Contacts

Research Interests: Lauren is a doctoral candidate in the Aging, Health and Well-Being program conducting research to understand how we can better use physical activity to promote healthy cognitive aging and to help people live well with dementia. To do this, Lauren uses a variety of approaches, from epidemiological analyses of national cohort studies to person-centered, qualitative research engaging persons with lived experience of dementia. Findings from these research initiatives will help enable people in later life to take an active role in aging well.

Current studies:

• COVID-19 health beliefs across the lifespan. Lauren is currently analyzing the data recently collected from this online survey
• The DELIGHT Initiative: Co-designing Dementia Lifestyle Interventions for Getting Healthy Together
• The DICE Project: Dementia-Inclusive Choices for Exercise
• Understanding physical activity behaviours and barriers in Canada's aging population
• Physical activity experiences, perceptions, and beliefs of persons with young-onset dementia

Research Interests: Sam worked for several years as a physical therapist before returning to academic in order to keep up with emerging knowledge in the field of geriatric exercise and well-being. She knew she could translate her clinical experience and expertise into practical research innovations. Sam is interested in exploring the impact of exercise on older adult’s physical and mental well-being. In particular, her research focuses on using technological innovations (such as virtual reality [VR] and exergames) to promote exercise engagement among older adults with cognitive impairments and mood disorders. She hopes to encourage older adults to stay physically active and engage in exercise regularly to benefit their physical and psychological health and build social connections. 

Current Studies: In addition to assiting in clinical assessments and SYNERGIC exercise interventions, Sam is involved in designing, developing, and evaluating a set of VR exergames that are tailored to the unique needs and abilities of persons living with dementia to encourage physical activity participation and improve quality of life in dementia, and explore what facilitates/limits their engagement in VR exergames. In this project, she is collaborating with experts in assistive technologies, the Games Institute, VR technologists, exercise professionals, and persons living with dementia. Sam is also working toward recruitment for a study examining barriers, facilitators, and the role of technology in promoting and maintaining home-based physical activity participation for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. She hopes to inform adaptability of future home-based exercise programing to prepare exercise professionals and older adults for other unexpected situations such as inclement weather or a pandemic.

Research Interests: Kish has completed her Master's and undergraduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. In her Master’s she conducted a clinical trial to delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease. For her Ph.D., she is interested in understanding how sensory and cognitive deficits in Parkinson’s disease contribute to gait impairment. She then wants to explore whether physical activity interventions can alleviate these symptoms. Understanding and treating gait impairments will help reduce falls, improve independence and the overall quality of life of people living with Parkinson’s.

Current Studies: She is excited to be working with the Brain and Body lab. She is looking forward to planning her studies.

Research Interests: Neha completed her Masters in Public Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and her research interests focused on health inequities, mental health and health policy. She is a current part-time PhD student in the Brain and Body lab, where her research interests are in dementia policies, participatory research and inequities in dementia care and outcomes. 

Current Studies: Dementia Capable Communities

Research Interests: My research interests include exploring innovative approaches to improve post-diagnostic support for people with dementia and care partners. I am also interested in investigating non-pharmacological interventions that promote mental health and psychological well-being among older adults.

Current Studies: Understanding the Needs and Gaps in Support for People Living with Dementia, Adapting an AI-Enabled Resource Navigation Platform for People Living with Dementia, Investigating the Acute Effects of Exercise on Anxiety [Stress] and Mood among Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment

Research Interests: Jessica has been passionate about exercise for as long as she can remember, and has been able to share her passion over the last few years when teaching Muay Thai at UWaterloo. Having completed two undergrad degrees at Waterloo (Science with minor in Biology/Psychology; Kinesiology with minor in Rehab Sciences) and after taking courses regarding aging and physical activity, she became more interested in cognitive function and aging.

Current Studies: Jessica is currently doing her PhD studies in the Sensorimotor Control and Learning Lab (SCiLL). She is still with the Brain and Body lab as a research assistant helping out with the DELIGHT program. 

Research Interests: Social and intergenerational experiences in community dementia care programs 
Current Studies: Evaluating the Brain and Body Program: The Role of Social Relationships and Intergenerational Engagement in Dementia Care

Research Interests: Public Health, Healthy Aging, Dementia-Inclusive Communication, Social Impacts of Wellness Programs

Current Projects: SYNERGIC-2 (site coordinator), Long-Term Care Physical Activity Guideline Development