A-HA People
Research Scientists
- Dr. Lisa Duizer, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph
- Dr. Alison Duncan, Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph
- Dr. Heather Keller, Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph
- Dr. Ken Stark, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo
Support Staff
- Dr. Mike Sharratt, A-HA Chair & Executive Director, RIA
- Josie d'Avernas, A-HA Associate Chair & Associate Director, RIA
- Jessica Bowes, A-HA Program Manager, RIA (on maternity leave until September 2012)
- Hilary Dunn, A-HA Acting Program Manager, RIA
Dr. Lisa Duizer
Dr. Lisa Duizer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science
University of Guelph
Phone: 519.824.4120 ext. 53410
Email: lduizer@uoguelph.ca
Dr. Lisa Duizer's research interests focus primarily on the sensory evaluation of food, specifically involving perception of textures and tastes. Dr. Duizer is interested in determining factors affecting perception of sweet tastes, and temporal perception of salt taste in reduced salt food products. New to the A-HA research team, her main focus will be to explore sensory perception and aging.
Please visit Dr. Duizer's profile page on the University of Guelph website to learn more.
Dr. Alison Duncan
Dr. Alison Duncan, Ph.D., R.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Human Health & Nutritional Sciences
Associate Director, Research - Human Nutraceutical Research Unit
University of Guelph
Phone: 519.824.4120 ext. 53416
Email: amduncan@uoguelph.ca
Dr. Alison Duncan's longstanding interest in nutrition stems from a clinical perspective and has evolved to include a focus on the nutritional sciences. She started her studies in dietetics and continued on with graduate school in nutritional sciences, where she learned the value of research to the creation and advancement of nutrition-based knowledge. Her general research interests relate to the biological effects of functional foods and nutraceuticals on chronic disease-related endpoints through human intervention studies. Her research has focused on the role of soy and its constituent protein and isoflavones in the reduction of disease risk, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer and kidney disease.
Please visit Dr. Duncan's profile page on the University of Guelph website to learn more.
Dr. Heather Keller
Dr. Heather Keller, Ph.D., R.D., F.D.C.
Professor, Department of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition
University of Guelph
Phone: 519.824.4120 ext. 52544
Email: hkeller@uoguelph.ca
Dr. Heather Keller's research is primarily focused in the area of older adults. She has three research programs that span community and long-term care sectors. A-HA is focused on the determinants of food intake, especially psychosocial factors, understanding eating behaviour, and demonstrating the importance of nutrition to health and quality of life of older adults. Several projects are underway investigating diet resilience in older adults, factors related to poor appetite, and food enhancement in long-term care.
Please visit Dr. Keller's website to learn more.
Dr. Ken D. Stark
Dr. Ken D. Stark, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology
Director, Laboratory of Nutritional and Nutraceutical Research
University of Waterloo
Phone: 519.888.4567 ext. 37738
Email: kstark@uwaterloo.ca
The use of food for healthy aging has the potential to optimize health in an aging population. Dr. Ken Stark's research interests are focused on enhancing nutrients in the diets of older adults to reduce the burden of chronic disease, while remaining sensitive to the mealtime environment. Specifically, his research is examining strategies to increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in aging populations, which may prevent several age-related morbidities, including cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, and macular degeneration.
Please visit Dr. Stark's profile page on the University of Waterloo website to learn more.
Dr. Mike Sharratt
Dr. Mike Sharratt, Ph.D.
Chair, A-HA
Executive Director
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging
Phone: 519.571.1873 ext. 124
Email: sharratt@uwaterloo.ca
As former Dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo, Dr. Sharratt helped to establish the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging. In addition, he is a long-term member of the Research Update for the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA) and currently on their Board as Vice-Chair. Research interests relate to the plasticity of aging with emphasis on those recoverable components which are influenced by sedentary/active living rather than aging, per se.
Please visit Dr. Sharratt's profile page on the RIA website to learn more.
Josie d'Avernas
Josie d'Avernas, M.Sc.
Associate Chair, A-HA
Associate Director
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging
Phone: 519.571.1873 ext. 127
Email: davernas@uwaterloo.ca
Josie began her role as Associate Director of the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging in 2006. She has a Master of Science degree from the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology at the University of Waterloo. She divides her time between the RIA and her role as Vice President Program Development and Innovation for Schlegel Villages.
Please visit Josie's profile page on the RIA website to learn more.
Jessica Bowes
Jessica Bowes (Demeter), M.Sc.
Program Manager, A-HA (on maternity leave until September 2012)
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging
Phone: 519.571.1873 ext. 126
Email: jcbowes@uwaterloo.ca
Jessica's main role as part of A-HA involves knowledge translation and transfer (KTT). She works with agri-food and health sector stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange demonstrating linkages between agriculture, food, nutrition and health as they relate to aging. Jessica is also involved in the development and delivery of dissemination activities to share A-HA research results, and facilitation of strategic partnerships with stakeholders.
Please visit Jessica's profile page on the RIA website to learn more.
Hilary Dunn
Hilary Dunn, M.Sc.
Acting Program Manager, A-HA
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging
Email: hadunn@uwaterloo.ca
Hilary is primarily involved in disseminating research results to stakeholder groups and facilitating knowledge exchange through various knowledge translation and transfer (KTT) initiatives. She has a Master of Science degree from the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph.