Serene Kerpan
PhD
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Health Sciences
My research focuses on the health and educational success of children and youth through the promotion of physical activity. Specifically, I investigate how physical activity impacts mental health and learning. Through community-engaged scholarship I cultivate strong relationships with Indigenous schools and communities to investigate the effect of physical activity on the well-being of Indigenous children and youth.
Contact information
North Oshawa
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5
905.721.8668 ext. 2961
Research topics
- Physical activity and learning
- physical activity and mental health
- school-based physical activity
- Indigenous health
- Indigenous physical activity
- community-engaged research
Research and expertise
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Background and interests
My most recent projects bring together research on physical activity, learning, and mental health with community-engaged Indigenous health research. Most recently, during my post-doctoral fellowship, I conducted research examining the impact of physical activity on the mental well-being of Indigenous children and youth through community-based research. Prior to this, I conducted a mixed-methods, participatory action research project that explored how physical activity affected on-task behaviour for Indigenous elementary school children.
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Publications
For a comprehensive list of publications, please visit Research Gate.
Kerpan S., Humbert L. (2016) Playing Together: The Physical Activity Beliefs and Behaviors of Urban Aboriginal Youth. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 12(10), 1409-1413.
Kerpan S., Humbert L. (2015) Determinants of Diet for Urban Aboriginal Youth. Health Promotion Practice, 16(3), 392-400.
Kerpan S., Humbert, L. (2015). The Effects of Integrated Classroom-Based Physical Activity on On-Task Behavior for Aboriginal Children in Grade Four & Grade Five. Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport, 47(1).
West, K., Henderson, A., Kawalilak, C., Ferguson, L., Krushelinski, C., Morris, E., Neumann-Boxer E., Smyth S. (2013) Difficult … But Worthwhile: Teaching Portfolios and Graduate Student Professional Development. Studies in Graduate and Professional Student Development: Context and Content in the Preparation of Future Faculty. New Forums Press.
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Courses taught
Undergraduate level:
- Contemporary Health Issues
- Health and Indigenous People in Canada (winter 2018)
- Health Aspects of Physical Activity
- Social Behavioural Foundations of Physical Activity
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Grants
- Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
- 2016, $100,000
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research Doctoral Research Award
- 2014, $108,000
- Indigenous Peoples Health Research Centre
- 2012, $21,000
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Frederick Banting & Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship
- 2009, $17,500
- Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
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Education
- PhD: the University of Saskatchewan, College of Kinesiology
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: the University of Saskatchewan, College of Medicine, Community Health and Epidemiology
