinesiology degree from Lakehead in 2024. Rachel has worked with a variety of sports teams, including the women’s varsity volleyball team and the Nipigon Junior B hockey club, where she supported athletes in training, recovery, and injury management. After completing her degree, she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital as a rehabilitation assistant in geriatric rehab, gaining valuable experience with patients across diverse demographics and health conditions. These experiences have shaped Rachel’s passion for rehabilitation and hands-on clinical practice. She is excited to continue building her expertise and to bring both knowledge and compassion into her future career in kinesiology and rehabilitation.  
 Graduate Diploma Student Veronica Giancola

Veronica Giancola

Veronica is a Graduate Diploma student who recently completed her Honour’s Bachelor of Kinesiology degree at Lakehead University. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted a qualitative thesis project in collaboration with a research team, examining the barriers and facilitators of physical activity among international students at Lakehead. She also gained hands-on placement experience at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she shadowed and worked alongside an Occupational Therapist (OT), collaborated with an interprofessional team, and became familiar with a variety of OT assessments. Veronica hopes to continue pursuing this path in her future career. Outside of academics, she enjoys hiking, baking, working out, and spending time with friends and family.
 Graduate Diploma Student Victoria Dorion

 

Victoria Dorion

 

Victoria is a Graduate Diploma student at Lakehead University. She recently completed her Undergraduate Degree in Kinesiology at LU. During her studies, she conducted a research project on the biomechanical determinants of agility in youth female hockey players, under the supervision of Dr. Eryk Przysucha. Victoria has gained a wide range of experience working with athletes as a strength and conditioning coach in wrestling and men’s hockey, as well as a varsity trainer with women’s volleyball and men’s basketball. She has also worked extensively with the general population at TBRHSC as a rehab assistant, supporting physiotherapists and occupational therapists in improving patient care and ensuring patients are prepared to return home after surgery or illness.

 

Outside of school, Victoria enjoys swimming, hiking, cycling, and other activities that keep her moving. She also appreciates quieter pastimes such as reading, arts and crafts, and spending time with friends.