Award-winning autism researcher says interdisciplinary teamwork is more effective for getting results into practice.
(Edmonton) For Lori Sacrey, the most rewarding thing about research is seeing results in action.
Sacrey is a post-doctoral fellow working with Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, professor and director of autism research in the University of Alberta's Department of Pediatrics; she is also this year's recipient of the TD Studentship for interdisciplinary research. The $10,000 grant is awarded annually by the U of A's Health Sciences Council to a student who has an active role with an interdisciplinary health research team, who will be taking part in a health research project and who demonstrates a strong interest and potential to excel in interdisciplinary health research.
Sacrey is no stranger to awards. In 2012 she won the Governor General's Gold Medal for her PhD research with Ian Wishaw at the University of Lethbridge. In the past decade she has won numerous awards, grants and scholarships, including a fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and several scholarships from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
What drives Sacrey, though, is seeing the results of her work applied in clinical settings-which is why an interdisciplinary approach works for her.
In her current research, an interdisciplinary team provides the expertise needed to turn research findings into clinical interventions much faster than would otherwise be possible.
"My research is looking at the linkages between motor skill and cognitive development in very young children who are at high risk for a diagnosis on the autism spectrum," says Sacrey.
Using data collected through the Infant Sibling Study, Sacrey is looking for early motor-skill deficiencies in children as young as six months, much earlier than current ASD diagnoses are commonly made. The study tracks the development of the siblings of children who have been diagnosed, usually at close to three years of age. Because the siblings of children on the autism spectrum have a high risk of being diagnosed later in life, this study may pinpoint very early indicators. Sacrey's research is looking particularly at atypical reaching and grasping behaviour in infants. She theorizes that an early intervention could improve both motor skills and, possibly, cognitive outcomes for these children.
"My work focuses on neuroscience, and possible links between what is happening in the brain and what is happening with motor skills." she says. "But I don't have the education or the expertise to translate my observations into helpful interventions. Working with this large, interdisciplinary team means I have the advantage of many skills and perspectives. It would take me years to learn what an occupational therapist knows, for example. Having an occupational therapist working with the team means interventions can be designed and put to the test much, much sooner."
In the health sciences, interdisciplinary research could include medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, nutrition, physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychology, to name just a few.
Sacrey's team was custom-built for her research: clinical psychologist, pediatrician, occupational therapist, neuroscientist, psychometrist, speech language pathologist, nurses, social worker and research assistants. The specific skills of each discipline are critical, but the cumulative impact is immeasurable.
Sacrey's work could result in therapies that have a profound impact on the lives of people on the autism spectrum. Her findings will lead to other research questions that help us better understand the connection between cognitive and motor skill development.
"The Health Sciences Council Board is committed to finding new and innovative ways to encourage and promote this kind of forward-thinking project," says Doug Miller, chair of the Health Sciences Council Board. "When we can break down the silos between disciplines, we open a whole world of possibilities for creative thinking. Collaboration not only drives research itself, but also helps us bridge the gap between research and practice. We are very pleased to support Dr. Sacrey's work through the TD studentship."
The Health Sciences Council facilitates and directs interdisciplinary learning, discovery and citizenship through leadership and collaboration across all health disciplines.
(Edmonton) For Lori Sacrey, the most rewarding thing about research is seeing results in action.
Sacrey is a post-doctoral fellow working with Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, professor and director of autism research in the University of Alberta's Department of Pediatrics; she is also this year's recipient of the TD Studentship for interdisciplinary research. The $10,000 grant is awarded annually by the U of A's Health Sciences Council to a student who has an active role with an interdisciplinary health research team, who will be taking part in a health research project and who demonstrates a strong interest and potential to excel in interdisciplinary health research.
Sacrey is no stranger to awards. In 2012 she won the Governor General's Gold Medal for her PhD research with Ian Wishaw at the University of Lethbridge. In the past decade she has won numerous awards, grants and scholarships, including a fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and several scholarships from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
What drives Sacrey, though, is seeing the results of her work applied in clinical settings-which is why an interdisciplinary approach works for her.
In her current research, an interdisciplinary team provides the expertise needed to turn research findings into clinical interventions much faster than would otherwise be possible.
"My research is looking at the linkages between motor skill and cognitive development in very young children who are at high risk for a diagnosis on the autism spectrum," says Sacrey.
Using data collected through the Infant Sibling Study, Sacrey is looking for early motor-skill deficiencies in children as young as six months, much earlier than current ASD diagnoses are commonly made. The study tracks the development of the siblings of children who have been diagnosed, usually at close to three years of age. Because the siblings of children on the autism spectrum have a high risk of being diagnosed later in life, this study may pinpoint very early indicators. Sacrey's research is looking particularly at atypical reaching and grasping behaviour in infants. She theorizes that an early intervention could improve both motor skills and, possibly, cognitive outcomes for these children.
"My work focuses on neuroscience, and possible links between what is happening in the brain and what is happening with motor skills." she says. "But I don't have the education or the expertise to translate my observations into helpful interventions. Working with this large, interdisciplinary team means I have the advantage of many skills and perspectives. It would take me years to learn what an occupational therapist knows, for example. Having an occupational therapist working with the team means interventions can be designed and put to the test much, much sooner."
In the health sciences, interdisciplinary research could include medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, nutrition, physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychology, to name just a few.
Sacrey's team was custom-built for her research: clinical psychologist, pediatrician, occupational therapist, neuroscientist, psychometrist, speech language pathologist, nurses, social worker and research assistants. The specific skills of each discipline are critical, but the cumulative impact is immeasurable.
Sacrey's work could result in therapies that have a profound impact on the lives of people on the autism spectrum. Her findings will lead to other research questions that help us better understand the connection between cognitive and motor skill development.
"The Health Sciences Council Board is committed to finding new and innovative ways to encourage and promote this kind of forward-thinking project," says Doug Miller, chair of the Health Sciences Council Board. "When we can break down the silos between disciplines, we open a whole world of possibilities for creative thinking. Collaboration not only drives research itself, but also helps us bridge the gap between research and practice. We are very pleased to support Dr. Sacrey's work through the TD studentship."
The Health Sciences Council facilitates and directs interdisciplinary learning, discovery and citizenship through leadership and collaboration across all health disciplines.