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OS&OT PROFESSORS WIN
GRADUATE TEACHING AWARDS
Drs. Alex Mihailidis and Deirdre Dawson were pre-
sented with the University of Toronto Faculty of Medi-
cine’s 2015 Graduate Teaching Award for Continuing
Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentorship.
The award for Continuing Excellence in Graduate
Teaching and Mentorship is one of six annual graduate fac-
ulty teaching awards to honour and celebrate outstanding
contributions to graduate education. Candidates are nom-
inated by their Graduate Department through a student-
initiated or recent graduate-initiated process, and the
awards are adjudicated by the Faculty of Medicine Grad-
uate Awards Committee, consisting of faculty and gradu-
ate students.
In the many nominating letters submitted in support
of the award, both Alex and Deirdre were described as “a
truly exceptional professor and exemplary mentor”.
Vice Dean of Medicine, Allan Kaplan, quoting from
the nominators, described Deirdre as having “incredible
passion for her work” and that her “genuine enthusiasm
and encouragement” motivated and guided students
through difficult times. Alex was appreciated for being
“highly innovative, productive, and an internationally rec-
ognized scientist, leader and advocate in the field of assis-
tive technologies,” contributing to several MScOT
students winning RESNA Awards.
The awards were presented earlier this year.
Name of Researcher:
Angela Colantonio, U of T
Degrees and Professional Qualifications (including fel-
lowships):
Fellow (American Congress of Rehab Medi-
cine); Fellow (American College of Epidemiology); PhD
(Epidemiology and Public Health); MHSc (Health Promo-
tion Specialization), BSc(OT)
Area of Research:
: Professor at the University of Toronto
in the Department of Occupational Science & Occupa-
tional Therapy with cross appointments in the Dalla Lana
School of Public Health and the Graduate Department of
Rehabilitation Science, and is a Senior Scientist at Toronto
Rehabilitation Institute, UHN. I lead an internationally rec-
ognized program of research on acquired/traumatic brain
injury (ABI/TBI) that includes examination of ABI in the
population targeting injury prevention and post-acute care,
including a special focus on vulnerable populations. My
research program focuses on the nature and outcomes of
neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury with
a major focus on employment outcomes. Other areas of
my research program include long term outcomes follow-
ing traumatic brain injury and exploring the impacts of sex
and gender on health outcomes and health service utiliza-
tion.
Research Related Awards and Honours:
Guest of Honour in recognition of CIHR Research
•
Chair in Gender, Work & Health, Department of
Occupational Science &Occupational Therapy Re-
search Symposium, University of Toronto (2013)
CIHR Research Chair in Gender, Work and Health
•
(2013)
Featured Scientist, University of Toronto Boundless
•
Campaign (2012)
Grants/Funding History (selected):
W.C. Miller, R. Routhier, J.J. Eng, C. H. Goldsmith, K.
•
Best. (2013-15). Wheelchair Self-efficacy Enhanced
training program to improve wheelchair use in older
adults: The WheelSeeU feasibility study. CIHR Oper-
ating Grant ($181,000)
W.C. Miller, A. Mihailidis, A. Mackworth, L. Demers,
•
R.L. Kirby, et al. (2009-15). WheeledMobility for Older
Adults. CIHR emerging Team Grant ($1.48 million).
W.C. Miller, L. Boronowski, L. Demers, R. Kirby, S.
•
Rowe, P. Rushton. (2013-14). Knowledge translation of
a wheelchair skills program for rehabilitation clinicians:
A feasibility study. CIHR Knowledge to Action
($194,000).
ACOTUP RESEARCHERS’ PROFILES
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