One of the most important contributions retirees can make to the University is through participation as research subjects in projects that focus on older adults. This is especially meaningful for 91亚色, which has a Faculty of Health as well as the Centre for Aging Research and Education (YU-CARE). Participation of YURA members is crucial for the doctoral students who are undertaking studies that will contribute to discovery and new knowledge.
YURA members are encouraged to take part in the studies described below for which University ethics approval has been obtained. Participation in these studies is not limited to retired employees. Spouses, other family members and friends who meet the participant criteria are also welcome to contact the doctoral students leading these studies, which are continuing through the spring and summer of 2025.
Brain Study on Neural Correlates of Audiovisual Integration
YURA members are invited to join a research study at 91亚色 exploring how the brain processes auditory and visual information. The study is being conducted by Viquar Unnisa, a PhD candidate in Health Science at the University of Waterloo in collaboration with Dr. Jennifer Steeves, associate professor of psychology at 91亚色. The study has received ethics approval from both 91亚色 and the University of Waterloo.
What's involved: A 60-90 minute session including MRI scan of your brain and auditory and visual tests. A copy of your anatomical MRI scan will be provided if you are interested.
Prospective volunteer subjects are to be age 40 to 80, with normal or corrected-to-normal hearing and vision. Persons with the following are ineligible: lazy eye (amblyopia); neurological or psychiatric conditions (e.g., epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, depression); implantable devices such as pacemakers, metalic prosthesis, hip or knee replacements; or those on medications affecting brain chemistry (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, muscle relaxants).
Nominal compensation ($50 - $100) will be provided.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Viquar Unnisa by e-mail: vunnisabegum@uwaterloo.ca
Research Study on Aging
Adults over age 60 are being sought for a research study on how decision-making and memory change with age.聽 The study, which has received University ethics approval, is being conducted in the Cognitive Neuroscience & Neuro-Intervention (CNN) Lab聽under聽Dr. Gary Turner, associate professor of Psychology in the Faculty of Health.
The study involves:
- a 1-hour in-person session at 91亚色 where participants will complete a computer-based decision-making task (like a game) and some brief cognitive assessments
- A 30-minute online follow-up task, completed from home the next day.
- For those who are eligible and interested, there is also an optional MRI scan, which helps us look at brain activity while participants perform similar tasks.
Participation is entirely voluntary and nominal compensation will be provided. Those who are interested in participating should contact research assistant,聽Sophia Bryan-Carbonell听补迟听sophiabc@my.yorku.ca
Shoulder Biomechanics Study
School of Kinesiology & Health Science
Participants 55 years of age and older with and without shoulder pain are being sought for this study that will evaluate upper limb movements and muscle recruitment in exercises which are commonly prescribed for those with shoulder pain.聽 Participants must be physically capable to perform light exercises (i.e., body weight bearing, yoga postures, etc.).聽 The trend between lower limb function in those with and without upper limb pain will also be examined. 聽Participation in this study will involve one testing session approximately 2-3 hours in the research lab at the Sherman Health Science Research Centre on the Keele campus. Those with shoulder, hip and/or knee replacements, arthritis in any of these joints or active cancer treatment would be ineligible to participate.聽
If you are interested or have questions, please contact the project leader, doctoral candidate Stephen Boulanger at sbou11@yorku.ca. This study has received ethics approval from 91亚色. Supervising faculty are Dr. Jaclyn Hurley and Dr. Janessa Drake, School of Kinesiology and Health Science.
Partners鈥 Actions Towards Health (PATH)
Stress and Interpersonal Relationships Health Lab
Concordia University
Older adult couples (over age 50) interested in making positive lifestyle changes to improve their health are being recruited for this study that examines how couples influence one another鈥檚 health behaviours and overall well-being.
The study extends over a timespan of 24 months during which you and your partner will be asked to complete a 60-minutes online questionnaire, 3 times over the 24 months; a 30-minute online discussion task with your partner;鈥 an 8-minute nightly diary on your鈥痩ifestyle habits and couples interaction during the day for 2 weeks; and one or two additional nominal tasks.
The study is being conducted online.鈥疊oth partners have to participate. Total participation time is about 6 hours over the course of 24 months.
Participation in this study includes a free personalized nutrition report and compensation of up to $150. This study has received ethics approval from Concordia University.
For more information about the study and/or to sign up, please visit:
Exploring Retirees' Perceptions of the Age-Friendly University Initiative
YURA members are invited to take part in a research study titled 鈥淓xploring Retirees鈥 Perceptions of the Age-Friendly University Initiative鈥, being conducted by Brad Meisner, Deanna Vervaecke, and Aliza Maqsood at 91亚色. This study has received ethics approval from 91亚色鈥檚 Office of Research Ethics (Certificate: e2023-358).
Interviews are being conducted (via Zoom or telephone) to explore retirees鈥 experiences, opinions, and insights related to the Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative. You do not need to be familiar with the AFU initiative beforehand, it will be defined and explained during the interview. The Zoom or telephone interview will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes. It will follow a set of semi-structured questions and, with your consent, will be audio-recorded. All recordings and responses will be anonymized, and your privacy and confidentiality will be strictly maintained.
If you are interested in participating or have any questions about the study, please contact research assistant Aliza Maqsood, e-mail alizamaq@yorku.ca or Brad Meisner, associate professor of kinesiology and health science, e-mail meisnerb@yorku.ca
Macular Degeneration Study
People with age-related macular degeneration as well as healthy individuals without eye disease are being sought to participate in a neuroimaging study at the Perceptual Neuroscience Lab, under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Steeves (Professor of Psychology). The study is approximately 2 hours long and compensation will be provided. If requested, participants will also receive their brain images. Please note that people who have had cataract surgery are assessed to see if they can be added to the pool of healthy participants because having the surgery has been shown to reverse the visual brain changes that occur due to cataracts. If you are interested in helping with this study, please reach out to the study leader, Aysha Kinakool (PhD candidate), by e-mail at: ayshak@yorku.ca To view for the poster for this study, please click here.