Meet The Team
Phil Chilibeck, Ph.D.
Professor in Kinesiology
Phil has led a number of research studies showing that pulse consumption is beneficial for improving cardiometabolic health in clinical populations and that pulses also have potential to improve metabolism and performance during exercise in athletes.
Gord Zello, Ph.D.
Professor in Nutrition
Gord has expertise in nutrient requirements and has conducted research in improving the nutrition health of Canadians and those in other countries. Pulse research includes studies in athletes, healthy and clinical populations. In Ethiopia and Bangladesh, nutrition investigations have focused in promoting a traditional pulse diet in groups who are protein and nutrient deficient, as well as those that more likely to adopt a less nutritious Western diet.
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Ken Mullock is a Registered Dietitian who recently graduated from the nutrition program at the University of Saskatchewan. He currently lives in Regina, SK, and works in health navigation and research. On the EPIC Health team, Ken films and edits the YouTube videos. He loves using social media to share his passion for pulses!
Leandy Bertrand, Ph.D.
Leandy has an academic background in Nutrition and research interest in food environments and health. She completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship with the EPIC health Team. Leandy enjoys cooking.
JongBum Ko
JongBum has an academic background in biochemistry, physiology, and kinesiology. He has been a research assistant with the EPIC Health team and enjoys learning new knowledge and interacting with participants during projects. He LOVES tennis and cooking.
Julianne Gordon
Julianne completed her BSc. and MSc. in Kinesiology and has been a research assistant with many of the research projects that demonstrate the positive effects of pulses. She is a mom to a picky 3-year-old eater and is always looking for new healthy and delicious recipes.
Keely Shaw
Keely is a doctoral student in the College of Kinesiology with a focus on Exercise Physiology and Sport Nutrition. She has been involved in various research projects investigating the health benefits of pulses. When she’s not doing research, Keely is a member of the Canadian Paracycling team, where she is the current National champion in the road race, holds the current National record in the Individual Pursuit, and is a Tokyo 2021 Paralympic bronze medalist.
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Abdi Absher
Abdi has completed his BSc. in Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan. He worked as a summer student with the EPIC health team and is passionate about promoting exercise, physical activity and health literacy within his community.
Maryam Kazemi, Ph.D.
CIHR Fellow, Postdoctoral Associate at Cornell University, USASK alum, and Dietitian. Maryam’s research is focused on personalized trans-disciplinary lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise) to improve cardio-metabolic and musculoskeletal aberrations of women with obesity and endocrine disorders. She initially put together the EPIC Health Recipes as part of her PhD research on the health benefits of pulse foods and enjoys the translational aspects of the EPIC Health on public health.
Dalton Deprez
Dalton is a Master of Physical Therapy student who completed his BSc. Kinesiology in 2020. Dalton worked as a summer student with the EPIC health team and has a keen interest in exercise programming and health education.
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