Michelle Ogrodnik

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream
Michelle Ogrodnik.

Contact information

Office: BMH 1056

Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 41319

Email: mogrodnik@uwaterloo.ca

Teaching and research interests

I am passionate about all things teaching and learning, but especially as it relates to health and exercise psychology. From exploring the impact of physical activity on cognition and mental health to reflecting on what it means to be “healthy”, my goal is to facilitate opportunities for students to learn that health is much more than individual pathophysiology. Half of my teaching work is dedicated to faculty wide courses including HEALTH 107, our undergraduate communication requirement in the Faculty of Health. I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to connect with each of our students. The other half of my teaching work is dedicated to courses in Kinesiology and Health Sciences including KIN 354, where students first learn about health, exercise, and sport psychology. 

As a teacher I am also a learner, and work to refine my evidence-based approach. I am interested in understanding best practices to help students sustain focus, remain engaged, and retain and apply information. I am also passionate about promoting and supporting student wellness. My goal as a teacher is to create an inclusive learning environment that values each student, so that they can reach their full potential.

Teaching expertise, tools and technologies

  • Health and exercise psychology
  • Cognition and mental health
  • Sociology of health
  • Science communication

Courses

HEALTH 107: Sociology of Activity, Health and Well-Being 

HEALTH 105: Mental Health Literacy

KIN 354: Psychology of Physical Activity

KIN 471: Health Psychology  

KIN 470: Seminar in Kinesiology

Education

BSc Psychology Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University

MSc Kinesiology, McMaster University

PhD Kinesiology, McMaster University

Selected publications

See Google Scholar for full list of publications.