Meet the SCIRE Team

Dr. Eng is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia and Scientist at the GF Strong Rehab Centre and the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada. She holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Neurological Rehabilitation, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and is a recipient of the Jonas Salk Award for life-long contributions to reducing disability. Dr. Eng is the co-leader of the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Evidence (SCIRE) Project which has served as a platform for initiating several novel international knowledge translation projects in spinal cord injury (SCI). Her research interests include the development of novel rehabilitation exercise interventions in people with neurological conditions.

Dr. Teasell is Professor/Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Western University and Parkwood Institute (St. Joseph’s Health Care) in London, Ontario, and is co-leader of the SCIRE Project. His research interests are in evidence-based applications to clinical rehabilitation practice with a specific interest in neurorehabilitation and chronic pain, particularly the role of personality in coping with pain.

Dr. Allison is a Scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute and an Adjunct professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Western University. His lab focuses primarily on the use of anti-inflammatory intervention strategies for the treatment of depression in spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. Dr. Allison’s lab aims to better understand the psychophysiological mechanisms which contribute to mental health disorders in order to enhance current treatment strategies.

Dr. Bateman is a consultant physiatrist in the Spinal Cord Injury and Brain Injury rehabilitation programs and in the Electrodiagnostic Laboratory and Peripheral Nerve Clinic at Parkwood Institute. She is an Assistant Professor at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University. Her research interests include quality improvement, patient safety, and knowledge translation.

Jane has over 20 years in various senior executive positions in non-governmental and biotechnology organizations overseeing clinical research in academic, non-profit and industry settings. Although her experience covers several neurological indications, SCI has consistently been her primary area of interest. As the current Executive Director of the Wings for Life Accelerated Translational Program, Jane’s current focus in that role is to facilitate translation of cutting edge interventions aimed at finding a cure for SCI. This international presence allows Jane to link groups from around the world to the clinically integrated SCI Research program within Parkwood Institute where she is a Lawson Health Research Institute Associate Scientist.

Dr. Loh is a consultant physiatrist in the Spinal Cord Injury and Brain Injury Programs at Parkwood Hospital and at St. Joseph’s Pain Management Program, and is also an Associate Professor at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western. His research interests include chronic pain, interventional procedures, pain after SCI, and gross anatomy research and modeling.

Swati Mehta is a Scientist at Parkwood Institute Research and Lawson Research Institute, an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Western University and a registered Psychotherapist. Professor Mehta leads the RehabPsych Lab which aims to improve activity engagement and overall well-being among those undergoing rehabilitation through online programs including virtual group based physical activity and internet delivered cognitive behaviour therapy hosted on the lab’s website.

Dr. Miller is a Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of British Columbia and ICORD Research Centre. He is the recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Career Award. Research interests include the measurement and epidemiology of mobility disability. He was instrumental in developing a pan-Canadian Outcome Measures Toolkit for SCI clinicians and also leads a transdisciplinary Canadian research team to enable better wheelchair use.

Dr. Mortenson is an associate professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of British Columbia and is a principal investigator at the GF Strong Rehabilitation Research Program and ICORD. His research focuses on four overlapping areas: assistive technology, social participation, caregiving, and outcome measurement. He is the recipient of a CIHR New Investigator career scientist award.

Dr. Noonan is the Director of Research at the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, located in Vancouver, BC. Her research interests include data standards, outcome measurement, knowledge translation and health system improvement.

Matthew is the SCIRE Professional Research Coordinator at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, Canada. He manages systematic reviews for the Vancouver team, in addition to handling social media and communications for SCIRE Professional. Matthew’s research interests are in knowledge translation, partnership models, and best practices in health care and health systems improvement.

Sarah is the Research Coordinator for SCIRE Professional at Lawson Health Research Institute in London, ON. She has a background in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Shannon is a physiotherapist in the SCI Outpatient and Wound Program at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, BC. Her research interests include clinical relevance and better standards of practice in SCI.

Shannon is a physiotherapist in the SCI Outpatient Program at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. She is a member of the SCI Wound Team which deals with complex wounds as well as seating and positioning and the Tetraplegic Upper Extremity Team which looks at ways to improve upper limb function with innovative surgeries such as tendon transfers and nerve transfers. Her research interests focus on clinical practice and communication of best practice approaches.

Dr. Townson is a Clinical Professor in the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Associate Head, Education, in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. She is an attending physician on the SCI rehabilitation program at GF Strong Rehab Centre. Her research interests include SCI, high tetraplegia, ventilator dependency, and health professions education.

Professor Unger’s research focuses on promoting lifelong mobility for people with various neurological impairments, including spinal cord and brain injuries. Her main interests are optimizing gait and balance to provide the foundation for safe mobility, integrating lived experiences into research and program development, and enhancing access to rehabilitation services that support lifelong activity.

Dr. Wolfe is an Associate Scientist in the Program of Aging, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care in the Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario. Dr. Wolfe has a background in clinical neurophysiology and research methods. His current research interests are in the areas of health promotion and functional electrical stimulation-assisted exercise for people with SCI.

Dominik is the Coordinator for SCIRE Community at the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia and Rehabilitation Research Program at GF Strong Rehabilitation in Vancouver, Canada.