Research Groups and Areas

The main research theme of the RIU is clinical integrative physiology, which encompasses the study of the origin of respiratory symptoms in health (pregnancy, obesity, the elderly) and in cardio-pulmonary diseases; mechanisms and management of dyspnea (breathlessness) in COPD and in asthma; and exercise pathophysiology and dynamic ventilatory mechanics in cardio-pulmonary diseases. The RIU consists of 2 exercise laboratories and a dyspnea lab where we study the psychophysics of respiratory sensation by measuring stimulus-response relations during chemical and mechanical loading in healthy study participants. Training: Currently 2 PhD candidates, 2 MD research fellows and 1 Physical Education student. Staff: 2 full-time research associates. Clinical trials: The RIU is currently the lead site in 4 multi-centre trials in COPD.