Lloyd Chan

Lloyd Chan is a Lecturer at the University of New South Wales and a conjoint research fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA). His academic appointments bridge biomedical engineering and clinical neurorehabilitation, with a focus on translating wearable sensor technology into practical clinical applications for neurological and geriatric populations.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from University of New South Wales
• Master's in Epidemiology and Biostatistics with Salutatorian honours from Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
• Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy with honours from Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)

Dr. Chan's research revolves around two interconnected themes: quantifying daily-life walking speed and quality using wearable sensors, and developing predictive models for disease progression and health outcomes using digital biomarkers. His work has pioneered methods for assessing gait abnormalities in Parkinson's disease and stroke survivors, with particular emphasis on real-world mobility metrics that better reflect clinical status than traditional laboratory assessments. Through collaborations with clinicians and industry partners, his innovations have been translated into actual clinical practices, most notably in fall prevention and mobility assessment for elderly populations.

Analysis of Dr. Chan's recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward large-scale validation of digital gait biomarkers using wrist-worn sensors. His work leverages the UK Biobank dataset to establish normative values for walking metrics across age groups and to identify specific gait patterns predictive of cardiovascular mortality, dementia, depression, and frailty. This research represents a paradigm shift from laboratory-based gait analysis to real-world mobility assessment, with significant implications for early intervention and personalized rehabilitation planning.

Scientific Awards:

• 2024 Paper of the Year Award in Digital Medicine & Digital Biology (UNSW)
• 2023 NeuRA Publication Excellence Award
• 2023 WILEY Top Cited Article Award in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (2020)
• Multiple early-career awards from Hong Kong institutions

Dr. Chan has secured significant research funding as lead investigator on projects including the Stroke Foundation's SmartStep Stroke initiative for stroke survivors and the Ageing Futures Institute's Beyond Step Counts project. His work demonstrates strong translational potential, with several innovations moving from research validation to clinical implementation. As a former practicing physiotherapist with extensive experience treating Parkinson's disease and stroke patients, he brings valuable clinical perspective to his research endeavors.

Dr. Chan serves as Topic Editor for Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience and as a Grant Scheme Reviewer for Stroke Foundation Australia, demonstrating his growing influence in the field of neurorehabilitation and digital health.