Researcher support

Developing interdisciplinary programs of research

MIRA has a strong focus on interdisciplinary programming and research. LCMA funded Master’s and PhD scholars are required to adopt a mentor from a different Faculty than that of their supervisor, while funded postdoctoral fellows require two such mentors. These outer-Faculty mentors are meant to provide an alternative perspective to the project, and to assist in further developing the student or fellow’s capacity to approach aging research with a multi-disciplinary frame of reference.

Grant opportunities funded through the LCMA require proposals to demonstrate inclusion of researchers from a minimum of three different Faculties at McMaster University. This brings identified expertise and added value to the proposed project. In many cases these are researchers that have not worked together in the past. MIRA and LCMA researchers reported that they developed more than 100 new collaborations with researchers in their own disciplines, and more than 200 outside of their disciplines.

The interactive MIRA researcher map which launched in the fall was designed to facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations within McMaster University across Faculties, allowing users to quickly identify where MIRA members see themselves in terms of research focus and research output (see page 62). MIRA’s Research Coordinator promotes interdisciplinary collaborations among MIRA members, Trainee Network members, and industry partners by identifying possible collaborators and facilitating introductions. Further, MIRA has been active in cultivating international relationships and collaborations and industry partnerships, as outlined in the external partners section of this report (see page 86). MIRA members have been successful in leveraging their collective expertise and, in some cases, MIRA has funded pilot studies to succeed in applications for grants, both large and small in 2020. Some examples include:

Zheng R (PI), Ashtiani H, Carmichael T, Chiang F, Deen J, Eskicioglu M, Fang Q, Gardner P, Latulipe C, Papaioannou A, Wilson J, NSERC CREATE for Smart Mobility for the Aging Population, NSERC CREATE – Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program, $1,650,000

Shedden J (PI), von Mohrenschildt M (Collaborator). Multisensory processing, self-motion perception, and performance across the lifespan: Behavioural and neural measures $165,000

Hewston P (PI and MIRA PDF), Papaioannou A (PI), Co-I: Kennedy C, Ioannidis G, Marr S, Patterson C, Hladysh G. Does GERAS DANCE improve cognitive function in older adults? Alzheimer’s Society Foundation, Research Grant – Open Access Publication $2,000

Beauchamp M (NPI), Vrkljan B, Fang Q, McNicholas P, Newbold B, Gardner P, Kuspinar A, Richardson J, Zargoush M, Raina P. Monitoring My Mobility (M3): A mobility self-monitoring tool for older adults and their caregivers, Grant, AGE-WELL’s Core Research Program (CRP) 2020 Catalyst Grant, Research - New Project, $30,000

Beauchamp M (NPI), Vrkljan B, Fang Q, McNicholas P, Newbold B, Gardner P, Kuspinar A, Richardson J, Zargoush M, Raina P. Monitoring My Mobility (M3): A mobility self-monitoring tool for older adults and their caregivers, AGE-WELL Core Research Program (CRP) Grant, Research - New Project, $600,000

McArthur C (MIRA PDF), Surlin S, Akinyemi A, Zheng R, Gardner P, Papaioannou A. ABLE-Music: MovementMusic Interactions to Engage Older Adults with Cognitive Impairments. Centre for Brain Health and Aging $50,000