Associate Professors, George Mochizuki and Anthony Scime, along with Assistant Professors, Michael Paris and Devin Phillips in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science are among thirteen York University researchers have received infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to support projects in artificial intelligence, health equity, nanosatellite manufacturing, muscle health and more.
George Mochizuki, Faculty of Health
Project: Walking while talking: Assessing the interplay between age, distraction and mobility
Amount: $72,422
Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults in Canada. This project will examine how distraction affects balance and mobility in middle-aged and older adults, with and without a history of falls. The goal is to identify early predictors of fall risk and support strategies to reduce injuries as people age.
Anthony Scime, Faculty of Health
Project: Integrated platform for high-resolution analyses of stem cells and tissues in response to metabolic pre-conditioning
Amount: $100,000
Scime’s project will develop strategies to restore muscle function in aging Canadians and those with peripheral artery disease. With new equipment, the research will study how muscle stem cells and vascular cells repair skeletal muscle over time, addressing a major health care challenge that currently lacks effective solutions.
Michael Paris, Faculty of Health
Project: A novel laboratory to study sarcopenia and the neuromuscular control of movement across the ageing spectrum
Amount: $80,000
Paris will establish a lab to study sarcopenia – the age-related loss of muscle strength and mass – and how it affects mobility and independence in older adults. The research will explore how exercise influences muscle and nerve function, using new equipment to track disease progression and develop effective rehabilitation strategies.
Devin Phillips, Faculty of Health
Project: A novel laboratory to investigate cardiorespiratory function and perceived dyspnea during physiological stress in humans
Amount: $138,000
This project will create a lab to study why people experience shortness of breath – or dyspnea – during physical activity. By examining how the heart and lungs respond to movement and how breathlessness is perceived, the research will improve understanding and treatment of this common and limiting symptom.