Dr. Maryse Fortin, PhD, CAT(C)
Dr. Fortin is an Associate Professor at Concordia University. Her primary area of research and clinical expertise is in musculoskeletal spine imaging and rehabilitation. Her research focuses on  understanding the role of the paraspinal musculature in the development and recurrence of low back pain and neck pain, using structural and advanced MRI and ultrasound imaging applications, with the aim of quantifying changes in muscle function and temporal degenerative changes as possible factors in persistent pain and disability. A further interest of hers is to clarify the effects of different types of exercise  therapy on the size, asymmetry, and function of the paraspinal muscles in chronic low back pain.

Daniel Wolfe, PhD(c), CAT(C)

Dan  graduated  from Concordia University with a BSc in Exercise Science in 2018 and is currently completing his PhD under the supervision of Dr. Maryse Fortin. He is the recipient of a 2020 Mitacs grant for research investigating the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on lumbar multifidus morphology and function in chronic low back pain patients. As a Certified Athletic Therapist, Dan is also particularly interested in the association between paravertebral muscle function and head injuries in athletes, and hopes his research can help identify muscle-related concussion risk factors.

Chanelle Montpetit, BSc, CAT(C)

Chanelle is currently completing her Ph.D. in Health and Exercise Science under the supervision of Dr. Maryse Fortin. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology with a specialization in Honours Athletic Therapy (2018-2022) and accelerated from her Master of Science (2022-2023) to pursue her Ph.D. As a Certified Athletic Therapist, she has a particular interest in evidence-based medicine, especially in the context of musculoskeletal health. Her projects investigate the impact of exercise on spine muscle health across various spine pathologies, including degenerative cervical myelopathy, spine metastatic cancer, chronic low back pain, and chronic neck pain. As a clinician-researcher, she aspires to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, striving to make substantial contributions toward fostering a society that is both happier and healthier.

Nicolas Vaillancourt, MSc, CAT(C)

I started my PhD in 2024, where I focus on optimizing diagnostic ultrasound in the management of Achilles and patellar tendinopathy. I have been a Certified Athletic Therapist since 2022, and I completed his Master's thesis on the effects of different exercises interventions on chronic low back pain. I am a big sports fan, I particularly love watching the Buffalo Bills and my favorite season is the Fall. I also love everything aquatic – I grew up a swimmer and worked as a lifeguard for many years. I enjoy fishing and quiet peaceful time in nature. I have a 3-year-old dog, his name is Stevie, and he is a Labrador retriever. Like me, Stevie loves everything aquatic. If there’s a lake or a pool, we are having a good time.

Leila Jamshidi, MSc

Leila Jamshidi earned her Master’s degree in Nursing from the Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences, and has over a decade of clinical experience across diverse medical wards. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Health and Exercise Science at Concordia University under the supervision of Dr. Maryse Fortin. Her research, titled “Systemic Inflammation and Skeletal Muscle Alterations in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,” explores the mechanisms of muscle dysfunction in chronic diseases and supports the development of targeted, exercise-based therapeutic interventions. As a clinician-researcher, she strives to translate scientific discoveries into practical applications that enhance patient care and well-being. Her work bridges the gap between research and clinical practice, empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and contributing to a more resilient and engaged society.

Cléo Bertrand, BA, BSc

Cléo is currently in her 2nd year of PhD in Health & Exercise Science. She completed her BA in Psychology with a minor in Behavioral Sciences at McGill University in 2019 and her BSc Honours in Health, Kinesiology & Applied Physiology in 2024. Cleo is interested in the psychosocial factors and neurological mechanisms related to chronic low back pain. More specifically, her projects use qualitative methods to explore patient perspectives on exercise therapy for chronic low back pain, and magnetic resonance imaging to investigate changes in the brain and paraspinal musculature of people living with low back pain. Her overall aim is to help individuals feel empowered about their wellbeing through research, education, community-building. 

Alicia Wright, MSc, CSEP-CEP, FKQ-Kinesiologist

Alicia is a second-year PhD student in Health and Exercise Science under the supervision of Dr. Fortin. She holds a B.Sc. in Athletic Therapy and M.Sc. in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Concordia University. A certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Kinesiologist, Alicia has extensive experience in the health and wellness field working with healthy, clinical and athletic populations. Her research focuses on physical activity promotion and the role of exercise in the prevention and management of acute and chronic health conditions. Her current doctoral work examines for individuals with chronic low back pain, specifically assessing the effects of hip strength, mobility and sedentary behaviour on pain and disability outcomes. She is also exploring how factors such as ethnicity and location of residence influence low back pain management. focus around exercise interventions and the effects of hip strength, mobility and sedentary behaviour on low back pain outcomes. Alicia’s ultimate goal is to develop  accessible, evidence-based exercise interventions that promote health equity and improve quality of life for people living with low back pain  across diverse socioeconomic groups.

Adam Kobaisi, BSc

Adam is a direct-entry PhD student in Exercise Science at Concordia University, where he continues to build upon his strong foundation in exercise science, rehabilitation, and clinical research. His doctoral work, supervised by Dr. Maryse Fortin and in collaboration with PhD colleague Chanelle Montpetit, focuses on exploring rehabilitation strategies and clinical outcomes for patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy, with an emerging interest in virtual rehabilitation approaches. His research and career interests are centered on meaningful collaboration with healthcare professionals, with a particular focus on enhancing clinical methodologies to improve patient outcomes and care strategies. He remains committed to promoting evidence-based practices and advancing rehabilitation approaches within the field.

Olivia Iorio, MSc(c)

Olivia graduated with a BSc in Honours Kinesiology and Clinical Exercise Physiology at Concordia University with a thesis titled “Relationship Between Paraspinal Muscle Cross-Sectional Area, Fatty Infiltration, and Muscle Strength in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.” Olivia has always been interested in spinal research, back pain, and human anatomy, which led her to continue to study with Dr. Maryse Fortin. Olivia is completing her third year of her MSc in Health and Exercise Science and is in her second year of medical school. She will continue to look at the relationship between paraspinal muscle morphology and lumbar extensor muscle strength at each spinal level in subjects with and without chronic low back pain while using AI-generated and manual segmentation techniques.

Daniel Kaffash Mohammadi, BSc

Daniel recently graduated with a BSc in Honours Exercise Science at Concordia University and he is now in his first year of MSc in Health and Exercise Science. He enjoys playing sports such as soccer and has a strong interest in the medical field, particularly musculoskeletal health. He is currently finalizing his systematic review and meta-analysis on ultrasound characteristics in individuals with Achilles and patellar tendinopathy, with a focus on imaging protocols. For his graduate research, he is working with PhD student Nicolas Vaillancourt on a project investigating the acute effects of a standardized bout of weight-bearing exercise on Achilles and patellar tendon ultrasound-measured stiffness in athletes with and without tendinopathy. He has the goal of improving the understanding of tendon load responses and informing the development of more targeted rehabilitation strategies.

Siena Di Liello

Siena is in her last year of her Honours Exercise Science bachelor program at Concordia University. Throughout her studies, she has developed a strong passion for musculoskeletal injuries and patient care. This has fostered her drive to pursue a career in medicine where she can apply her knowledge and help others overcome their pain. For her Honours thesis, Siena is working alongside Dr. Fortin and other colleagues in researching the associations of thoracic, hip and ankle range of motion and how this can affect people with chronic lower back pain. Siena’s goal is the determine if there are any early predictors when assessing chronic lower back pain. She is dedicated in offering her insight in the field of research and helping others.

Sofia Di Liello

Sofia is currently finishing her last year of her honours exercise science bachelor’s degree. Her passion to pursue a career in medicine has inspired her to join Dr. Fortin’s lab that focuses on the musculoskeletal spine imaging and rehabilitation. Her desire to promote a healthy lifestyle is truly apparent through her dedication in running half marathons and skiing. With the help of another undergraduate student and PhD student, Sofia’s research focuses on the associations of thoracic, hip, and ankle biomechanics with chronic low back pain. With this research interest and focus on the functional tests and strength of the joints, she hopes to gain a better insight on chronic low back pain and how it could impact the lives of those affected.

Jacob Richmond

Jacob is in his final year of the Honours program in Kinesiology and Clinical Exercise Physiology at Concordia University. Under the supervision of Dr. Maryse Fortin and in collaboration with PhD student Cléo Bertrand, his Honours project is to conduct a qualitative evidence synthesis on patient perceptions of participation in trials of exercise interventions for the management of chronic low back pain. With a background as a high-performance athlete, Jacob has a long-standing interest in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. He is motivated by a commitment to helping people lead healthy and fulfilling lives through physical activity. 

Nicolas Fortin

Nicolas is currently in his third year of Athletic Therapy studies and is enrolled in the Honours program at Concordia University. Passionate, curious, and enthusiastic about the world of human anatomy, he developed a strong interest in spinal biomechanics, morphology, and pathology during his time as a strength and conditioning coach and throughout his Athletic Therapy studies. This interest motivated him to join Dr. Fortin’s lab and pursue the Honours program. He is currently assisting with research on the effects of different exercise interventions on paraspinal muscle morphology and low back pain. His goal is to satisfy his curiosity by conducting research in this field, with the hope of contributing to meaningful improvements in the quality of life for individuals living with low back pain.