Festive 2025 Research Update
by Caitlin McArthur, School Associate Professor and Research Committee Chair
School of Physiotherapy researchers continue to work hard to re-energize research projects affected by the fall term labour disruption. Momentum is building once again, and we are delighted to share that several graduate student thesis proposals and defences have moved forward successfully (see list below).
Congratulations to MSc- Rehabilitation Research graduates Meg Hannigan (Supervisor: Dr. Rebecca Moyer) and Ewan Galloway (Supervisor: Dr. Derek Rutherford). We hope you will take a moment to read Meg's grad profile interview - Transformative network of support and puruse their thesis discoveries.
- The Role of Pain Sensitization and Muscle Function in Knee Osteoarthritis Mechanics by Meg Hannigan and
- Frontal Plane Landing Mechanics and Gluteus Medius Muscle Activity in Individuals Returned to Sport Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction by Ewan Galloway
Our trainees—graduate students and postdoctoral fellows—are truly at the heart of our research culture. Their innovation, creativity, and perseverance enrich our programs, energize our labs, and inspire our classrooms every day.
This summer and fall, our research-focused graduate students have also earned a number of prestigious external awards, highlighted below. We are so proud of the exceptional work they are leading. Congratulations everyone!
Jasmine Friedrich Yap
Student program of study: MScRR
Award name: UHN CAN TAP Talent Summer Student Award, AgeWell EPIC-AT Fellowship, VHA Home HealthCare Graduate Research Award
Award value: $6000, $8000, $5000
Award term: 2025
Project summary: Adapting current fracture prevention guidelines to the home care context in Canada to reduce clinical uncertainty and support aging-in-place.
Supervisor: Dr. Caitlin McArthur
Sarah Remedios
Student program of study: PhD In Health
Award name: CANTRAIN PhD Studentship Award
Award value: $17,500
Award term: 2025/26
Project summary: This study explores how rotator cuff tears affect shoulder movement and muscle activity, aiming to better understand shoulder function before and after surgery. By tracking patients’ recovery for a year following different surgical procedures, the research will help improve treatment strategies and rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with rotator cuff injuries.
Supervisors: Dr. Derek Rutherford and
Dr. Ivan Wong
Sydney MacNinch
Student program of study: MScRR/PT combined program
Award name: CANTRAIN MSc Studentship Award, Alzheimer's Society of Nova Scotia Abe Leventhal Research Award
Award value: $8,750, $2500
Award term: Sept 2025 - Sept 2026
Project summary: Dementia Moves is a physiotherapy-led group exercise intervention for long-term care residents with moderate to severe dementia. It aims to understand how group exercise can affect these residents' activities of daily living, and the safety of the intervention.
Supervisor: Dr. Caitlin McArthur
Michael Ibekaku
Student program of study: PhD in Health
Award name: (1) Maritime Trainee Support Award and (2) CANTRAIN PhD Studentship Award
Award value: $10,000, $17,500
Award term: 2025/26 for both
Project summary: The project is a feasibility study, testing a new exercise and rehabilitation program (Dementia Moves) designed to help long-term care residents with moderate to severe dementia stay active and maintain their daily abilities. The project aims to explores whether the program can be successfully delivered in long term care homes.
Supervisor: Dr. Caitlin McArthur
