Research Resources
The BPK research program has been characterized as having 5 pillars of strength: cardiovascular physiology, chronic diseases, neuromechanics, environmental physiology and neuroscience. The benefits of this clustering of research interests are exemplified by shared infrastructure and regular exchanges on research progress. Increasingly, BPK faculty members work at the interdisciplinary areas of overlap between these fields. Our faculty comprises anatomists, biochemists, biologists, biomechanists, biophysicists, engineers, ergonomists, kinesiologists, neuroscientists, physicians, and physiologists. We apply our knowledge to study human movement, structure and function throughout the life cycle, in health and disease, in benign and extreme environments, at work, at home, at sports and at play. Now BPK is the proud home to the , a Network Centres of Excellence of Canada, the first NCE at SFU.
Not only are we one of the strongest Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology programs in Canada, but we also have a strong commitment to research and are well funded. Our educational goals are to impart a sound knowledge base and to promote critical thinking, problem solving, research, and technical and communication skills appropriate to the field through our undergraduate, graduate and continuing studies programs.
Research Facilities
SFU has a centralized University Animal Care Facility. The facility is run by a director in consultation with a university-wide Animal Care Committee. The use and care of animals conforms to guidelines specified by NSERC and the Canadian Council on Animal Care. The Department also has access to the Biological Sciences aquatic research facilities. On campus, there exist holding facilities for freshwater organisms including large salmonids and a small sea water reservoir.
Two faculty members plus two adjunct faculty members conduct a portion of their research at the B.C. Cancer Research Centre. This provides the opportunity for some kinesiology graduate students to do their research at this facility. Research topics pursued there include biochemical, cytological and epidemiological identification of genetic, lifestyle and chemical factors which influence the risk of cancer and the development of strategies to decrease risk.
SFU's Core Facility Programs include: