We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Hyosub Kim and Dr. Michael Koehle, have been awarded the 2025 NSERC Discovery Grants. Their research tackle critical challenges in human health, performance, and the environment. Learn more about their research below.
Dr. Hyosub Kim – Computational Principles of Motor Skill
Dr. Kim and the CCM Lab
Dr. Hyosub Kim leads the Computation, Cognition, and Movement Lab (CCM Lab), where his research seeks to shed light on the complex computations underlying the motor skills we rely on every day—from the simple act of picking up a coffee cup without spilling its contents, to the intricate control needed for high-performance athletics.
Although frequently taken for granted, these types of motor skills involve an incredibly complex series of computations that are performed seamlessly by the neurologically intact brain. With the support of NSERC, Dr. Kim and his team will continue developing mathematical models to explain how humans acquire and adapt complex motor skills. These models are tested through behavioural experiments, involving participants playing interactive computer-based games.
Beyond advancing our fundamental knowledge of human movement, this research holds promise for developing brain-machine interfaces and personalized rehabilitation interventions for individuals with neurological impairments.
Dr. Michael Koehle – Enhancing Exchange Between Atmospheric Chemistry and Kinesiology to Investigate the Interaction between Air Pollution and Exercise
As climate change drives more frequent wildfires and extreme heat events, our exposure to air pollution is intensifying—especially for those who work or exercise outdoors. Dr. Michael Koehle’s interdisciplinary research addresses this growing health concern by examining how air pollution affects human performance during physical activity.
With the set up illustrated above, researchers and students in the Department of Chemistry can create more representative mixtures of pollutants which can then be brought to the exposure system for researchers (Dr. Michael Koehle, Dr. Bill Sheel, and PhD student Aidan Comeau) and students in the School of Kinesiology and Faculty of Medicine to conduct detailed exposure studies in humans during work and exercise. Likewise, gases, liquids and mixtures produced during human work or exercise can be collected in the exposure laboratory and brought to the chemistry laboratory for analysis.
This type of research allows us to better understand and to mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on health and performance during exercise.