Jennifer Jakobi

Jennifer Jakobi is a Professor at the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Development, UBC Okanagan. She serves as Director of the Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention and holds the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering. Her work bridges neuromuscular physiology and STEM diversity initiatives.

• Research Themes: Frailty, aging in place, sex-differential muscle function, and motor unit modulation.
• Labs: Leads the Healthy Exercise and Aging Lab (HEAL) and coordinates the iSTAND diversity program.

Publications focus on aging biomechanics, cannabis impacts in elderly populations, social VR interventions, and pandemic-era health behaviors. Her NSERC-funded basic research examines cortical-spinal pathways, while UBCO grants support applied studies on vibration therapy and assistive technologies.

Scientific Contributions:

• Identified sex-specific force steadiness mechanisms
• Developed prehabilitation frameworks for functional independence
• Advocated for gender-inclusive STEM education

Outreach includes youth STEM camps, equity workshops, and community partnerships on aging-in-place policies. Current research explores VR-based social engagement and cannabis safety protocols for seniors.