Madelaine Gierc

Dr. Madelaine Gierc is an MSFHR postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia, and works in clinical health psychology at St. Paul’s Hospital. She holds a MPH (Memorial University of Newfoundland), PhD (Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan), and PhD (Clinical Psychology, Queen’s University). She completed her residency with Vancouver Coastal Health. Madelaine’s training focused on (1) the role of cognition in shaping health behaviour; and (2) the implementation of cognitive, behavioural, and third-wave therapies for health and wellness.

Her research program examines the intersection between psychology, physical activity, and health. Her doctoral research included investigation of group-based cognitive-behavioural interventions for cardiac rehabilitation patients; the social cognitive factors associated with sedentary behaviour; and tailoring mindfulness-based interventions for surgical patients.

More recently, she has been involved with projects exploring the effect of COVID-19 on physical activity; implementation of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines; and mental health literacy in exercise professionals. Madelaine’s postdoctoral fellowship will examine the provision of exercise-based therapies for the treatment and management of depression.

Her research will involve three parts: (1) Developing and evaluating a training program for exercise professionals; (2) Working with patients, health care providers, and communities to identify how to create feasible, effective, and sustainable exercise-based interventions; and (3) Conducting a clinical trial examining an exercise-based intervention for patients waiting for depression treatment.

For an up-to-date list of publications by Madeleine, please see Google Scholar.

Her profile is also available on the School of Kinesiology website.