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New national chairs help the elderly
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Byron Gates, 604.291.3590, bgates@sfu.ca
Bojan Mohar, 011.386.476.6670, bojan.mohar@fmf.uni-lj-si
Bozena Kaminska, 604.268.6855, kaminska@sfu.ca
Stephen Robinovitch, 604.291.3566, stever@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
Byron Gates, 604.291.3590, bgates@sfu.ca
Bojan Mohar, 011.386.476.6670, bojan.mohar@fmf.uni-lj-si
Bozena Kaminska, 604.268.6855, kaminska@sfu.ca
Stephen Robinovitch, 604.291.3566, stever@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
April 26, 2005
Miniature sensors and hip protection aid the elderly:
One of four new Canada Research Chairs at Simon Fraser University uses the tools of engineering mechanics to explore the cause and prevention of falls and hip fractures in the elderly. Another furthers the creation of networks of miniature wireless sensors for many healthcare applications. A third chair advances the development of tools, technologies and devices that could revolutionize healthcare, electronics and energy production at the molecular level. The fourth chair furthers research into graph theory to crystalize interconnections between mathematical statements.
National chair program attracts international experts to SFU:
Stephen Robinovitch, an associate professor in kinesiology and the school of engineering science, fills an entry level Canada Research Chair in injury prevention and mobility biomechanics. Robinovitch uses computer-controlled balance platforms and wearable sensors to study why elderly people lose their balance. He also uses artificial pelvises wired with force sensors to design hip protectors and impact-absorbing flooring. Hip fractures are a major health problem for the elderly; most are caused by falls. The centre for hip health at the Vancouver General Hospital is one of Robinovitch's collaborators.
Bozena Kaminska, a professor in SFU's school of engineering science, has been appointed a senior level Canada Research Chair in wireless sensor networks. Kaminska's networks of miniature wireless sensors could potentially measure health indicators, monitor medical conditions and clinical trials, and relay this information via radio to computers and health providers for analysis. The CEO of a Montreal software developer and the senior vice-president of advanced technology at Credence and Third Millennium Test Solutions in San Jose, California, Kaminska did her graduate studies at Warsaw University of Technology.
Byron Gates, a materials chemist in SFU's chemistry department, has been appointed an entry level Canada Research Chair in materials science and technology. A graduate of the University of Washington, Gates is manipulating the surface chemistry of materials to selectively control the growth and properties of nanoparticles. This research will lead to the discovery of techniques that could ultimately create revolutionary devices such as a biosensor to economically and quickly detect deadly pathogens.
Bojan Mohar, a mathematics professor at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, is a newly appointed Canada Research Chair in natural sciences and engineering in SFU's mathematics department. Mohar is studying interconnections between several mathematical statements, including graphs, geometry, graph minors, and the development of new algorithmic and computational tools in those areas. Mohar's research provides world-class expertise to several research groups using graphs as mathematical models, not only in mathematics, but also in optimization, computer science, mathematical chemistry and bioinformatics.
Thirty-one of 43 Canada Research Chairs allocated to SFU have been filled. The total value of the filled chairs to date is $29 million. Twenty-seven of the chair appointees have also been awarded collectively $3.8 million in Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funding. Gates ($200,000) and Robinovitch ($125,000) are the latest chair appointees to receive CFI funding.
Websites:
www.chairs.gc.ca/web/chairholders/
One of four new Canada Research Chairs at Simon Fraser University uses the tools of engineering mechanics to explore the cause and prevention of falls and hip fractures in the elderly. Another furthers the creation of networks of miniature wireless sensors for many healthcare applications. A third chair advances the development of tools, technologies and devices that could revolutionize healthcare, electronics and energy production at the molecular level. The fourth chair furthers research into graph theory to crystalize interconnections between mathematical statements.
National chair program attracts international experts to SFU:
Stephen Robinovitch, an associate professor in kinesiology and the school of engineering science, fills an entry level Canada Research Chair in injury prevention and mobility biomechanics. Robinovitch uses computer-controlled balance platforms and wearable sensors to study why elderly people lose their balance. He also uses artificial pelvises wired with force sensors to design hip protectors and impact-absorbing flooring. Hip fractures are a major health problem for the elderly; most are caused by falls. The centre for hip health at the Vancouver General Hospital is one of Robinovitch's collaborators.
Bozena Kaminska, a professor in SFU's school of engineering science, has been appointed a senior level Canada Research Chair in wireless sensor networks. Kaminska's networks of miniature wireless sensors could potentially measure health indicators, monitor medical conditions and clinical trials, and relay this information via radio to computers and health providers for analysis. The CEO of a Montreal software developer and the senior vice-president of advanced technology at Credence and Third Millennium Test Solutions in San Jose, California, Kaminska did her graduate studies at Warsaw University of Technology.
Byron Gates, a materials chemist in SFU's chemistry department, has been appointed an entry level Canada Research Chair in materials science and technology. A graduate of the University of Washington, Gates is manipulating the surface chemistry of materials to selectively control the growth and properties of nanoparticles. This research will lead to the discovery of techniques that could ultimately create revolutionary devices such as a biosensor to economically and quickly detect deadly pathogens.
Bojan Mohar, a mathematics professor at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, is a newly appointed Canada Research Chair in natural sciences and engineering in SFU's mathematics department. Mohar is studying interconnections between several mathematical statements, including graphs, geometry, graph minors, and the development of new algorithmic and computational tools in those areas. Mohar's research provides world-class expertise to several research groups using graphs as mathematical models, not only in mathematics, but also in optimization, computer science, mathematical chemistry and bioinformatics.
Thirty-one of 43 Canada Research Chairs allocated to SFU have been filled. The total value of the filled chairs to date is $29 million. Twenty-seven of the chair appointees have also been awarded collectively $3.8 million in Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funding. Gates ($200,000) and Robinovitch ($125,000) are the latest chair appointees to receive CFI funding.
Websites:
www.chairs.gc.ca/web/chairholders/