October 20, 2005 Source: University of Calgary:
http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/oct05/engg-air-lab.html Kinesiology lab named in honour of generous donor Ongoing contributions towards human mobility research projects have prompted the Faculty of Kinesiology to recognize Engineered Air by naming one of the U of C’s Kinesiology labs in honour of the company’s latest gift and its long-standing support. "This type of community support serves to further the quality of research and teaching that occurs at the University of Calgary," U of C President Dr. Harvey Weingarten said. "Engineered Air has been a true partner in the innovative work that’s being done in one of the university’s highest-priority areas – health and wellness research." The gait laboratory in the Roger Jackson Centre for Health and Wellness Research was named the Engineered Air Gait Laboratory today after Engineered Air recently enhanced its support of the da Vinci Project with an additional $500,000. The project is a high-calibre research program focusing on mobility and longevity factors in health and human performance. It was established in 1997 with an initial endowment of $2 million by Engineered Air. The increased funding will help the project recruit more world-class researchers and bolster research that is improving the quality of life for people suffering debilitating diseases and injuries. "This donation provides the possibility for the Faculty of Kinesiology to be a true world leader in research related to mobility and longevity," said Dr. Benno Nigg, co-director of the Roger Jackson Centre for Health and Wellness Research. "I like the work that I see happening at the Faculty of Kinesiology," said Engineered Air President, Don Taylor. "The discoveries that are being made in the aging of muscles, the design of shoes to help people walk and run in comfort, the prevention of arthritis - this leading edge research will have positive implications for people, helping them to live longer and better. This is something that we can buy into." The Roger Jackson Centre for Health and Wellness Research was unveiled in June 2005 featuring a merger and expansion of the U of C’s Sport Medicine Centre and Human Performance Lab – facilities that are legacies of the 1988 Winter Olympics. The centre is a unique, multidisciplinary research, education and clinical site where kinesiologists, engineers, medical scientists and sport medicine specialists are collaborating to better understand links between exercise and nutrition and diseases such as cancer, arthritis and osteoporosis; the effects of aging on muscles and mobility; prevention and rehabilitation of injuries; improving the performance of sport shoes; optimizing training and performance of national team athletes. The Faculty of Kinesiology has long been recognized as an international leader in health, wellness and human performance research and was rated "the best in the world in clinical biomechanics research" by an external review team in 2002. Media event: Media are invited to the unveiling of the Engineered Air Gait Laboratory. A tour of the facility (including demonstrations) will take place from 4 to 4:45 pm, followed by a reception and official dedication.
Officials and students from the University of Calgary and Engineered Air executives will be available for interviews and photo opportunities. Directions: The lab is located in the Roger Jackson Centre for Health and Wellness Research, in the Kinesiology Complex on the north side of the University of Calgary main campus. Turn south off 32nd Avenue N.W. onto Collegiate Blvd. The Centre is located just past the Olympic Oval. For more information, contact: Kim Kadatz
Director of Development and Alumni Relations
Faculty of Kinesiology
University of Calgary
Phone: 210-8727
Email: akkadatz@ucalgary.ca
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