Translating evidence and restoring mobility: U of A announces renewal of two Canada Research Chairs

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is proud to announce the renewal of two tier one Canada Research Chairs: Lisa Hartling and Vivian Mushahwar.

These renewals acknowledge both researchers' sustained contributions to their respective fields, from improving how health research is synthesized and applied in everyday care, to engineering neural technologies that assist with mobility and rehabilitation.

Lisa Hartling: Bridging science and practice through trustworthy knowledge

Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Synthesis and Translation

Professor, Department of Pediatrics (Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine)
Member, Women and Children's Health Research Institute | Stollery Science Lab Distinguished Researcher

While significant funding is directed toward health research each year, applying new discoveries to routine medical practice can be slow and inconsistent. As a result, patients do not always receive the most effective treatments. Compounding this challenge is an influx of variable-quality research, which can undermine public trust in scientific evidence. Lisa Hartling’s work focuses on addressing these gaps by systematically gathering, evaluating and synthesizing health evidence to help inform clinical and personal health choices.

In this next term of her chair, Hartling is exploring how tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning can make evidence synthesis faster, more transparent and more efficient. Alongside these technological approaches, her research emphasizes health equity and community engagement. She collaborates with parents to co-create accessible resources — such as interactive infographics and videos — that combine scientific evidence with lived experience. This work is also expanding to engage non-English-speaking families and under-represented cultural groups to help ensure health information is practical and accessible across diverse populations.

Dr. Lisa Hartling

"I am excited to advance new lines of inquiry investigating cutting-edge approaches for more efficient knowledge synthesis and translation, including the use of artificial intelligence. As well, I am advancing work to consider how equity factors are addressed in research and how we can engage with cultural minority groups to meet their specific health information needs," says Hartling.

Vivian Mushahwar: Restoring function and improving quality of life using intelligent neurotechnologies and innovative rehabilitation

Canada Research Chair in Functional Restoration

Professor, Department of Medicine (Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
Director, iSMART

Vivian Mushahwar, an electrical engineer with a PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Utah, works at the intersection of engineering and rehabilitation medicine. As director of iSMART, her lab develops wearable and implantable neural prostheses designed to restore lost physical function and prevent secondary medical complications in people living with paralysis.

As part of the Project SMART team, Mushahwar has led the development of micro-implants that use intraspinal microstimulation. These implants target the region of the spinal cord responsible for standing and stepping, with the goal of restoring functional mobility after spinal cord injury. She also led the electrical stimulation-assisted arms and legs cycling initiative for enhancing neurorecovery after injury. Beyond implantable devices and creative rehabilitation strategies, her team focuses on common complications associated with reduced mobility, such as pressure injuries and deep vein thrombosis. By creating wearable garments like Smart-e-Pants and the SOCC, which use novel electrical stimulation patterns, Mushahwar’s research aims to reduce secondary health issues for persons experiencing reduced mobility or impaired sensation while offering cost-effective options for health-care systems.

Dr. Vivian Mushahwar

Mushahwar had this to say on the renewal: "I am honoured and deeply grateful for the renewal of my Canada Research Chair in Functional Restoration. This investment is not only a recognition of our team's work, but a commitment to the thousands of individuals living with spinal cord injury who inspire us every day. Our goal is to develop technologies that restore movement, function, and independence, helping transform what is possible after paralysis. Together with our outstanding trainees, collaborators, and partners, we remain committed to translating scientific discovery into real-world impact for people and their families."

Looking ahead

The renewal of Lisa Hartling and Vivian Mushahwar highlights the U of A’s ongoing commitment to applied health research. By providing clear, evidence-based information to families and developing functional neural devices, both researchers continue to address practical challenges in patient care and health delivery.