Aging Studies Faculty

Cluster Leader: Musculoskeletal Health and Mobility

Research Interests: Use of proprioceptive feedback to control joint interaction torques in multijoint movement, adaptation of neuromuscular control mechanisms to microgravity environments, role of proprioceptive feedback in maintaining joint stability, role of central pattern generators in cyclic upper limb movements, applications of non-linear dynamics systems to the neural control of movement, the impact of deficient proprioception on joint stability and postural control mechanisms in the aging population, the impact of deficient postural control on gait and obstacle avoidance in patients with Parkinson’s disease and the effect of age and osteoarthritis on knee proprioception.

Clinical Interests: improved neuromuscular control through increased physical activity for elderly subjects, rehabilitation programs for patients with shoulder instability.

Cluster Leader: Biological Basis of Age-Related Brain Disorders

Research Interests: Dr. Buttigieg’s area of interest is centered on better understanding the pathophysiology associated with diseases such as dementia (e.g. Alzheimer’s), autoimmune diseases (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis), and injury (e.g. stroke or spinal cord injury). Using pharmacological interventions, the aim of Dr. Buttigieg’s research is to mitigate the severity of damage to the CNS. However, once injury has occurred, to use stem cell intervention to reduce or reverse injury and tissue damage.

Research Interests: Exercise, Nutrition, and Aging

Research Interests: Attention; cardiac rehabilitation; executive functioning; physical activity.

Clinical Interests: Psychological performance in sport and exercise, goal setting.

Cluster Leader: Aging and Long-Term Care

Research Interests:

At the ARC Research Unit, we aim to improve the well-being of individuals who are aging with acute illness, chronic disease, and/or serious mental illness with a focus on people living with dementia and/or residing in long-term care homes. Some of our current projects include the following: (1) acceptance and commitment therapy for caregivers of long-term care residents; (2) loneliness and social isolation among people living with dementia; (3) long-term care residents living with serious mental illness; and (4) time perception and temporalities among people living with dementia.

Research Interests: Leisure and aging, leisure and chronic conditions, leisure and dementia, the lived experience of dementia, leisure and retirement, Therapeutic Recreation in Long-Term Care, and qualitative methodologies.

Cluster Leader: Aging and Women’s Health

Research Interests: The role of ovarian hormones in the etiology of perimenopausal depression, cardiovascular effects of perimenopausal hormone changes, mechanisms linking hot flashes and increased cardiovascular disease risk

Cluster Leader: Pain in Old Age

Research Interests: Pain assessment, dementia, gerontology, ethics and standards of professional practice, clinical psychology, and health psychology.

Clinical Interests: Adult Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Adult Psychological Assessment.

Research Interests: Neurorehabilitation, stroke, brain injury, motor learning, motor control.

Clinical Interests: Community exercise and rehabilitation programming.

Cluster Leader: Indigenous Perspectives on Life and Holistic Health

Research Interests: My primary research interests focus on the role of cultural connectedness for Indigenous peoples’ mental health and holistic wellness. My research projects use innovative blends of quantitative, qualitative, and Indigenous methodologies to increase the relevance of my research for Indigenous communities. I specialize in conducting strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches to community-based participatory research, and decolonized nature-based psychotherapy with Indigenous peoples.

Clinical Interests: Culturally-specific psychotherapy with Indigenous populations.

Research Interests: Healthy aging in place, Older adults quality of life, Black older adults social connectedness, Racialized older adults social connectedness, Cohousing community and older adults quality of life.

Aging Studies Program Coordinator

Research Interests: long-term care, dementia care, palliative and end-of-life care, advanced practice nursing