معرفی
Dr. Leigh Gabel is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, with affiliations at the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health and the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute. Her research focuses on musculoskeletal health, particularly how physical activity and exercise influence bone development and prevention of bone loss during critical life stages like menopause and adolescence. She employs advanced imaging techniques (HR-pQCT, pQCT, DXA) to study bone microarchitecture and its relationship with movement patterns.
Dr. Gabel holds a PhD in Experimental Medicine from the University of British Columbia (2017), an MSc in Kinesiology from McMaster University (2011), and a BSc in Honours Kinesiology from Western University (2008). Her research spans pediatric bone development, wearable technology applications for activity tracking, and interventions to mitigate bone loss in postmenopausal and spaceflight-exposed populations.
Research Interests:
- Role of physical activity in bone accrual and preservation
- Bone loss mechanisms during menopause and microgravity environments
- Accelerometry-based monitoring of bone-loading activities
- Impact of chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, cerebral palsy) on skeletal health
Key Projects:
- Strength Training for Osteoporosis Prevention in Early Menopause (STOP-EM)
- Canadian Bone Strength Development in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Study (CanBSDS)
Awards:
- CIHR Fellowship (2021)
- T. Chen Fong Postdoctoral Fellowship (2017)
- Endeavour Fellowship (2014)
Advising & Grants:
Dr. Gabel supervises students in kinesiology and related fields, with active grants supporting her work on osteoporosis prevention and spaceflight-induced bone changes. Her lab collaborates internationally on pediatric and space medicine initiatives.
Lab Activities:
Research occurs in the McCaig Institute labs and through partnerships with Alberta Children's Hospital. Her team uses cutting-edge imaging and wearable technology to advance understanding of bone health across the lifespan.
