Shannon earned a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of British Columbia in 2016, following a Master of Science exploring the neural control of posture and movement. Their early research focused on how fear of falling, anxiety, and autonomic arousal influence the vestibular system—marking the beginning of a long-standing fascination with how the brain shapes movement. While practicing as a physiotherapist, Shannon completed a PhD in Neurorehabilitation, examining brain activation during walking after stroke. Their research showed that regardless of the severity of walking impairment, the stroke-affected hemisphere consistently works harder than the non-affected side, particularly in the prefrontal cortex (critical for cognition) and the posterior parietal cortex (essential for sensory integration).

Now living vicariously through students, Shannon is a Clinical Skills Assistant for the Adult Neurology stream in the UBC Physical Therapy Program. In this role, they guide students in hands-on assessment and treatment skills for individuals with neurological diagnoses while staying current with the latest research. Shannon believes rehabilitation should be fun, meaningful, and empowering—for everyone, not just those with a diagnosis. They encourage clients to stay active by doing what they love.

Outside the clinic, Shannon is happiest outdoors—climbing up, skiing down, or running trails. When not in motion, they enjoy gardening, eating noodles, and snuggling their cat, Ellaphant. Drop in to say hi and check out Shannon’s latest hairstyle—it rarely stays the same for long.

Shannon earned a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of British Columbia in 2016, foll... Read More