Category: Announcements

🔬 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.

We’re excited to highlight an upcoming session at the Canadian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting:

🧠 Innovative Technologies for the Assessment and Management of MSK Pain
📅 May 2, 2026
🕘 9:15 – 10:30 AM
📍 Room 303A

This interactive symposium will explore how emerging technologies are shaping MSK pain rehabilitation, including:
🔹 Virtual reality tools for persistent pain
🔹 ARISE augmented reality system for sensorimotor training
🔹 Co-designed digital education for remote care

💡 Participants will also engage in hands-on small group sessions, followed by discussion on real-world implementation in research and clinical practice.

This is a great opportunity for clinicians, researchers, and trainees interested in innovation in MSK pain care.

🔗 CPS Annual Meeting Website
🔗 Full Conference Agenda

We hope to see you there!

The Muscle Health Research Centre at York University is pleased to invite registrations and abstract submissions for the 17th Annual Muscle Health Awareness Day (MHAD17).

This annual event brings together trainees, researchers, clinicians, and community partners to share and discuss research related to muscle health.

🗓 Event Details:

• Date: Friday, May 1, 2026

• Time: 8:00 AM – 4:15 PM

• Location: York University, Keele Campus

• Room locations: To be announced closer to the event

🎤 Program Highlights:

MHAD17 will feature:

• Presentations from leading researchers in muscle health

• Poster presentations from trainees and researchers

• A lived experience session in partnership with MitoCanada

• A presentation from MitoCanada’s CEO on their mission and work

• Networking opportunities, including a student–faculty roundtable session

This year MHAD is pleased to welcome Dr. Jenna Gibbs, Dr. Arthur Cheng, Dr. Val Fajardo, Dr. Stephen Brown, Dr. Penny Gilbert, and Dr. Robin Duncan.

📝 Abstract Submission

Abstract submissions are now open for poster presentations.

We welcome submissions from:

• Undergraduate and graduate students

• Postdoctoral fellows

• Faculty and research scientists

Topics may include (but are not limited to):

• Muscle health (skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscle)

• Exercise and rehabilitation

• Disease and metabolism

• Neurophysiology and blood flow

• Any topic directly or indirectly related to muscle health

📌 Important notes:

• Abstracts submitted by April 22, 2026 (midnight) will be considered for presentation prizes

• All accepted abstracts will be published in the MHAD17 Conference Proceedings

• Posters may be reused if presented within the past 12 months

• Poster size must not exceed 48” (width) × 36” (height)

🔗 Submit your abstract here:

https://www.yorku.ca/mhrc/mhad/

📝 Registration Information

All attendees (except speakers) are required to register, regardless of whether they are submitting an abstract.

📌 Registration deadline: April 22, 2026 (midnight)

⚠️ Cash payments are not accepted

🔗 Registration page: https://health.payments.uit.yorku.ca/register?returnUrl=%2Fregistration-fee-2026

🔗 Payment page: https://health.payments.uit.yorku.ca/

📌 Important notes:

• Registration and payment are separate steps

• Each attendee must register individually

• Each ticket must be purchased for one person

• If paying for multiple attendees, separate registrations are recommended (group payment option available)

📬 Additional Information

For more details, please visit the official MHAD17 webpage:

https://www.yorku.ca/mhrc/home/muscle-health-awareness-day-mhad/

For inquiries, please contact: mhrc@yorku.ca

🔬 MHRC Seminar Series – Dr. Christopher Adams

The Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC) is pleased to host an upcoming seminar featuring Dr. Christopher Adams (MD, PhD) from the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Adams will present “Investigating Mechanisms and Treatments of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy,” highlighting current research on the biological mechanisms of muscle loss and emerging treatment approaches.

📅 Date: Friday, March 20, 2026

🕒 Time: 3:00 PM (ET)

💻 Location: Online via Zoom

✅ All are welcome to attend.

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

The Myology Institute at the University of Florida invites trainees, researchers, clinicians, and students to attend an upcoming seminar presented by Dr. Leigh Breen, Professor of Translational Physiology at the Leicester Lifestyle and Health Research Group.

This seminar will examine the clinical and molecular mechanisms contributing to accelerated sarcopenia in metabolic disease. The presentation will highlight emerging evidence on muscle loss, metabolic dysfunction, and implications for rehabilitation, prevention, and treatment strategies.

Event Details:

📅 Date: March 4, 2026

🕒 Time: 3:00–4:00 PM (ET)

📍 Location: Online via Zoom

💻 Zoom Link: https://ufl.zoom.us/j/99211803713

This seminar offers a valuable opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research in muscle biology and its relevance to musculoskeletal health and rehabilitation.

The Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC) invites trainees, researchers, clinicians, and students to attend the upcoming International Trainee Seminar Series focused on Aging and Biomechanics.

This seminar will feature presentations from three trainee researchers whose work advances understanding of musculoskeletal health, biomechanics, and rehabilitation, particularly in relation to aging populations and upper limb function.

Speakers include:

• Stephen Boulanger, PhD Candidate, York University

• Lauren Straatman, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Waterloo

• Kathryn Rex, PhD Candidate, Penn State University

Their research explores key topics including rotator cuff disease, osteoarthritis, upper limb biomechanics, surgical outcomes, and joint preservation strategies.

Event Details:

📅 Date: February 27, 2026

🕒 Time: 10:00 AM (ET)

📍 Location: Online via Zoom

💻 Registration Link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/RmKZrITOSyu9yAKSgvG8sg

👥 Host: Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC)

The MHRC Trainee Seminar Series highlights emerging researchers and provides an opportunity to learn about innovative trainee-led discoveries in muscle biology, biomechanics, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

All are welcome to attend. Please refer to the event poster or MHRC communications for additional details.