Principal Investigator

Dr. Alison Novak is a Scientist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-Univeristy Health Network, and 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, a 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 the 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.