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Wednesday, May 8, 2024
12:00pm – 2:00pm ET
Virtual

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Special Virtual Event hosted by the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus and Research Canada

Join the Honourable, Dr. Helena Jaczek, MP Markham-Stoufville and PHRC Chair and the Caucus Leadership , Dr. Stephen Ellis, MP (Cumberland-Colchester), Ms. Carol Hughes, MP (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing) and Hon. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia, Senator (Newfoundland and Labrador) who will host a virtual presentation and Q & A period with esteemed Researchers in the field of eHealth. Technology and eHealth innovations in Canada are playing a transformative role in shaping the healthcare landscape. The integration of advanced technologies and digital solutions is revolutionizing how healthcare services are delivered, accessed, and experienced. Discover the dynamic shifts underway in Canadian healthcare and join us for an insightful afternoon where leading researchers, industry experts, health innovation stakeholders and policy makers come together to explore the latest advancements.

Dr. Siamak Arzanpour, PhD, PEng, MBA Professor of the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering Simon Fraser University                           Kids Brain Health Network	Dr. Siamak Arzanpour is an expert in dynamic systems modelling and AI. He has applied his expertise to various practical projects and led collaborative research with industrial partners. He is one of the co-founders of Human in Motion Robotics Inc., which develops a next-generation wearable robot aiding motion-disabled individuals to walk naturally. His team has recently developed an AI solution to enhance community engagement for autistic children with sound sensitivities.
Dr. Philip Awadalla, PhD, MSc. Director, Computational Biology Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, University of Toronto	Dr. Philip Awadalla, PhD, is the National Scientific Director of Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health, is the Director of Computational Biology and the Executive Scientific Director of Ontario Health Study at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and is a Professor of in the Molecular Genetics Department and Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Dr. Awadalla’s main research interests include identifying genomic and environmental determinants of blood disorders and cancers, and genomic epidemiology of age-related disorders in population cohorts.
Dr. Elina Birmingham, PhD Associate Professor Simon Fraser University                           Kids Brain Health Network	Dr. Elina Birmingham completed her PhD in psychology at the University of British Columbia in 2008, and now directs the Autism in Education Lab (AEL) at SFU (www.aelsfu.ca). The AEL conducts three main programs of research: creating smart technology using artificial intelligence to support autistic individuals with decreased sound tolerance; improving the university experience for autistic adults through the Autism Mentorship Initiative; and exploring how autistic individuals visually attend to and interpret information in their environments.
Dr. Simon Drouin, Eng., PhD Associate Professor École de technologie spérieure	Dr. Simon Drouin has been an associate professor in the department of software engineering and information technologies at the École de Technologie Supérieure (Montreal) since 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal, a master’s degree in computer science and a doctorate in biomedical engineering from McGill University. His research focuses on the use of mixed reality technologies to facilitate the simulation, planning and guidance of medical interventions.
Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell, PhD, C.Phys. FRSA Professor, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine – Rehabilitation Medicine University of Alberta	Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell is a biomedical engineer and credentialed clinical scientist. He has dedicated his academic career to the study of secondary complications of physical disability and studying underlying causes to reduce their incidence. He designed and developed a new Rehabilitation Robotics Laboratory in the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy and uses virtual reality systems to simulate the biomechanical and physiological conditions faced by long-term wheelchair users and elite wheelchair athletes. This work includes the development of a novel approach to analyzing EMG from upper extremities and shoulders using wavelet + principal component analysis integrated into an FPGA system.
Dr. Alan Forster, MD, FRCPC, M.Sc. Director, Innovation, Transformation, and Clinical Performance, MUHC Director, Innovation, RI-MUHC Professor, Health Innovation, McGill University	Dr, Alan Forster’s research focuses on the quality of healthcare, particularly the role of digital technologies. He led the development of a big data platform in a large Canadian teaching hospital, which has been used to support research, innovation, and operations. Dr. Forster and his team have developed and implemented many solutions demonstrated to improve access to care and patient experience while reducing complications and costs. He is now leading healthcare transformation and innovation at the McGill University Health Center.
Dr. Liam Kelly, PhD Scientist, Leader in Value-Based Health Care Eastern Health	Dr. Liam Kelly assumed the role of Regional Director of Research and Innovation, NL Health Services, in June, 2022, and is the current Director of the Health Innovation Acceleration Centre. Prior to that, he owned a private health care company, and worked in research both at the Janeway Children’s Hospital and various departments of Memorial University. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD – Clinical Epidemiology), a Master of Science (Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology), and a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Memorial. His research interests are investigating the effects of behavioral and environmental interventions on metabolic markers of chronic disease in clinical populations.
Dr. Alain Moreau, PhD Full Professor, Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Montreal	Since October 2000, Dr. Alain Moreau is Head of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Diseases where he leads a research team involved in the molecular genetics of musculoskeletal diseases affecting pediatric (scoliosis) and adult population (osteoarthritis). Projects undertaken in his lab focus mainly on musculo-skeletal diseases affecting children (congenital malformations, cartilage and bone tumors), adolescents (idiopathic scoliosis) and adults (osteoarthritis and articular cartilage degeneration). In addition, his team investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues.
Dr. Aislin Mushquash, PhD, C.Psych. Associate Professor Lakehead University	Dr. Aislin Mushquash is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Lakehead University and a Clinical Psychologist at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care. Dr. Mushquash is working to improve access to mental health support for youth in underserved areas. She is leading research with the JoyPopTM mental health app to better understand how this tool helps Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth who are experiencing long waits for mental health services.
Dr. Plinio Pelegrini Morita, PhD Associate Professor, Faculty of Health – School of Public Health Sciences University of Waterloo	Dr. Plinio Morita is an Associate Professor at the School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and the Director of the Network for Aging Research at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Morita is a leading researcher in the use of AI and IoT for public health, global health, and technology for supporting independent living. At the UbiLab, his research team focuses on the use of IoT technologies, big data, and AI to improve current public health surveillance mechanisms and support countries in the monitoring of health indicators and environmental factors.
Dr. Kiemute Oyibo, PhD Assistant Professor, Computer Science York University	Dr. Kiemute Oyibo is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at York University. His research focuses on utilizing persuasive technology in driving behavior and social change with a focus on digital health. He has published over 90 scientific papers in Persuasive Technology, User Experience, and Digital Health, which have received over 1500 citations on Google Scholar. He is a member of the International Conference on Persuasive Technology Steering Committee and co-edited the 2024 PERSUASIVE conference proceedings.
Dr. Tamara Vanderwal, BSc, MD, MAR Clinician Scientist, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, BC Children’s Hospital Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UBC	Dr. Tamara Vanderwal’s research uses MRI to study functional brain organization in depression and other mental health disorders in youth. Her lab creates and tests movies that children and youth watch during their brain scans. This “movie-fMRI” enables her team to study the brain while it is active and processing complex information, like it is in daily life. The goal is to learn new information about the brain in child psychiatric disorders.