Principal Investigator

Alison C. Novak, PhD

EnABL Director and Principal Investigator alison.novak.@uhn.ca

Dr. Alison Novak is a Scientist at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-UHN an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Therapy and Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto. Dr. Novak received a BSc in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, MSc in Neuroscience from Queen’s University, and PhD in Rehabilitation Science from Queen’s University. Dr. Novak’s primary research focuses on understanding mobility in challenging environments (such as stairs, ramps, bathrooms) to reduce fall risk across the lifespan, with an emphasis on biomechanical evaluation of movement. Current research investigates impact of environmental design on biomechanical risk factors of falls and balance recovery reactions in persons with and without mobility impairments. Dr. Novak is an advisory committee member for the Ontario Injury Prevention Resource Centre, a member of the CSA Standards Committee on Accessibility of the Built Environment, and actively contributes to National Building Code of Canada technical task groups and Accessibility Standards Canada.

Staff

Iris joined the Home and Community Team as a post-doctoral fellow in 2017. Dr. Levine’s primary research goal is to evaluate fall hazard—what differs between those who fall and those who fracture? Irisreceived her BS in Exercise Science from SUNY University at Buffalo, and her MSc and PhD in Kinesiology (Biomechanics) from University of Waterloo. Her doctoral research linked falling configuration and individual faller characteristics with mechanical risk of injury. Iris currently developing new ways to assess hazard associated with slips in indoor, outdoor and occupational environments, in real-time. Her goal is to inform building code and accessibility standards, improve assistive device recommendations and support design of more effective interventions to allow people to fall more safely.

Iris Levine, PhD

Scientific Associate | iris.levine@uhn.ca

Roger joined the Home and Community Team in November of 2013. He completed his M.Sc. in Kinesiology at Brock University where his research centered on the effect of cold temperature on the lower extremities in relation to dynamic balance and muscular strength. He also has experience conducting applied, industry driven, research investigating the impact of varied garment insulations with respect to their thermal performance in cold environments. Roger works in a support role as part of EnABL to assist with building experimental environments for the different research studies, operating the motion simulator, and assisting with all aspects of motion capture among other responsibilities.

Roger Montgomery, MSc

Research Associate | roger.montgomery@uhn.ca

David Houston is a Research Associate in the EnABL lab helping to lead the "Anthropometrics Project". He completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo and then went on to complete his Master’s in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Dr. Kristin Musselman. David had the opportunity to complete a co-op placement with Dr. Novak during his undergrad which opened the door to pursing a career in research. He is excited to be a part of the EnABL Team once again after his previous roles as a Clinical Research Coordinator within the KITE Research Institute.

David Houston, MSc

Research Associate | david.houston@uhn.ca

Current Students

Elizabeth Chee-Hing is a Rehabilitation Science Masters student at the University of Toronto. After completing an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Wilfrid Laurier University, she joined the enAble lab. Elizabeth’s research interests is primarily in fall prevention - specifically within the elderly population. Over the next two years, she will be working under the supervision of Alison Novak to determine the utilized friction in older adults with or without bathing difficulties during various bathing tasks. Their goal is to help identify the minimum friction levels used by individuals with or without bathing difficulties and how certain surface friction interventions will improve slip risk.

Elizabeth Chee-Hing, BSc

Masters Student | elizabeth.cheehing@mail.utoronto.ca