Administrative Assistant: Rachel Keshwah
Phone: 416-480-5858
Email: rkeshwah@sri.utoronto.ca

Research Coordinator: Adrian Liggins
Phone: 416-480-5858
Email: aliggins@sri.utoronto.ca

Education:

• B.A.Sc. (Hons), 1979, University of British Columbia, Canada
• SMME, 1982, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
• PhD, 1987, University of Strathclyde, UK

Appointments and Affiliations:

• Senior scientist, clinical integrative biology - brain sciences program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Director, Centre for Studies in Aging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Professor, department of surgery, University of Toronto
• Adjunct professor, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
• Adjunct professor, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University
• Adjunct scientist, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
• Member, Institute of Medical Science, School of Graduate Studies, program in neuroscience, vision science research program, University of Toronto

Research Focus:

• Balance, mobility and fall prevention in older adults

Research Summary:

My primary research interests involve the biomechanics and neural control of postural balance and movement. More specifically, my research has been aimed at:

1. Understanding age-related deterioration in balance and mobility
2. Developing more effective tools for assessing balance and predicting falling risk
3. Developing novel and more effective interventions to prevent falls and promote safe mobility.

My research program encompasses:

1. Basic science (e.g. movement biomechanics, motor control)
2. Clinical studies (e.g. balance in different patient populations, effects of medications on balance, efficacy of fall-prevention interventions)
3. Applied research and development pertaining to environmental design (e.g. stairway handrails, floor coverings) and design of assistive technology (e.g. walkers, canes, balance-enhancing footwear).

Wherever possible, my colleagues and I strive to carry the knowledge gained through our basic and applied research right through to practical application out in the ”real world”, e.g. through changes to building codes, development of new clinical instruments and methodologies, and development of new consumer products.

Selected Publications:

See current publications list at PubMed.

• Articles and technical reports related to handrail design (PDF, 416 KB)
• Other articles, book chapters and reports (PDF, 740 KB)

Related Links:

• Centre for Studies in Aging
• CIHR Balance and Mobility Team
• Falls and Mobility Network
• Toronto Rehab - Research
• U of T profile - Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering