Alison Novak, University of Toronto

Research

Mobility Biomechanics Ergonomics Fall Prevention Public Health Accessibility Aging-In-Place Movement Control

Latest papers

Determining perception thresholds of young adults to small continuous moving platform perturbations.
Journal of neurophysiology · 2026
Effect of using of a lower-extremity exoskeleton on disability of people with multiple sclerosis.
Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology · 2023
Does increased gait variability improve stability when faced with an expected balance perturbation during treadmill walking?
Gait & posture · 2021

All 6 publications

Latest funding

Safer Bathrooms - Creating the evidence base for policies, products and clinical strategies to prevent slips and improve mobility
CIHR · 2021 · Nominated PI
$554,624
Summer Program in Aging 2019
CIHR · 2019 · Supervisor
Redesigning street crossings for increased accessibility and safety in a four-season Canadian climate
CIHR · 2018 · Nominated PI
$432,226

All 7 grants and awards

6 publications.

01

Determining perception thresholds of young adults to small continuous moving platform perturbations.

Mahdaviani K, Tremblay L, Novak A, Mansfield A

Journal of neurophysiology2026

DOI: 10.1152/jn.00425.2025 PMID: 42178272

02

Effect of using of a lower-extremity exoskeleton on disability of people with multiple sclerosis.

McGibbon C, Sexton A, Gryfe P, Dutta T, Jayaraman A, Deems-Dluhy S, Novak A, Fabara E, Adans-Dester C, Bonato P

Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology2023

DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2021.1874064 PMID: 33503390

03

Does increased gait variability improve stability when faced with an expected balance perturbation during treadmill walking?

Nestico J, Novak A, Perry SD, Mansfield A

Gait & posture2021

DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.03.014 PMID: 33711616

04

Effects of Age on Dual-Task Walking While Listening.

Nieborowska V, Lau ST, Campos J, Pichora-Fuller MK, Novak A, Li KZH

Journal of motor behavior2019

DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2018.1498318 PMID: 30239280

05

Evaluation of the Keeogo exoskeleton for assisting ambulatory activities in people with multiple sclerosis: an open-label, randomized, cross-over trial.

McGibbon CA, Sexton A, Jayaraman A, Deems-Dluhy S, Gryfe P, Novak A, Dutta T, Fabara E, Adans-Dester C, Bonato P

Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation2018

DOI: 10.1186/s12984-018-0468-6 PMID: 30541585

06

Slip resistance of winter footwear on snow and ice measured using maximum achievable incline.

Hsu J, Shaw R, Novak A, Li Y, Ormerod M, Newton R, Dutta T, Fernie G

Ergonomics2016

DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2015.1084051 PMID: 26555738

Safer Bathrooms - Creating the evidence base for policies, products and clinical strategies to prevent slips and improve mobility

Nominated PICIHR2021Project Grant

Principal investigators: Novak, Alison

Keywords: Accessibility; Aging-In-Place; Biomechanics; Design Standards; Ergonomics; Fall Prevention; Mobility; Movement Control; Occupational Therapy; Public Health

$554,624

Summer Program in Aging 2019

SupervisorCIHR2019Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Principal investigators: Greene, Rebecca M

Keywords: Summer Program In Aging 2019

Redesigning street crossings for increased accessibility and safety in a four-season Canadian climate

Nominated PICIHR2018Project Grant

Principal investigators: Novak, Alison

Keywords: Built Environment; Community Accessibility; Fall Prevention; Inclusive Design; Mobility; Physical Activity; Public Health

$432,226

Developing evidence-based recommendations to prevent falls and improve safety during bathing transfers

Nominated PICIHR2018Project Grant

Principal investigators: Novak, Alison

Keywords: Accessibility; Aging-In-Place; Biomechanics; Ergonomics; Fall Prevention; Mobility; Movement Control; Occupational Therapy; Public Health

$451,350

Increasing safe mobility of older Canadian pedestrians and drivers

Co-investigatorCIHR2015Foundation Grant

Principal investigators: Fernie, Geoffrey R

Keywords: Accidents; Aging; Driving; Environmental Factors; Falls; Mobility; Safety; Walking

$1,932,120

Developing evidence for more effective handrail design to prevent falls and inform changes in the Canada Building Code

Nominated PICIHR2015Operating Grant

Principal investigators: Novak, Alison

Keywords: Accessible Environments; Aging; Biomechanics; Building Standards; Ergonomics; Falls Prevention; Mobility; Universal Design

$404,139

Preventing falls on stairs: step geometry and the biomechanical risk factors in older adults with and without mobility impairment

Co-investigatorCIHR2013Operating Grant

Principal investigators: Fernie, Geoffrey R

Keywords: Accessible Environments; Aging; Biomechanics; Building Standards; Ergonomics; Falls Prevention; Mobility; Motion Analysis; Stair Safety; Universal Design

$308,895

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Frequent collaborators

Research
Department of Physical Therapy
Psychology
Other

Co-authors at University of Toronto, colored by department. Thicker lines mean more shared papers; select anyone to open their profile and their own map.

Avril Mansfield

Department of Physical Therapy

2 shared papers, latest 2026

Luc Tremblay

Faculty

1 shared papers, latest 2026

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their CIHR grant from 2021

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Mobility Dear Professor Novak, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Determining perception thresholds of young adults to small continuous moving platform perturbations." (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your CIHR-funded project "Safer Bathrooms - Creating the evidence base for policies, products and clinical strategies to prevent slips and improve mobility" (2021), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]

Alison Novak

Research

Latest papers

Latest funding

Determining perception thresholds of young adults to small continuous moving platform perturbations.

Effect of using of a lower-extremity exoskeleton on disability of people with multiple sclerosis.

Does increased gait variability improve stability when faced with an expected balance perturbation during treadmill walking?

Effects of Age on Dual-Task Walking While Listening.

Evaluation of the Keeogo exoskeleton for assisting ambulatory activities in people with multiple sclerosis: an open-label, randomized, cross-over trial.

Slip resistance of winter footwear on snow and ice measured using maximum achievable incline.

Safer Bathrooms - Creating the evidence base for policies, products and clinical strategies to prevent slips and improve mobility

Summer Program in Aging 2019

Redesigning street crossings for increased accessibility and safety in a four-season Canadian climate

Developing evidence-based recommendations to prevent falls and improve safety during bathing transfers

Increasing safe mobility of older Canadian pedestrians and drivers

Developing evidence for more effective handrail design to prevent falls and inform changes in the Canada Building Code

Preventing falls on stairs: step geometry and the biomechanical risk factors in older adults with and without mobility impairment

Frequent collaborators

Tilak Dutta

Avril Mansfield

Jennifer Campos

Jennifer Campos

Luc Tremblay