Greg Kawchuk, BSc, DC, MSc, PhD

Email

gkawchuk@ualberta.ca

Phone

(780) 492-6891

Address

3-44B Corbett (E.A.) Hall

8205 - 114 St NW

Edmonton AB

T6G 2G4

Degrees

• PhD - Bioengineering - University of Calgary - 2000
• MSc - Biomechanics - University of Calgary – 1995
• DC – Doctor of Chiropractic, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College - 1990
• BSc - Cellular Biology - University of Calgary - 1986

Background

• Academic training began in molecular, microbial and cellular biology (BSc, University of Calgary) and then progressed to biomechanics and bioengineering (MSc, PhD, University of Calgary).
• Clinical trained as a chiropractor (Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College).
• After postdoctoral work at the State University of New York and the University of Calgary, Dr. Kawchuk joined the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary as an Assistant Professor with an additional clinical appointment in Student Health Services.
• Recruited by the University of Alberta in 2004 to join the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine as an Assistant Professor and the Canada Research Chair in Spinal Function. 
• Currently hold adjunct positions at the University of Alberta (Department of Biomedical Engineering) and the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.

Professional Interests

Dr. Kawchuk’s research interests focus on defining the mechanisms that initiate and sustain spinal disorders so that clinically relevant strategies can be developed toward their prevention or resolution. A major component of his research involves developing new technologies to assess spinal structure and function, then using those technologies to evaluate various clinical interventions. 

Current Research

Methods development

A suite of methodologies are being developed to assess spinal structure and function in both in vitro and in vivo settings. These methods utilize advancements in robotics, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and kinematics.   

Interrogation of spinal tissues

Using the methods developed in-house, Dr. Kawchuk is evaluating the mechanical and genetic responses of spinal tissues to various conditions (real or simulated) including therapeutic interventions.    

Human studies

The performance of several methodologies developed in Dr. Kawchuk’s team’s lab is now being evaluated in several human trials. He expects that some of these methods will be used to better diagnose spinal conditions or to evaluate various therapies.

Gregory Kawchuk, PhD, is a doctoral supervisor at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine.