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 HALIFAX,
NOVA SCOTIA | CANADA |
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2 Graduate Student Positions (MASc or PhD) Dynamics of Human Motion Laboratory
We are seeking two highly motivated graduate students to join our
multidisciplinary musculoskeletal/biomechanics research Team at
Dalhousie University. The Team includes researchers with expertise in
Biomechanics, Engineering, Orthopedics, Physiotherapy, Surgery,
Physical Medicine, Psychology, Kinesiology, Imaging, and Physiology
that are addressing musculoskeletal problems in a collaborative manner.
This vibrant research environment is based on the vast expertise of the
researchers and the trainees involved in the program.
Studies are being conducted that involve human participants with a
primary focus on knee osteoarthritis (OA). The goal is to improve
prevention, surgical (total knee replacement) and nonsurgical
management and to enhance our understanding of disease progression.
Research studies will be evaluating muscle activation, force and motion
patterns during walking.
Position 1: MASc/PhD in Biomechanical Modeling and Simulation of Gait Mechanics with Knee Osteoarthritis:
(Astephen Wilson)
Modern gait analysis is an established method of measuring the
mechanical and often neuromuscular factors associated with knee OA, but
commonly used inverse dynamics modeling with gait data results in only
net resultant forces and moments at a joint that do not account for
force contributions from muscles spanning the join. To understand the
destructive pathways of knee OA initiation and progression, more
accurate force calculations between and within the tissues of the joint
are required. The student will work to develop subject-specific models
that combine muscle activation, force and motion patterns with
anatomy/geometry measures to produce more accurate force calculations
within the various knee compartments during gait. The student should
have a minimum of an undergraduate degree in mathematics, applied
mathematics, engineering, computer science or related field and an
interest in musculoskeletal health/biomedical applications. Familiarity
with gait analysis data collection and processing protocols would be
considered an asset.
Position 2: MASc/PhD in Physical Activity Monitoring in Knee Osteoarthritis Progression
(Hubley-Kozey, Astephen Wilson):
While physical activity is recommended for people with knee OA, this is
based on pain relief and improved general health. How diseased
cartilage responds to loads is not well understood, and thus we do not
know what effect physical activity has on the rate of OA joint changes.
The student will work within the research team to capture the
longitudinal changes in joint forces, movement and neuromuscular
control with knee OA longitudinal progression and to monitor physical
activity patterns remotely to determine whether changes in gait
mechanics and physical activity can predict who will/will not develop
knee OA and who will/will not progress. The student should have a
minimum of an undergraduate degree in kinesiology, engineering, or
related field. Familiarity with gait analysis and electromyography data
collection and processing protocols would be considered an asset.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Jeremy Brown is currently seeking a post-doctoral fellow with a PhD
in either physics, electrical engineering, engineering physics, or
biomedical engineering and with research experience in electronics,
microfabrication, piezoelectrics, ultrasonic transducer fabrication
and/or photonics. A good publication record, commercialization
experience, and animal imaging experience are all assets.
High-frequency Ultrasound Fabrication The research project is focussed on the development of a high-resolution ultrasonic imaging endoscope for the human auditory system. This high-resolution endoscope will be developed and fabricated in-house in Dr. Brown's microfabrication facilty. Fabrication and equipment common to the semiconductor industry such as photolithography, micro-dicing, wire-bonding, vaccum deposition will all be used in the fabrication of this imaging probe. The post-doctoral fellow will be responsible for transducer endoscope fabrication and testing, animal imaging studies, and potentially leading patient testing/clinical trials. S/he will help to supervise and assist all of the students who will be working on the project.
MSc Position with Drs Gratzer and Hong
Work being conducted in the Tissue
Engineering Matrix Lab involves two general areas: (i)
decellularization of certain tissue(s) to create a scaffold material
and (ii) to use the naturally-derived scaffolds for the regeneration of
soft connective tissue.In the first research area, scaffolds for tissue
regeneration are derived from intact tissues of human or animal origin
through the process of decellularization(removal of cellular
components). The decellularized tissues can then be repopulated
with cells consistent with the intended recipients to create a
biocompatible, living tissue replacement. The current project,for which a Graduate Student at the Master’s level is being sought, will focus onthe generation and use of decellularized scaffolds in the development of ear cartilage replacements to treat conditions such as microtia (congenital condition where the external ear is smaller than normal and malformed) and traumatic ear injuries. The successful M.A.Sc. candidate will be involved in tissue processing, cell culture, biochemical analyses, and histological/immunohistochemical analyses. Gene function (RT-PCR) assays may also be a component of this project. Students with undergraduate degrees in areas related to chemistry, biochemistry, and biology (including cell and molecular) would be preferred. Experience with any of the techniques listed above would be an asset. Interested candidates should send a current C.V. and the names of 3 references to Drs. Paul Gratzer and Paul Hong.
Research Technician
We are seeking a highly motivated individual with knowledge and skills
in human movement biomechanics and neuromuscular control studies to
work with a multidisciplinary Team devoted to improving musculoskeletal
health disorders. The Team includes researchers with expertise in
Biomechanics, Orthopedics, Physiotherapy, Surgery, Physical Medicine,
Engineering, Psychology, Kinesiology, Imaging, and Physiology that are
addressing musculoskeletal problems in a collaborative manner. This
vibrant research environment is based on the vast expertise of the
researchers and the trainees involved in the program. Musculoskeletal Health and Clinical Biomechanics Team Studies are being conducted that involve human participants with a primary focus on knee osteoarthritis, but also low back disorders. The goal is to improve prevention, surgical and nonsurgical management for these conditions and to enhance our understanding of disease progression. Research studies will be evaluating muscle activation, force and motion patterns during a variety of tasks such as walking, lifting, and therapeutic exercises. Familiarity with such protocols is essential. The Technician will be fully responsible for maintenance and proper functioning of all equipment within the laboratory, maintaining and upgrading of the data collection database, data collection, and processing, and assisting trainees. This person must be able to communicate effectively with researchers and study participants alike. As well, the individual must be able to work in a professional manner and be familiar with requirements associated with human testing and research ethics.
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