Postdoctoral Fellow Profile: Sina Mehdizadeh

I am a CIHR postdoctoral fellow at professor Max Donelan’s Locomotion Lab in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, I was a postdoctoral fellow at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-UHN. My research is on the neuromechanics of human locomotion. I try to understand principles underlying the control and adaptation of human walking and to use these principles to design rehabilitation protocols for affected groups such as older adults at risk of falls and post-stroke individuals. My research results have been published in premier academic journals in the field of biomechanics, motor control, and gerontology. I am also a member of editorial board of Gait & Posture.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I chose to do my second postdoc at SFU because of the exciting projects and learning opportunities available at Dr. Max Donelan's Locomotion Lab.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

I try to understand how our brain controls our walking in different conditions, how this control is affected by disorders such as stroke, and to use this understanding to design more efficient rehabilitation programs.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

There are several things I enjoy at SFU: my research at the Locomotion lab which is both theoretical and applied, the beautiful SFU campus, the workshops and seminars, interacting with the students and other postdocs to name a few.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.

I have won the 2022 CIHR postdoctoral fellowship. This fellowship allows me to focus more deeply on my research and also enhance my academic skills.

Contact Sina: smehdiza@sfu.ca