Profile
While working as an occupational therapist at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance in Chatham, ON, Brenda learned just how important driving an automobile was to her patients, particularly her older clients. The lack of research evidence to address the issue of driving for older Canadians propelled her return to academic studies in 2002.
Brenda completed her doctorate in Rehabilitation Science at The University of Western Ontario (London, ON) in Fall 2006. Her dissertation focused on understanding the experiences and collaboration of older drivers and their passengers (co-pilots) in learning to use in-vehicle navigation technology to provide directional guidance (i.e., driving safety). This research was supported by a health partnership doctoral award from Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) and Canadian Institute on the Research of Pain and Disability (CIRPD) and AUTO21 – Network for the Centres for Excellence. Brenda was selected to attend the CIHR-Institute of Aging sponsored training workshop for emerging researchers in aging (Summer Program in Aging-[SPA]). The theme of promoting safe and functional mobility for older adults is the theme that “drives” her research. As a new assistant professor at McMaster University (Hamilton, ON) in the School of Rehabilitation Science, Brenda plans to build on findings from her doctoral work. Her future research will focus on the relationship between occupational participation, mobility, technology, and health in older adulthood.
Fun Fact
And… for fun… Brenda likes to shoot a few hoops, ski, and hang out at Chapters/Indigo bookstores sipping coffee and laughing with friends.
Taking Graduate Students
Yes
Lab/Research Institute
AUTO21 – Network for the Centres for Excellence.
Canadian Driving Research Initiative for Vehicular Safety in the Elderly (CanDRIVE).
Courses Taught
MSC OT, McMaster University
2007
MSc OT, McMaster University 2006-2007 Course Coordinator, Term 2, Professional Roles & Experiential Practicum (PREP)
MSc OT, McMaster University 2006-2007 PBT Tutor , Term 1, Wellness, Health and Occupation
Recent Research
Title of Proposal: Enhanced mobility for individuals with arthritis
Funding Source: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Investigators: Cranney, B., Byszewski, Gelinas, Li, Man-son-Hing, M., Marshall, S., Towhee, T. E., Vaidyanath, C., Vrkljan, B., Wells, G.
Amount: $96,812
Funding Period: 2007-2009
Title of Proposal: Best Practices in Driver Assessment
Investigators: Vrkljan, B., Clubb, L., Garrett, S., Wood, B., Pauley, T., Letts, L.
Funding Source: Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation
Amount: $5,000
Funding period: 2007-2008
Title of Proposal: Driving into the future: Promoting driving safety across lifespan
Investigators: Vrkljan, B., Sun, H, Sekuler, A., Bennett, P., Lee, T.
Funding Source: Collaborations for Health: Development Across the Lifespan
Amount: $5,491
Funding period: 2007-2008 |