Our lab is called M4 for a reason: mobility is multifaceted, multifactorial, and requires a multidisciplinary mindset to truly create change.
— Dr. Michael Kalu
When students engage with real-world problems, they don’t just develop skills — they develop purpose. That’s what the M4 and Aging Lab is all about.
— Dr. Michael Kalu
Program of Research
Mobility and Older Adults
The M4 and Aging Lab explores the Multifaceted, Multifactorial, and Multidisciplinary complexity of Mobility in older adults. Dr. Michael Kalu’s research examines cognitive, physical, social, and environmental factors, combining real-life and lab-based mobility assessments to develop interventions across care settings, from hospital-to-home transitions to community and long-term care.
Physiotherapy, Education, and Transdisciplinary Approaches
Dr. Kalu's research includes strategies to enhance social and functional health for older adults through physiotherapy-based educational frameworks and practice models. These models foster a transdisciplinary approach that integrates diverse perspectives in healthcare, optimizing social and functional outcomes for aging populations.
Aging, Black Communities, and Sub-Saharan Africa
Addressing health disparities is a cornerstone of Dr. Kalu's research. His work focuses on the unique mobility needs of Black older adults in Sub-Saharan Africa and other low-resource settings. By leveraging socio-cultural insights, the lab co-develops culturally adapted, evidence-based physical activity programs to enhance mobility and overall well-being.
Health Equity
In the M4 and Aging Lab, health equity means ensuring that all individuals, regardless of cultural background or socioeconomic status, have access to care, resources, and opportunities for a fulfilling life. By addressing systemic disparities, particularly in diverse and low-resource communities, the lab emphasizes co-production, evidence synthesis, and tailored methodologies to deliver impactful solutions.
Methodological Expertise
- Systematic and Scoping Reviews: Conducting evidence syntheses to inform best practices and provide a foundation for future research and policy development.
- Qualitative Inquiries & Co-production: Collaborating with stakeholders to co-create tailored solutions that reflect community needs and priorities.
- Mixed and Multi-method Approaches: Combining qualitative and quantitative methods to capture holistic insights into complex research questions.
- Consensus Methodologies: Engaging expert panels to develop evidence-based guidelines and frameworks that inform decision-making.
- Adapted Methodologies: Modifying research approaches to fit low-resource settings, ensuring relevance, accessibility, and impact.
Regional Impact of Our Research
Explore the geographical regions where Dr. Michael Kalu's impactful research has made a difference, focusing on Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Learn More
Feel free to reach out to us if you're interested in learning more about our current studies or exploring ways to get involved.