3
Universityof Alberta FacultyMembers
MasakoMiyazaki, PhD, andYagesh
Bhambhani, PhD, Retiringon June30th.
M
asako graduated as an occupa-
tional therapist in 1970. She
worked clinically in Japan, Ohio,
NewfoundlandandEdmontonbeforedirect-
ing the stroke researchclinicand joining the
department in1983. She specialized inneu-
rological rehabilitation, telehealth and e-
health. Masako directed the Telehealth
Technology Research Institute, an opportu-
nity thatgrewoutofherdesire tomentor for-
mer students working in rural Alberta. The
institute hostedover 800people at the First
InternationalCongressofTelehealthandMul-
timediaTechnologies.Shewasnominated for
anAward forOutstanding Leadership inAl-
berta Technology. She served as an expert
consultant to theUSDepartmentofDefense,
USTelerehabilitation for theNational Institute
on Disability and Rehabilitation Research,
and companies such asNew Energy and In-
dustrial TechnologyDevelopmentOrganiza-
tionof Japan.Shewasaspecial advisor to the
University President for matters related to
Japan.Hermanypublicationsbegan in1971,
and she has presentedherwork around the
world. Her roles withCAOT have included
beingaboardmember andhelpingplan the
annual conference.
Y
agesh joined thedepartment in1986.
Hisexpertise inworkphysiologymade
him an integral part of the Occupa-
tional Performance Analysis unit (OPAU),
which started the same year. He has com-
pletedphysicalworkcapacityassessments for
over 600OPAUclients. Applyinghis expert-
iseduring interactionwith theseclients gave
himopportunities to understand individuals
with a variety of disabilities anddisseminate
this knowledge. His research interests relate
to exercise, effects of trainingon individuals
with spinal cord injuries, energyexpenditure
during activity andwork evaluation of per-
sons with and without disabilities. His re-
search has produced close to 100 peer
reviewed publications andmanymore con-
ference proceedings and presentations. He
hasworkedwithParalympic sports andpar-
ticipatedonanationalcommittee topromote
physical activity forpersonswithchronicdis-
abilities. He has held consultative and advi-
sorypositions.Manyofhis researchstudents
have goneon to leadershippositionswithin
theprofession.
We celebrate their contributions to the
programand theprofessionand invite
you to joinus inwishing themmeaningful
occupations for thenext phaseof their
lives.
