Opportunities to pursue a PhD are available in the Bone Health and Exercise Science Lab at the University of Waterloo, under the supervision of Dr. Lora Giangregorio.
The trainee will have the opportunity to develop independent research related to reducing the burden of osteoporotic fractures, or work on ongoing research projects. Ongoing research in the laboratory includes:
- A longitudinal study of bone health and body composition in individuals with neurological impairment due to spinal cord injury (SCI).
- Studies evaluating medical imaging techniques for assessment of bone, muscle, and fat.
- A multicentre randomized controlled trial of physiotherapist-led home exercise in women with osteoporotic spine fractures.
- Primary care-based interventions for chronic disease management.
- Knowledge translation of physical activity and exercise recommendations, in partnership with Osteoporosis Canada, including knowledge translation research.
Trainees are guaranteed funding for four years. The research is supported by external funding from provincial and federal agencies. There are opportunities to collaborate within a strong, collaborative, interdisciplinary network of researchers in Ontario, British Columbia and Melbourne, Australia. Our team has a peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scanner for imaging bone and muscle, and can collaborated to get access to high resolution pQCT.
Waterloo’s Department of Kinesiology includes 23 faculty members, 18 adjunct faculty, more than 20 staff (including teaching and research staff, technicians, computer and administrative support staff), approximately 1 000 undergraduate students, and approximately 90 graduate students (Master’s and PhD). Part of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, the Department of Kinesiology is housed in B.C. Matthews Hall and the Lyle S. Hallman Institute for Health Promotion. The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging is partnered with the University of Waterloo, with the mission of enhancing the quality of life and care of older adults through partnerships in research, education and practice. Our research involves close partnership with Osteoporosis Canada.
The selected student is expected to enroll either in Kinesiology PhD program (https://uwaterloo.ca/kinesiology/future-graduate-students), or the Aging, Health and Wellbeing PhD program (https://uwaterloo.ca/applied-health-sciences/current-graduates/aging-health-and-well-being-phd).
To apply, contact Dr. Giangregorio directly via email. Informal inquiries are welcome.