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Physiology

4 Mitacs Globalink (GRI) research projects for Summer 2027.

1. Cell biology of exercise training adaptations

The biological mechanisms by which humans adapt to exercise training remains an unresolved challenge. It is well established that intracellular signaling systems sense the biochemical and biophysical stressors of exercise and change the expression levels of fitness-promoting genes. But how the "dose" of exercise, i.e., its volume and intensity, are encoded by the signaling systems and decoded by transcriptional control systems remains poorly understood. We hypothesize that the exercise dose is encoded in the signaling "dynamics," i.e., their activities over time, which in turn are decoded by transcription factors that determine the gene expression programs. Since it is challenging to directly measure signaling dynamics in exercising humans, we explore this hypothesis by collecting signaling data using an "in vitro model of exercise" and by developing and studying computer models of the intracellular signaling network. To date, we have studied several established exercise-responsive signaling systems, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). We seek to further develop and validate our in vitro model of exercise, which involves culturing myotubes on a substrate whose stiffness reflects muscle tissue, and then exposing the cells to combinations of electrical stimulation (to induce contraction), hypoxia (to mimic the drop in oxygen levels during exercise), and heating (to mimic increased muscle temperatures). We sample cells over time and measure signaling, which provides quantitative data that inform the parameter values of our computer models. While the focus of this project is the experimental analysis, the student can undertake some computational work too if interested.

Research area, student roles & skills

Research area: I direct the Laboratory for Quantitative Exercise Biology, which seeks to build predictive models for optimizing exercise training for health, fitness, rehabilitation, and physical performance goals. The lab features three lines of inquiry: exercise-responsive cell signaling, quantifying and modeling training loads, and evidence-based exercise programming.

Student roles:
The student will assist with ongoing projects related to studying exercise-responsive signaling dynamics using the in vitro exercise model. The student will assist on all facets, including culturing cells, seeding cells for experiments, administering the in vitro exercise model, collecting and processing samples, and conducting assays to measure signaling (typically immunoblot or ELISA). The student will be trained and supervised by a senior graduate student. As the student progresses in skill and confidence, they will be assigned more complex tasks.

The student will also do some literature reviewing and present updates in lab meetings, and write a final technical report. Depending on interests and abilities in computational work, the student may be tasked with running some modeling analyses.

Skills required:
Essential qualities are a keen interest and curiosity for exercise and muscle biology and cell signaling. The project is therefore suitable for students from diverse backgrounds; however, those who are pursing kinesiology, exercise/sport science, or life science degrees would likely best suited.

Desired knowledge: exercise and muscle physiology, cell biology, biochemistry.
Desired skills: basic biochemistry and cellular laboratory skills, such as solution making, pipetting, cell culture, and/or protein assays, are considered assets. Basic computer programming skills in R, Python, or MATLAB are likewise assets.
Attitude: demonstrate evidence of independence, resourcefulness, and persistence in resolving challenging problems.

2. Exercise intervention to preserve brain health

This study examines how a 6 month resistance training intervention influences cerebrovascular and cardiovascular function, and how these physiological changes relate to cognitive and motor performance in older adults. Aging is associated with declines in vascular function and cerebral perfusion, which are increasingly recognized as modifiable contributors to cognitive impairment and mobility limitations. Resistance exercise is a clinically feasible intervention known to improve cardiovascular health, yet its impact on cerebrovascular regulation during real world activities remains poorly understood. Participants will complete a structured, supervised resistance training program over 6 months. Pre and post intervention assessments will evaluate cerebrovascular function using transcranial Doppler ultrasound to measure cerebral blood flow velocity, alongside cardiovascular measures including heart rate, blood pressure, and vascular stiffness. Functional outcomes will include balance, gait, and cognitive performance, assessed under both single task and dual task conditions. The primary objective is to determine whether resistance exercise improves cerebrovascular function, particularly during upright and dynamic tasks that reflect everyday activities. Secondary objectives include examining whether these vascular adaptations are associated with improvements in cognition and mobility, and whether responses differ based on individual characteristics such as baseline fitness or age. By integrating physiological and functional measures, this project aims to identify mechanisms through which exercise supports brain health and reduces risk of cognitive decline. The findings will contribute to the development of targeted, evidence based interventions that promote healthy aging and maintain independence in older adults.

Research area, student roles & skills

Research area: My research focuses on cerebrovascular and cardiovascular physiology in aging, with an emphasis on how brain blood flow regulation supports cognitive and motor function during real world activity. I investigate mechanisms of cerebral hypoperfusion, neurovascular coupling, and vascular adaptations to physiological stress using non invasive technologies. A central focus of my work is understanding how modifiable factors, such as exercise training, influence vascular health and brain function in older adults. This research advances knowledge of vascular contributions to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease, with the goal of identifying physiological targets for prevention and improving mobility, cognition, and independence in aging

Student roles:
The student will play a central role in supporting all aspects of the research project and will receive comprehensive training in human physiology research. The student will be trained to conduct non invasive assessments of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function, blood pressure monitoring, and cognitive testing procedures.
The student will assist with pre and post intervention testing sessions, ensuring adherence to standardized protocols and high quality data collection.
In addition to data collection, the student will contribute to data preprocessing and organization, including basic signal processing, data entry, and quality control. With guidance, the student will participate in statistical analyses and interpretation of results, gaining experience in translating physiological data into meaningful outcomes. Opportunities will be provided to contribute to presentations and written reports.
The student will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, and trainees, gaining exposure to translational research that bridges laboratory science and clinical application. This experience will support the development of technical, analytical, and communication skills, providing strong preparation for graduate studies and future careers in health research.

Skills required:
he student should have a background in kinesiology, physiology, neuroscience, or a related health science discipline. Previous experience with human participant research, exercise testing, or laboratory data collection is an asset but not required. Familiarity with basic cardiovascular physiology, data handling, or statistical analysis is beneficial. The student should demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team. An interest in aging, exercise science, or brain health is important. Training will be provided in all study protocols, equipment use, and data analysis techniques.

3. Les effets du préconditionnement ischémique et du cycle menstruel sur les réponses physiologiques et la capacité physique.

Ce projet vise à évaluer les effets de l’IPC lors des phases folliculaire précoce (FP) et lutéale (LUT) du CM sur : 1) les biomarqueurs sanguins, 2) les réponses physiologiques et 3) la capacité physique aérobie (épreuve cardiorespiratoire, ECR) et anaérobie (Wingate de 30 s, WIN). 30 femmes actives en santé (18 à 35 ans) ayant un CM régulier sans contraception hormonale, avec stérilet en cuivre ou avec pilule contraceptive hormonale réaliseront 5 séances en devis croisé (4 séances expérimentales). Ces séances permettront de comparer l'IPC et une condition placébo pendant deux phases du cycle qui sera contrôlé par la méthode calendrier, les tests d'ovulation et les prises de sang. Lors des séances expérimentales, les femmes exécuteront 2 tests d'efforts (épreuve cardio-respiratoire et wingate) qui seront précédés de prises de sang, de l’IPC/placébo et de l’évaluation de la réponse microvasculaire avec la spectroscopie proche infrarouge. La puissance sera enregistrée en continu lors des tests. De plus, les paramètres d’oxygénation musculaire (volume sanguin local et oxygénation tissulaire) et cardio-respiratoire (consommation d’oxygène, ventilation pulmonaire, fréquence cardiaque) seront mesurés en continu par la spectroscopie proche infrarouge (Portamon) et un chariot métabolique (Vyntus CPX), respectivement. La perception de l’effort sera également évaluée (Borg). Ces différents paramètres permettront de comprendre les réponses des systèmes du corps humain (cœur, poumons, vaisseaux sanguins) à l’IPC, en considérant le cycle menstruel.

Research area, student roles & skills

Research area: Le préconditionnement ischémique (IPC) est une technique sécuritaire (gonflement et relâchement de brassard sur les membres inférieurs ou supérieurs) connue pour ses effets « cardioprotecteurs » est également utilisé avant l’effort pour améliorer la performance sportive. Cette technique pourrait notamment améliorer l’apport et l’extraction musculaire d’oxygène. Toutefois, malgré le potentiel de cette technique, il existe encore plusieurs éléments méconnus et ce particulièrement chez les femmes. Or, il semble que le profil hormonal de la femme ait un impact important plaçant l’évaluation des effets de cette technique chez les femmes en priorité pour améliorer son applicabilité.

Student roles:
- Supervision lors des séances expérimentales
- Collecte de données: fréquence cardiaque, saturée pulsée en oxygène, perception de l'effort
- Gestion de l'échauffement
- Saisie de données
- Lire d'articles scientifiques et préparation de tableau synthèse
- Contribution à une étude de portée sur le sujet
- Analyse de signaux d'oxygénation musculaire
- Suivi de la charge d'entraînement

Skills required:
- Connaissances en physiologie de l'exercice
- Autonomie et rigueur de travail
- Travail en équipe
- Compréhension de l'anglais écrit
- Compréhension et communication en français ou en l'anglais (oral)
- Intérêt pour le sport au féminin et la physiologie de l'exercice
- Expérience pour les tests d'évaluation

4. The impact of exercise and wildfire smoke exposure on the vasculature

Exercise increases minute ventilation and thus increases the dosage of wildfire produced pollutants. Furthermore, exercise in clear air can increase oxidative stress, inflammation, and sympathetic outflow, mimicking some of the impacts of wildfire smoke exposure. Exercise is also accompanied by increased blood flow, and a myriad of acute and chronic responses. However, how the vasculature responds to wildfire smoke during exercise is poorly understood, and no study has specifically investigated sex differences in the vascular response to wildfire smoke. The objectives of the research project are twofold: 1. Establish the dose-response of wildfire smoke on acute vascular changes. 2. Identify sex differences following exercise in wildfire smoke. Using vascular ultrasound, we will measure blood flow (systemic and brain), macro and microvascular endothelial function, and artery stiffness. Participants will exercise in naturally occurring wildfire smoke or clear air. Ventilation, expired gasses, and ECG will be monitored continuously. Males often experience more reduction in endothelial function in response to pollution and other vascular stressors than females. Therefore, we predict that wildfire smoke will reduce macro-and micro-vascular function more in males than in females. We also aim to determine if higher levels of smoke exposure cause greater changes in these functions. By providing strong ecological validity, our findings will potentially guide public policy and regulation for occupational and sport contexts.

Research area, student roles & skills

Research area: The normal functioning of the vasculature is regulated by an integrated response to internal and external stimuli and stressors. My research program explores how the vasculature functions in response to these stressors, enabling the development of countermeasures and interventions. One environmental stressor that my research investigates is wildfire smoke, which can enter through the lungs and initiate a variety of physiological cascades, invoking local and systemic changes to the cardiovascular system.

Student roles:
Students will work with a local student research team to assist in the collection of resting and exercise data on human participants. This will include cardiopulmonary exercise testing, vascular ultrasound, artery stiffness, and other techniques. Students will also learn and assist in the analysis of these data using ADI labchart, Quipu cardiovascular suite, Microsoft excel, and other programs.

Skills required:
Students should have a background in human physiology, exercise physiology, and be familiar with research methods.
Experience in human cardiovascular physiology or vascular ultrasound would also be an asset, but not required.