ICORD

09/18/2026

Interesting new research from ICORD P*s Dr. Ben Mortenson, Dr. Jaimie Borisoff, and their colleagues explores how older manual wheelchair users perceive and choose power assist devices (PADs)!

The study emphasizes user-centered design, hands-on training, and equitable funding policies to enhance access for wheelchair users.

Read the full study:

Power assist devices (PADs) are attachments for manual wheelchairs (MWCs) that can reduce physical strain and enhance community participation. However, the literature regarding their adoption by ol...

09/15/2026

🏓 Join the Power PARC Table Tennis Tournament!

As part of this year’s PARC fundraiser, everyone is invited to practice, play, and help us raise funds toward a new NuStep Recumbent Cross Trainer!

Drop-in practice sessions will be held September 18, September 25, and October 5, followed by the tournament on October 9 from 1–4 PM in the BSCC Lecture Hall.

Registration is $20 with an early bird discount or $30 day of! Come compete, have some fun, and support accessible physical activity at PARC!

Learn more and register through the link in bio or at icord.org/parc !

09/15/2026

Hear about ICORD Investigator Dr. Bonita Sawatzky's role and journey in the Faculty of Medicine!

As the Canfield Distinguished Scholar in Patient Partnerships, Dr. Sawatzky supports research, teaching, and outreach initiatives in patient partnerships in health professional education.

Read more at:

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09/15/2026

Huge congratulations to Dr. Peter Cripton, who is one of this year's recipients of the UBC Faculty of Applied Science Dean's Medal of Distinction. We are proud (and lucky) to work with such an exceptional colleague!
https://apsc.ubc.ca/alumni/alumni-events/applied-science-celebration

09/11/2026

New research from ICORD researchers Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis, Dr. Cameron Gee, and colleagues explores what makes a parasport environment support meaningful, high-quality participation.

The study examines the features of parasport environments associated with athletes’ quality participation, helping identify how sport settings can better support positive experiences for people with disabilities.

Read the full study: https://us.list-manage.com/OGkBdxUIIrI?e=a572c22099&c2id=52c13e490677aa4755e783db7551eb86

09/04/2026

New publication alert! A paper from Dr. Dena Shahriari and her team on RL-Kirigami, a framework that uses AI to design shape-changing kirigami structures.

Kirigami is the art of cutting and folding flat materials to create flexible, shape-changing structures. The team also transformed these designs into real, laser-cut prototypes, demonstrating how AI-driven design can translate into physical systems.

Read the full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127526011184

09/02/2026

Tune in to an exciting new episode of the Beaker Banter Podcast, featuring ICORD PI Dr. Brett Hilton!

In the episode, Dr. Hilton explores why injured nerve fibres struggle to regrow and how his lab is investigating ways to promote regeneration.

The conversation also dives into his path to becoming a scientist, mentorship, the experiences that shaped his approach to research, and more!

Listen to the whole episode here:

On this episode of Beaker Banter, we sit down with Dr. Brett Hilton...

09/01/2026

Discover how Dr. Heather Gainforth is transforming SCI research!

Through her pioneering integrated knowledge translation (IKT) principles, she’s redefining what true collaboration means in spinal cord injury studies.

“We’ve changed researchers, we’ve changed community organizations, and we’ve even influenced funders,” says Dr. Gainforth.

Read the full story here:
https://www.healthresearchbc.ca/news-events/true-partnership-in-spinal-cord-injury-research/

08/28/2026

What do people want to know about menopause and spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D)?

There are still significant gaps in our understanding of how menopause and SCI/D interact; and people with lived experience can help determine where research should go next.

Read the full story and report: icord.org/the-icordian-spring-2026/

08/27/2026

It was a pleasure to host Dr. Burachyk last week!