Prime Highlights:
She also received a $75,000 grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).
Dr. Giangregorio is renowned for her research on reducing osteoporotic fracture risk through exercise interventions.
Key Background:
Dr. Lora Giangregorio, Professor of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo, has been named a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Bone Health and Exercise Science. This prestigious appointment comes with a funding commitment of $1.4 million, alongside a $75,000 grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).
A leading expert in the field, Dr. Giangregorio’s research focuses on mitigating the impact of osteoporotic fractures. She heads the University of Waterloo’s Bone Health and Exercise Science Lab (BonES), where her work is centered on exercise interventions to reduce fracture risk. Her groundbreaking research aims to improve physical functioning and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults.
In her statement, Dr. Giangregorio expressed her pride in receiving the Canada Research Chair designation, emphasizing its significance for advancing research in both bone health and exercise science in Canada. She looks forward to collaborating with researchers across the country and partnering with knowledge-user organizations to further her work.
The funding from the CRC will support Dr. Giangregorio’s ongoing efforts to develop and assess interventions to lower fracture risk and enhance physical mobility in older adults. Her team also seeks to implement strategies for knowledge mobilization, ensuring the practical application of research findings. Key components of her research include conducting randomized controlled trials at multiple Canadian sites and creating training programs for healthcare providers.
Notably, Dr. Giangregorio has contributed to Osteoporosis Canada’s development of BoneFit, a two-day workshop designed to train physiotherapists and kinesiologists in exercise prescription for individuals with osteoporosis. She previously held the Schlegel Research Chair in Mobility and Aging, where she led national clinical trials and developed exercise guidelines for older adults and those with osteoporosis.
