Ontario is helping leading-edge researchers in Waterloo make discoveries that will improve the lives of people around the world and continue to create jobs here at home.
The latest round of research investments via the Ontario Research Fund and Early Researcher Awards includes support for:
Preventing bone fractures caused by osteoporosis
Project title: Adaptations in bone quality in response to neurologic injury and reduced mechanical loading
Lead researcher: Lora Giangregorio
Number of researchers benefiting: 11
Traumatic neurologic injury caused by stroke or spinal cord injury results in bone loss and increased risk of fracture. At the University of Waterloo kinesiologist Dr. Lora Giangregorio is investigating how this happens. Her goal is to develop ways to better predict and prevent bone fractures among these patients and others with osteoporosis.
Reducing injuries brought on by falls
Project title: Biomechanics of falls and impact-related injuries
Lead researcher: Andrew Laing
Provincial funding: $30,000
Number of researchers benefiting: 6
Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among seniors in Ontario. At the University of Waterloo Dr. Andrew Laing is studying the causes, circumstances and biomechanics of falls. His goal is to develop effective interventions, such as compliant flooring, that would reduce the incidence and severity of fall-related injuries.
Developing therapies to treat people with problems moving their hands
Project title: Representations of the hand in higher-order somatic loci and their neural interactions with primary motor cortex
Lead researcher: Aimee Nelson
Number of researchers benefiting: 4
Three out of four stroke victims have problems moving their hands, making it hard to do simple tasks everyone else takes for granted. University of Waterloo kinesiologist Dr. Aimee Nelson is using neuroimaging to investigate how healthy brains control hand function, research that may lead to new therapies for treating people with impaired hand movement.
For more information, visit the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation.