 Welcome to my homepage, which has been up and running since March, 1996. To send me mail, please click here:
OCCUPATION: In Ontario, I was the Research Engineer in the Orthopaedic Research Lab, University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London. My work centred on the biomechanical assessment of a new design of prosthetic knee replacement. The main concerns were: (1) the development of theories and techniques for the application and analysis of data from pressure-sensitive (Fuji Prescale) film, placed within the joint interface (thereby recording the characteristic interface conditions) and (2) the development of a technique for reconstructing the spatial- positions of the components comprising the artificial knee, from a single radiograph ("x-ray"). I was also involved in work on external fixators (those strange frame things that you may have seen attached to someone's leg, for fracture-healing purposes). In the past, I have also been involved in various aspects of wheelchair design, including an electric unit in which the patient was held in a standing position. In August 1996, I took up the position of Director of the new Gait Analysis Laboratory at the Shriners Hospital for Children, Shreveport. In August 1998, I moved on to the Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia to Direct (and set up) the new Gait Analysis Laboratory there. Laboratories of this type are responsible for the clinical analysis of the walking patterns of patients with walking dysfunction, with a view to facilitating better surgical, orthotic (bracing), pharmacolocical or theraputic care for their condition and allowing quantitative follow-up. These labs can also serve as a research tool for gaining better understanding of the functional deficits caused by certain conditions, the clinical outcomes of surgical techniques, and the effect of conservative treatments (such as bracing, therapy, etc.). My current position is that of "Service Leader" of the Syncrude Centre for Motion and Balance, in the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton (part of the Capital Health Authority). This centre is responsible for clinical gait and motion studies, as well as the assessment and treatment of balance problems. I head a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Physical Therapists (motion, vestibular rehabilitation and geriatric), an Audiologist, a Kinesiologist, Physiatrists, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Neurologists, ENT specialists and a Geriatrician. The Centre has a mandate to see patients with a wide range of conditions, across all age ranges.
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Rocketry: I've always been fascinated with the space programs (of both the US and Russia/Soviet Union). So, getting into rocketry was probably going to happen sooner or later. I am currently President of the Edmonton Rocketry club and hold a level three certification for building and flying high power rockets. My model rocket interests are in scale models of real vehicles, particularly those of the Soviet/Russian program. My high power aim is to experiment with avionics/payloads. If any high-school student/science teacher in the Edmonton area is interested in flying a Science Fair payload project, please do get in touch.
Fencing: Until August 1996, I was President of the London Sword Club, Head Coach/Instructor at the University of Western Ontario Fencing Club and Assistant Coach at the University of Western Ontario Varsity Team. On top of all this, I also competed nationally at epee (duelling-style weapon) and held a "B" grade in Canada, although finding time to compete was a major problem. After a period of inactivity in Shreveport, and casual involvement in Philadelphia, I'm looking forward to getting back into the sport on a regular basis here in Edmonton.  Federation Music: Since 1977, I've been a fan of a British group called "The Stranglers". Although relatively unknown over here in Canada, they've had a huge influence on the British music scene. I was a founding member of SIS (Stranglers Information Service) Canada, sanctioned by the head office in Cambridge, UK; through this organisation, I have been involved in the art-work and desk-top publishing of "North Winds" a fanzine which has gained international circulation. Having left SIS Canada, I am now running SIS OnLine (with my wife, Christina), and am responsible for the design and maintenance of the official Stranglers Web Site, "The Rat's Lair".  Graphic Art: I'm a keen graphic artist, working in pen-and-ink, with some computer-graphics work. I've been responsible for the line-drawings used in many of my technical papers and have also produced cut-away anatomical images. I'm particularly interested in North West Coast Indian Art (recognisable as the style used on totem poles); since 1991, I've been actively learning the basics of this unique art-form and have produced a number of works.  Photography: I have been an active amateur photographer for over 10 years. In the professional setting, I have produced monochrome prints for my journal publications, colour prints for my posters and reports and colour slides for my conference presentations. |
