Chris Napier, PT, PhD

Assistant Professor 

Director, SFU Run Lab

Chris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University and Director of the SFU Run Lab. As Research Lead at the Human Performance Lab at Simon Fraser University’s WearTech Labs—a state-of-the-art motion capture and wearable technology lab based in Surrey, BC—his research focuses on biomechanics and training load factors in running-related injury, using lab- and field-based measures. As a clinician, Chris has worked as a sport physiotherapist at all levels of sport from weekend warrior to professional level. He also actively practices at Restore Physiotherapy in downtown Vancouver where he specializes in the treatment of running injuries. Chris obtained his Master of Physiotherapy degree in 2003, his Diploma of Sport Physiotherapy in 2007, and went on to complete his PhD in Running Biomechanics and Injury Prevention at UBC in 2018. He is a physiotherapist for Athletics Canada and has been a member of the medical team for World Championships, Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, Winter Olympics, and Summer Olympics. He is the author of the bestselling book “Science of Running” and currently serves on the Executive Board of the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy.

Phone: (778) 782-4589
Email: cnapier at sfu.ca
Room: K9638

Meihui Li

PhD Student

I obtained my Bachelor of Sports Training in 2017 and my Master of Theory of Sports Pedagogy and Training in 2020 at Beijing Sport University. Before that, I had trained as a professional swimmer for 7 years and Modern pentathlon for 5 years. I am interested in lower body movement optimization and ACL injury prevention via wearable technology. My research aims to: 1) investigate the relationship between the menstrual cycle and athletic performance; 2) investigate how movement optimization may help reduce non-contact knee injury incidence in female athletes.

Sean Gaiesky

PhD Student

Originally from northern BC, I completed my BSc at the University of Lethbridge before completing my MSc at Brunel University London. Prior to joining the SFU Run Lab, I was involved with the development of biomechanical equipment alongside providing sport science support to elite track athletes. My research focuses on how wearable technologies could monitor a runner’s health or performance using movement variability, leading to either improved performance or reduced injury risk. As an avid runner myself I hope to help the everyday runner harness the power of wearable technologies to help them attain their goals.

Tom Michie

PhD Student

Tom Michie is a Physiotherapy clinician-scientist who specializes in the prevention and treatment of running injuries. He is currently completing a PhD with Dr. Chris Napier at SFU. Tom believes that clinical practice can be enhanced by improving research methodology through collaboration and consensus. The aims of his research are to: (1) synthesise and identify deficiencies present in methodology; (2) conduct a Delphi study to create consensus; and (3) provide commentary and recommendations to help researchers conduct more methodologically consistent running injury studies. Tom hopes the subsequent research can help clinicians make more evidence-informed decisions when working with runners.

Minju Kim

PhD Student

Minju is a sports physiotherapist and sports biomechanist. She is currently completing her PhD in the SFU Run Lab. She studies running biomechanics, injury prevention, and footwear design. Her research aims to set guidelines to help runners with chronic ankle instability history by utilizing smart wearable technology, and by choosing reasonable footwear to prevent re-injury.

Minju completed her masters in Sports Biomechanics at Loughborough University, where she collaborated with elite sprinters, rugby players, and footballers in analyzing performance and developing customised programmes for injury prevention. Her master's thesis focused on muscle kinematics during sprint acceleration.