Kathryn Sibley, BSc, MSc, PhD

Research summary

Dr. Kathryn Sibley is dedicated to bridging the gap between research and practical applications in healthcare. Her work primarily focuses on fall prevention in older adults and optimizing balance exercises to improve health outcomes. By engaging research users throughout the research process, Dr. Sibley addresses critical gaps in rehabilitation, ultimately contributing to better healthcare for Canadians.

Dr. Sibley holds a background in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, graduate degrees in Rehabilitation and Medical Sciences from the University of Toronto, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network.

As the Director of Knowledge Translation and a scientist at the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, and a research affiliate with the Centre on Aging, Dr. Sibley leads efforts in knowledge translation and is a key player in advancing innovations in healthcare. Her work has been supported and recognized by prominent organizations, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and Knowledge Translation Canada.

Research affiliations and groups

• Director, Knowledge Translation, George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation
• Member, Ongomizwiin Research
• Research affiliate, Centre on Aging
• Integrated Knowledge Translation Research Network
• International Society of Posture and Gait Research

Keywords

• Aging
• Balance
• Evidence-based healthcare
• Exercise
• Fall prevention
• Falls
• Gait
• Integrated knowledge translation
• Postural control
• Rehabilitation

Dr. Kathryn Sibley is a professor in the College of Community and Global Health at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, with cross-appointments in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences and the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Manitoba. Her research focuses on aging, fall prevention and knowledge translation, with the goal of improving health outcomes for Canadians by bridging the gap between research and practice.

Dr. Sibley earned her undergraduate degree in kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, followed by a Master of Science in rehabilitation sciences and a PhD in medical sciences from the University of Toronto. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in knowledge translation at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network. Her work has received support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Knowledge Translation Canada. Dr. Sibley has been recognized with several awards, including the Ken Hughes Young Investigator Award for Medical Research and the Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award.

As director of knowledge translation at the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, Dr. Sibley leads initiatives to advance knowledge translation science. She is a member of the Integrated Knowledge Translation Research Network and the International Society of Posture and Gait Research. Her research aims to optimize balance exercises for fall prevention in older adults and engage research users throughout the process to develop evidence-based solutions in rehabilitation sciences.

Education

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Knowledge Translation, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Sciences (PhD), University of Toronto

Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences (MSc), University of Toronto

Bachelor of Science with Honours in Kinesiology (BSc), University of Waterloo

Awards

Canada Research Chair (Tier II) (2016–present)

Ken Hughes Young Investigator Award for Medical Research, University of Manitoba (2019)

Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rehabilitation Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award, University of Manitoba (2017)

Future 40 Award Nominee, CBC Manitoba (2017 and 2018)