publications
funding
about me
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, and a Research Scientist at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton. I am also a member of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute (NMHI) and an affiliate within the Department of Biomedical Engineering, both at the University of Alberta. I received my Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, and completed a MITACS postdoctoral fellowship in Neuroscience at the University of Waterloo. In line with my interdisciplinary background, my work lies at the interface between human movement neuromechanics, human motor control, and rehabilitation engineering. Using both experimental and theoretical means, my team’s efforts are focused on gaining a better understanding of how we control movement and on enhancing functional independence following neuromuscular impairment.
Research Interests
Current research activities include the identification of active and passive mechanisms involved in human postural control; characterizing the role of sensory noise in sensorimotor speed of processing; establishing quantitative techniques, e.g., motion capture, for effective evaluation of rehabilitation outcomes; and developing advanced assistive technologies for postural control using functional electrical stimulation.
Particular research topics focus on:
neural balance control strategies during postural control
quantitative assessment of upper limb function following impairment
central processing times (‘reaction times’) during voluntary motor tasks and evoked responses in different populations
musculoskeletal biomechanics of the human trunk and their role in stabilizing posture during activities of daily life
biomechanical mechanisms of muscle fatigue induced by functional electrical stimulation (FES)
My goal is to foster strong collaborations with clinicians, human movement scientists, and engineers within Alberta and across the country.
Appointments & Affiliations
Jan 2013 – Present: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada - Assistant Professor (Main Appointment)
Sep 2014 – Present: Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute (NMHI), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada - Faculty Member
Sep 2014 – Present: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada - Adjunct Assistant Professor
Jan 2013 – Present: Research & Technology Development, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Canada - Research Scientist
Academic Background
Sep 2010 – Dec 2012: Postdoctoral Fellow in Neuroscience & Rehabilitation Science, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo & The Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
Program: Stroke-Related Slowing of Balance Reactions: Understanding Mechanisms and Developing Treatments
May 2006 – Apr 2011: Ph.D. Candidate in Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
Thesis: Trunk Stability during Postural Control: Tool Development and Analysis
Jan 2005 – Apr 2006 (*): M.A.Sc. Candidate in Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
Thesis: Trunk Stability during Postural Control: Tool Development and Analysis
Jan 2001 – Dec 2004 (†): Dipl.-Ing. (FH) in Medical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical and Medical Engineering, Furtwangen University, Germany
Thesis: Closed-Loop Control of Upright Standing
(*) Interrupted studies to transfer to Ph.D. program (bypass)
(†) Completion of one study term at Murdoch University Perth, Australia (Feb 2004 – Jun 2004)
collaborations
University of Alberta
Christopher Dennison, Ph.D. - University of Alberta, Department of Mechanical Engineering - Edmonton, Canada
Hossein Rouhani, Ph.D. - University of Alberta, Department of Mechanical Engineering - Edmonton, Canada
Sukhdeep Dulai, M.D. - University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Edmonton, Canada
Jacqueline Hebert, M.D. - University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Edmonton, Canada
Patrick Pilarski, Ph.D. - University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Edmonton, Canada
Lauren Beaupre, Ph.D. - University of Alberta, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine - Edmonton, Canada
Greg Kawchuk, Ph.D. - University of Alberta, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine - Edmonton, Canada
Craig Chapman, Ph.D. - University of Alberta, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation - Edmonton, Canada
SMART Network - Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology - University of Alberta, Neuroscience & Mental Health Institute - Edmonton, Canada
National & International
Kei Masani, Ph.D. - University of Toronto, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering - Toronto, Canada
Dimitry Sayenko, M.D. - Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery - Houston, USA
Kimitaka Nakazawa, Ph.D. - University of Tokyo, Department of Life Sciences - Tokyo, Japan
Professional Memberships
2013 – Present: The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
2010 – Present: The American Society of Biomechanics (ASB)
2009 – Present: The Society for Neuroscience (SfN)
2009 – Present: The International Society for Posture and Gait Research (ISPGR)
2009 – Present: The International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS)
2008 – Present: The International Society of Biomechanics (ISB)
2008 – Present: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
2008 – Present: The IEEE Control Systems Society (CSS)
2008 – Present: The IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS)
2008 – Present: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Teaching
Instructor (University of Alberta)
MecE 420: Feedback Control Design of Dynamic Systems (undergraduate)
MecE 653: Signal Processing of Time and Spectral Series (graduate)