Ryerson University | Health & Biosciences

Key facilities

Ryerson University Analytical Centre – The RUAC was built in partnership with PerkinElmer. It houses the latest PerkinElmer instrumentation: HPLC with uv, refractive index, conductance, and fluorescence detection; GC-MS with autosampler; GC with headspace and purge-and-trap autosamplers; molecular luminescence, uv-vis, and FTIR spectroscopies.

Institute for Stress and Wellbeing Research – Has equipment that is capable of measuring and analyzing electrical and hemodynamic brain activity (EEG and fNIR, respectively), hormonal assays, psychophysiology (e.g., electromyogram, respiratory rate and effort, electrocardiogram, pulse, electrodermal activity and blood pressure) as well as face/emotion capture and eye tracking. In addition, the facility is equipped with sophisticated audio and visual recording equipment as well as two head mounted virtual reality systems integrated with a software suite for stress, addiction and phobia related scenarios.

Major collaborations

Development of treatment planning platform for ultrasound stimulated microbubble therapy

Led by Dr. Michael Kolios, Physics the overall objective of this research is to develop MR guided (MRg) Ultrasound Microbubble (USMB) treatments to demonstrate the effectiveness of our discovery of microbubble-radio enhancement in larger animal tumour models.

Synthesis of Bioactive augments for use in Revision Knee joint replacement

Led by Dr. Mark Towler, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. The long-term objective is to develop novel materials with characteristics that can improve outcomes and minimize revision in arthroplasty surgery.

Developing a comprehensive understanding of elder abuse prevention in immigrant communities

Led by Dr. Sepali Guruge,Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Research Chair in Urban Health

Older adults are the fastest-growing age group in Canada. The purpose of this multidisciplinary study is: first, to develop a comprehensive classification of risk factors for elder abuse in immigrant communities, and second, to identify the most appropriate and culturally relevant strategies to address the risk factors in immigrant communities in Canada.

Researchers

Dr. Robert Botelho, Canada Research Chair (Tier II, Software and Semantic Computing), Department Biomedical Science and Technologies: A leading researcher on organelles, the ‘organ’ of the cell. The Botelho Lab for Organelle Identity and Function explores how cells establish, maintain and change organelles, and how this process can affect the human body’s ability to combat disease. His research aims to better understand organelle identity processes and consequently create knowledge for improved therapies.

Dr. Souraya Sidani, Canada Research Chair (Tier I, Design and Evaluation of Health Interventions), Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing: Dr. Sidani develops healthcare strategies to ensure that patients’ perception of what is acceptable in healthcare is incorporated into their overall treatment plan. She is one of Canada’s leaders in health and well-being research, specializing in the development of best practices for healthcare providers who are able to adapt her strategies and methods to provide treatment options that are consistent with patients’ preferences.

Dr. Julia Spaniol, Canada Research Chair (Tier II in Cognitive Aging), Department of Psychology: Research explores the impact of aging on both contextual decisions, such as the timing of an event, and on decision-making generally. Spaniol investigates how motivation and reward can affect cognition throughout a lifespan and how maximizing the cognitive strengths of older adults could help to counterbalance cognitive deficits.

Dr. Victor Yang, Canada Research Chair (Tier II in Bioengineering and Biophotonics), Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
A leader in translational medicine – specifically for his work in moving optical technologies to active use in the operating room to improve surgical practice.

Special programs and work integrated learning initiatives

Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science & Technology (iBEST) – Partnership between St. Michael’s Hospital and Ryerson, combining their strengths in biomedical research and education. The iBEST membership consists of more than 50 researchers and 100 trainees. The innovative approach to biomedical development and delivery offers unique opportunities for industry collaboration.

Biomedical Zone – Innovation centre for clinicians, students and entrepreneurs, helps early stage health technology companies to validate their need based solutions directly in the hospital setting with clinicians, business experts and innovative thinkers.

Centre for Global Health and Health Equity – Promotes health equity through an interdisciplinary team of researchers whose work is informed by common principles of equity, social justice, and health as a human right.