Vanessa Lin, a rower, weightlifter and strength coach, was an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto when she volunteered to participate in a study about the effects of restricting blood flow before exercise on upper-body trained athletes.
The study, led by a graduate student, explored the effects of what's known as ischemic preconditioning (IPC), a non-invasive intervention where brief interruptions to blood flow prime muscles to better handle the oxygen depletion that comes with hard physical effort.
Her interest piqued, Lin went on to pursue a master of science degree and completed her own IPC study. It involved placing blood pressure cuffs on trained rowers' legs before they performed a two-kilometre test on an indoor rowing machine that simulates on-water rowing while precisely measuring work output.
"For my study, the blood pressure cuffs were inflated to stop blood flow to the legs, then deflated to re-establish blood flow," says Lin, who worked in the Human Physiology Lab under the supervision of Ira Jacobs, a professor of exercise physiology in the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE).
"The purpose of the study was to see if IPC application improved rowing performance."
Lin says she had a personal interest in the outcome of her study, having been a member of the Varsity Blues rowing team from 2022 to 2024 - an experience that left an impression and helped her find community at the university. Together, the team navigated the 4 a.m. wakeups, a busy training schedule, school and work commitments - all while stretching their physical and mental endurance.
Among the highlights: travelling to Victoria to compete at the Canadian University Rowing Championships; racing at the Head of the Trent, North America's largest single-day head-race regatta, featuring more than 1,400 athletes competing along a five-kilometre course; and getting elected as the equity, diversity and inclusion executive member for the rowing team.
"Through rowing, I got the privilege of experiencing what it is like to be a collegiate rower and member of the Varsity Blues," says Lin. "I was also lucky enough to have met some of my closest friends."
She also managed to rack up more than a few non-sporting accomplishments, including securing the Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport (TISS) research accelerator grant (which funded her master's study) and being selected for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Impact Honouree at KPE.
Following convocation, Lin plans to continue working with Jacobs as a research assistant, completing data collection for her rowing study. She will also continue to be lead strength coach for the Varsity Blues women's lacrosse team and work as a strength and conditioning coach at the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario.
She also plans to remain in her role as lead coach for U of T's Sport & Rec Olympic weightlifting courses - all while competing in weightlifting herself.
Lin competed at the Ontario Senior Weightlifting Championship in November 2025 and is currently working towards qualifying for the provincial championship again and, eventually, the national championship.
Her advice to future students?
"Get involved and take advantage of all the opportunities that are available in the Faculty and throughout the university," she says. "There are so many clubs, intramural teams and job opportunities.
"A lot of the opportunities and experiences I have gotten, both academically and professionally, would not have been possible if I hadn't applied."
