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Announcements Opportunities Trainee Opportunities

PhD Opportunity: Low Back Pain and Lumbar Spine Osteoarthritis Research – Université Laval

A research-based PhD opportunity is available at Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada, for a candidate interested in low back pain, osteoarthritis, pain mechanisms, and rehabilitation research.

The project aims to improve our understanding of the mechanisms explaining the presence or absence of pain in individuals with lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The research will involve the collection of comprehensive measures assessing brain and spinal function, pain sensitivity, spinal mobility, inflammatory biomarkers, and other factors associated with the pain experience.

The successful candidate will join the Neurodos Research Laboratory at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris). The laboratory is directed by Professor Hugo Masse-Alarie, whose research focuses on trunk motor control, the effects of pain on motor control, and the management of chronic low back pain using non-invasive and non-pharmacological approaches.

Location: Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
Program: Research-based PhD
Research areas: Low back pain, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, pain mechanisms, motor control, and rehabilitation

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Hugo Masse-Alarie at hugo.masse-alarie@fmed.ulaval.ca for further information.

Please refer to the opportunity poster for additional details.

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Announcements

Seminar: Myokine-Mediated Skeletal Muscle–Lung/Heart/Brain Communication – Dr. Charly Lai – October 7, 2026

The Myology Institute at the University of Florida is hosting its first seminar of the Fall semester on October 7, 2026, from 3:00–4:00 PM ET.

Dr. Charly Lai will present:

“Myokine-Mediated Skeletal Muscle–Lung/Heart/Brain Communication”

The seminar will explore myokine-mediated communication between skeletal muscle and other organs, including the lungs, heart, and brain.

Date: October 7, 2026
Time: 3:00–4:00 PM ET
Location: Communicore C1-009, University of Florida
Virtual attendance: Available via Zoom

For the Zoom link and the full list of Fall seminars, please visit the Myology Institute website.

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Announcements Newsletter

MSK Network Summer 2026 Newsletter

We are pleased to share the Summer 2026 edition of the MSK Rehab Research Network Newsletter!

MSK Rehab Network Newsletter Summer_2026

This Summer and spring have been an exciting period for the Network, filled with new initiatives, training opportunities, webinars, member achievements, and expanded support programs.

Included in this edition:
  • Announcements

  • Current Network Plans & How to Get Involved

  • Previous Initiatives – Webinars and Resources

  • Network Initiatives

  • Network Support Opportunities

  • Network Membership

  • External Opportunities

  • Members’ Publications, Presentations, and Awards

Thank you to everyone who contributed updates, announcements, opportunities, and accomplishments.

If you have news you’d like to share in our next newsletter, or on our website or social media, please reach out at: rehabnet@uwo.ca

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Announcements Newsletter Opportunities

MHRC Seminar Series – Dr. Fabio Rossi – September 18, 2026

🔬 MHRC Seminar Series – Dr. Fabio Rossi

The Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC) is pleased to welcome Dr. Fabio Rossi from the University of British Columbia for an upcoming seminar on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM (ET).

Dr. Rossi will present “Stromal Cells and Muscle Regeneration: From Basic Mechanisms to Therapeutic Targeting,” exploring the interactions between stromal and inflammatory cells and their roles in muscle regeneration.

The seminar will be held online via Zoom.

Event Details:
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Time: 3:00–4:00 PM (ET)
Location: Online via Zoom

Meeting ID: 922 2513 0162
Passcode: 228933

We encourage researchers, clinicians, trainees, and members of the community with an interest in muscle health and rehabilitation research to attend. We look forward to welcoming you to this seminar.

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Current Research Seeking Participants Newsletter Opportunities Research

Share Your Perspectives on Biomechanics in Osteoarthritis Research and Clinical Care

The Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) Human Movement Biomechanics Discussion Group is conducting a global survey to understand how researchers and healthcare professionals perceive and use biomechanics in osteoarthritis research and clinical care.

The findings will help identify priorities for future research, training, and resource development, while informing strategies to translate biomechanical knowledge more effectively into osteoarthritis research and care.

The survey explores:

  • What researchers and clinicians consider to be biomechanics
  • How biomechanical approaches are currently used or not used
  • Perceptions of the role and need for biomechanics
  • Factors that influence the use or non-use of biomechanics

Who can participate?

Researchers conducting osteoarthritis research and healthcare professionals involved in osteoarthritis care are invited to participate.

You do not need to be a biomechanist or currently use biomechanics to participate. Perspectives from those who currently use biomechanics and those who do not are equally important to understanding experiences across different professions and settings.

🌍 Survey: Global
⏱️ Time commitment: Approximately 10–20 minutes

Learn more: Poster

Questions? Contact: Jade at jadehe@stanford.edu and Karl at kdm40@bath.ac.uk

Take the survey: Survey Link

Please consider participating and sharing the survey with relevant colleagues and professional networks.

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Current Research Seeking Participants Newsletter Opportunities Research

Help Shape the Future of Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis (PTOA) Research

Researchers at the University of British Columbia, in collaboration with La Trobe University and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis (PTOA) Discussion Group, are conducting an international study to identify research priorities for post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA).

The study aims to identify the most important unanswered research questions related to PTOA, osteoarthritis that develops after a joint injury. The findings will help guide future research and care to better reflect the needs and perspectives of people affected by or involved in PTOA.

The research team is seeking perspectives from:

  • People who have experienced a joint injury and may be at risk of PTOA or are living with PTOA
  • Caregivers
  • Healthcare providers
  • Researchers
  • Policy-makers
  • Representatives of funding agencies, charities, organizations, and universities

Participation involves two online surveys (approximately one hour in total), completed 2–3 months apart.

Interested in Participating?

Learn more and check your eligibility: Poster

If you are interested in participating, please access the survey here: Survey Link

For questions about the study, please contact Jenna Schulz at jenna.schulz@ubc.ca.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Jackie Whittaker, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia.

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Announcements Newsletter

MHRC Seminar Series – Dr. Deena Snoke – August 14, 2026

🔬 MHRC Seminar Series – Dr. Deena Snoke

The Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC) is pleased to welcome Dr. Deena Snoke from the University of Vermont College of Medicine for an upcoming seminar on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM (ET).

Dr. Snoke will present “Temporal Variation in Body Composition During the Lung Cancer Continuum,” exploring changes in body composition throughout the lung cancer continuum and discussing their implications for research and clinical care.

The seminar will be held in Room 306, Lumbers Building, with the option to attend online via Zoom.

Event Details

Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM (ET)
Location: Room 306, Lumbers Building & Online via Zoom

Zoom: Zoom link
Passcode: 975467

We encourage researchers, clinicians, trainees, and members of the community with an interest in muscle health and rehabilitation research to attend. We look forward to welcoming you to this seminar.

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Announcements Newsletter

MSK Rehab Research Network Meeting at WCB 2026

The MSK Rehab Research Network brought members together during the World Congress of Biomechanics 2026 in Vancouver for an engaging discussion on current initiatives and the future of the Network.

Led by Michael Hunt, the meeting included updates on GaitNET and OpenWear, two collaborative initiatives aimed at supporting multicentre biomechanics research, improving access to wearable technologies, and promoting open and standardized research practices.

Trainees also shared experiences from international exchanges, highlighting the value of technical training, mentorship, networking, and collaboration across institutions.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the Network’s future priorities, including trainee support, funding opportunities, clinical and industry partnerships, knowledge translation, sustainability, and ways to strengthen the impact of MSK rehabilitation research.

Thank you to Michael Hunt and all participants who contributed their ideas and helped guide the Network’s next steps.

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Announcements

MHRC Seminar Series – Dr. Jakub Tomek – June 5 & June 8, 2026

🔬 MHRC Seminar Series – Dr. Jakub Tomek

The Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC) is pleased to host two upcoming seminars featuring Dr. Jakub Tomek from Oxford University.

On June 5, Dr. Tomek will present “How One Model Can Answer Many Questions: T-World, A New Human Virtual Myocyte for Cardiac Disease and Drug Prediction,” highlighting the development of advanced computational models for understanding cardiac disease and predicting drug responses.

On June 8, Dr. Tomek will present “How To Do Statistics Badly in Life Sciences – And How To Do It A Bit Better!,” discussing common statistical pitfalls in life sciences research and practical approaches to improve research quality and interpretation.

📅 Date: Friday, June 5, 2026

🕒 Time: 3:00 PM (ET)

📍 Location: Room 306, Lumbers Building & Online via Zoom

🔗 Zoom Link: Zoom Link

📅 Date: Monday, June 8, 2026

🕒 Time: 3:00 PM (ET)

📍 Location: Room 306, Lumbers Building & Online via Zoom

🔗 Zoom Link: Zoom Link

✅ All are welcome to attend.

📌 Please refer to the event poster for full details or contact MHRC for more information.

Categories
Announcements Newsletter

MSK Network Winter 2026 Newsletter

We are pleased to share the Winter 2026 edition of the MSK Rehab Research Network Newsletter!

MSK Rehab Research Network Newsletter Winter – 2026

This Winter has been an exciting period for the Network, filled with new initiatives, training opportunities, webinars, member achievements, and expanded support programs.

Included in this edition:

  • Announcements

  • Current Network Plans & How to Get Involved

  • Previous Initiatives – Webinars and Resources

  • Network Initiatives

  • Network Support Opportunities

  • Network Membership

  • External Opportunities

  • Members’ Publications, Presentations, and Awards

Thank you to everyone who contributed updates, announcements, opportunities, and accomplishments.

If you have news you’d like to share in our next newsletter, or on our website or social media, please reach out at: rehabnet@uwo.ca