Partners
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA)
The RIA promotes research relevant to aging in both community and long-term care settings. It focuses on practice-relevant research that can be translated to a knowledge base from which policy and best practices can be derived and applied in both population health and the health care system.
Through partnerships with the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College, the RIA attracts research projects to "living research environments" within long-term care facilities, with a view to immediate translation of research to practical training application for caregivers. The "living research environments" include eight long-term care facilities offering a continuum of care. These facilities range in size (95-192 beds), ethnicity (cultural, language, faith), and specialized care populations (e.g. dementia, behavioural management, advanced physical, young adults, etc).
RIA is a product of the philanthropic spirit and vision of Dr. Ron Schlegel, whose family has been providing long-term care to Ontario residents since the 1950's. Part owner of the seven long-term care facilities that operate under Oakwood Retirement Homes Inc., he has committed $6 million over 10 years to develop the Institute. Additional funds and in-kind supports were secured and continue to be solicited. Memoranda of Understanding were put in place with the University of Waterloo and with Conestoga College for research and training activities, respectively.
For more information on the RIA and specific research themes, please visit: http://www.the-ria.ca.Dr. Mike Sharratt, A-HA Chair, is the Executive Director at the RIA. As the former Dean of Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo and with a vested interested in human health and well-being, Mike helped to establish the RIA. For more information on Mike's research interests, please click here.
Josie d'Avernas, A-HA Associate Chair, is the Associate Director at the RIA. Josie has a wealth of experience in health promotion, disease prevention and policy development, and so plays a key role in the RIA's development and implementation of training programs, policies and research proposals. For more information on Josie's research interests, please click here.
Jessica Demeter, A-HA Program Manager comes from the University of Guelph's MaRS Landing project. With experience in the agriculture and agri-food sectors, Jess' role is to facilitate A-HA research and promote knowledge transfer and translation from A-HA research results.
University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo (UW), located at the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow.
The Faculty of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) has a commitment to the prevention of illness and injury and the optimization of health and physical abilities to able-bodied and disabled people throughout the lifespan, at work and leisure by means of innovative educational and research programs.
Within AHS is the Department of Kinesiology, which has a mission to "optimize health, to prevent injury and illness, and to extend the years of high quality life through understanding cellular to societal implications of physical activity, nutrition and lifestyle."
Dr. Ken Stark, A-HA Research Scientist, is housed in the Department of Kinesiology, and is involved with the A-HA initiative through his research involving omega-3 fatty acids and the Laboratory for Nutritional and Nutraceutical Research. For details on Dr. Stark's research, please click here.
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph is committed to innovative programs, dynamic student-faculty interaction, and an integration of learning and research. The University is also dedicated to cultivating the essentials for our quality of life - water, food, environment, health, community, commerce, culture and learning.
The College of Biological Sciences (CBS) is home to the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (HHNS). The department offers expertise in Human Kinetics, Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences, while cooperating with the Department of Biomedical Sciences and with the Department of Food Science on various projects.
Dr. Alison Duncan, A-HA Research Scientist and Associate Professor in HHNS, represents is involved with A-HA through her research in the areas of agriculture, food, nutrition and human health. For more information on Dr. Duncan's research, please click here.
The founding college of the University of Guelph is the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). The OAC provides innovative life sciences education and research for agriculture, food, the environment and rural communities in Canada and around the world. Within the OAC lies the Department of Food Science (FS). The Department works closely with industry and government representatives to ensure graduates are prepared to meet the challenges of working in one of North America's largest food clusters.
Dr. Lisa Duizer, A-HA Research Scientist, and Assistant Professor in FS, is involved with A-HA through her work in sensory evaluation of foods. For more information on Dr. Duizer's research, please click here.
The College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS) traces its origins and traditions to the establishment of the Macdonald Institute, one of the University's three founding colleges. The goal of the college is to serve society through the provision of world-class education supported by innovative programs of research and outreach.
The Department of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition (FRAN) is housed in CSAHS, and is unique within the University of Guelph as an interdisciplinary academic unit focused on enhancement of the quality of all forms of human development in the diverse communities served by the institution. The emphasis on both theoretical and basic/applied research continues to have impacts on professional practice, social and health policy, and the design of interventions and preventive strategies.
Dr. Heather Keller, A-HA Research Scientist and Professor in FRAN, is involved with A-HA through her extensive work in the field of applied nutrition as it relates to older adults in both community and long-term care settings. For more information on Dr. Keller's research, please click here to view her website, or here to view the University of Guelph profile.