Our vision is to foster a training environment for CCNA members and trainees with the goal of building the next generation of researchers working on brain health and cognitive impairment in aging.

Program Objectives:

• To foster the development of “core” intellectual competencies and professional skills
• To provide funding support to conduct research projects that align with the CCNA themes including the prevention and treatment of age-related neurodegenerative diseases and quality of life for persons with dementia and their caregivers.
• To foster collaboration between trainees and scientists.

The Training & Capacity Building Program Team

Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso

Program Lead (April 2021 – Present)

Manuel Montero-Odasso is a Professor in the Departments of Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Western Ontario and Director of the “Gait & Brain Lab” at Parkwood Institute, London, Ontario. He is a geriatrician and clinician-scientist at the Lawson Health Research Institute and serves as team leader at the CCNA and team co-leader at the Ontario Neurodegenerative Research Initiative (ONDRI).

He leads the Gait and Brain Health Program with the goal of understanding mechanisms and potential treatments of mobility and cognitive decline in older individuals. He focuses on gait performance and has established the use of “motor biomarkers” like slowing gait and dual-task gait to predict frailty, falls, and dementia in older people. He has initiated clinical trials applying the novel approach of “improving cognition to improve mobility” using pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches such as physical exercise, cognitive training and non-invasive brain stimulation. As team leader in CCNA (Canada Research Dementia Strategy), he is focusing in multi-domain clinical trials, including the SYNERGIC Trial (www.synergictrial.com), to delay dementia in older adults at risk (MCI spectrum) using physical exercises combined with cognitive training, and nutritional interventions (Vitamin D).

Kelly Baines

Program Coordinator

Kelly Baines holds a PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the University of Western Ontario. With a strong background spanning stem-cell and animal research to clinical studies and trials, she brings both breadth and depth to her work. Kelly’s unique expertise and collaborative approach make her an valuable part of the team.

Lauren Bechard

Trainee Society Chair/Program Consultant  

Lauren is completing her doctoral research with Dr. Laura Middleton (CCNA Team 14) at the University of Waterloo, investigating how physical activity and other lifestyle factors can support living well with dementia. Lauren has supported the CCNA Training and Capacity Building program since 2018 in various roles to advance trainee engagement and development in the CCNA. As a Program Assistant, Lauren is supporting the Training Program in completing special projects to develop new programming and report on program impact during CCNA Phase II.

Jackie Liu

Website/Online Module Developer

Jackie obtained her Bachelor’s (BMSc) in Honors Specialization in Interdisciplinary Medical Science at Western University in 2022, and she is currently enrolling in the Entry to Practice Doctor of Pharmacy program (PharmD) at the University of Alberta. She will be responsible for the development and regulation of the Gait and Brain, World Falls Guideline, SYNERGIC-2, and the BHCare websites. She will also help with the media relation aspect within the lab.

Partner Acknowledgement

T&CB Program would like to acknowledge our funding partners, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research including the Institute of Indigenous People’s Health, and the Canadian Nurses Foundation.