Media releases

• Brock teams up with Toronto Blue Jays to develop future sport leaders

  Wednesday, February 05, 2020 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 5 February 2020 – R0025

  For Evan Gwartz, working for the Toronto Blue Jays means being a part of a learning culture that encourages professional and leadership development.

  “Our motto is, ‘Get better every day,’” says Gwartz (BSM ’15, MA ’17). “Our leaders always encourage us to contribute and share ideas.”

  Gwartz, who is the Co-ordinator, Client Services — Executive Suites for the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club, is returning to campus Thursday, Feb. 6 for the eighth annual Department of Sport Management (SPMA) Alumni Day.

  “It is very empowering to work in such a respectful environment and I look forward to being able to share and connect with Brock Sport Management students,” he says.

  Representing the Toronto Blue Jays Leadership Development Program (LDP) in collaboration with the department’s Student Council, Gwartz will provide students with the opportunity to experience what it’s like to work on a Blue Jays project through the second annual SPMA student case competition that is a part of the Alumni Day agenda.

  It’s an opportunity for SPMA students to pitch proposed solutions to a real-world problem, showcasing what they’ve learned in the classroom and tips they’ve picked up while working in the field.

  This year’s competition gives students three days to develop a solution to a scenario presented by the Toronto Blue Jays LDP, a 12-month opportunity for top talent to develop their professional skill set, including leadership skills, while contributing to shaping the Blue Jays culture.

  “The intent of this case competition scenario is to create an environment where students experience working on a project that participants of the Blue Jays LDP would be a part of,” Gwartz says. “Everyone who works at Rogers Centre contributes to solving problems and achieving our business goals, and for an afternoon these competitors will too.”

  The top teams will be selected for a 10- to 15-minute presentation about their case analysis to a panel of judges comprised of Blue Jays staff and Sport Management faculty and alumni.

  “I value our organization’s learning culture,” says Gwartz. “Our leaders share with us and encourage us to contribute. Even if something doesn’t click, they still want to hear from us. This competition connects with our program and is really about the process, learning and thinking critically about organizational issues.”

  While a master’s student at Brock, Gwartz focused his research on organizational leadership and management of purpose and core values in a professional sport organization.

  “I have studied how leaders can create a special type of culture,” he says. “After I completed my master’s at Brock University, I was accepted into the Toronto Blue Jays LDP. As soon as I interviewed for the program, I recognized the Jays had the culture I was looking for.”

  Gwartz, who grew up St. Catharines, says he’s excited about returning to campus.

  “I am most looking forward to connecting with the students who remind me of my own creative ambitions and energy,” says Gwartz. “They have a fresh perspective and I work in a department where if a great idea comes up, we will take it and develop it if it will help our business. I feel very grateful to be fulfilling my aspiration of working in professional sports and am excited to promote these opportunities with students who may have similar dreams.”

  The winning team will receive a prize package which includes a unique Blue Jays experience, including tickets to a Blue Jays game, a personal tour of the Rogers Centre led by Gwartz and the chance to be on the field during pre-game batting practice.

  More information on SPMA Alumni Day and a full schedule of panelists is available on the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences website.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected], 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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  Categories: Media releases

• Participants needed for study on robotic rehab for multiple sclerosis

  Monday, February 03, 2020 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 3 February 2020 – R0024

  Kailynn Mannella’s dream is that one day every rehabilitation centre will have a robot delivering treatment to people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions where the loss of limb function can severely impact daily life.

  But not just any robot will do.

  The Brock University master’s student is particularly keen about her lab’s ‘wristbot,’ a made-to-order haptic device used to study arm and wrist biomechanics and motor control.

  The only one of its kind in a Canadian university, Brock University’s wristbot can be used as a therapy tool to strengthen forearm muscles and improve neural control of the hand.

  Mannella wants to know if and how the wristbot could be an effective rehabilitation strategy for people living with MS and is calling for participants to get involved in this research.

  “We’re looking for anyone living with multiple sclerosis with any level of the disease, who is experiencing some sort of disability with their upper arm,” she says.

  Participants in the study undergo three, 35-minute sessions each week for six weeks. During the sessions, participants will be asked to trace an image with their hand using the wristbot. It is similar to a video game, but the robot adapts to the individual’s performance, providing assistance when needed.

  “We’re trying to get as many people involved in the study as we can,” says Mannella. “If people are in remission, we’ll still accept them.”

  The research team will evaluate biomechanical and functional changes throughout the weeks of training. These include wrist and grip strength, muscle activation and co-ordination.

  Rehabilitation robotics is becoming a widely studied and adopted form of therapy. It allows for delivery of a high dosage of exercise that can lead to strengthening and overall improvement in upper limb function.

  “The goal of the research is to improve hand functionality through the creation of a progressive training program — through the use of a robotic device — that would strengthen the forearm and wrist of people living with MS,” says Mannella.

  Mannella’s supervisor is Associate Professor of Kinesiology Michael Holmes, Canada Research Chair in Neuromuscular Mechanics and Ergonomics. He examines how the brain and nervous system generates muscle activity to coordinate complex hand movements.

  “To date, our work has focused on understanding hand and upper extremity function in healthy individuals,” says Holmes. “I always envisioned the wristbot would one day be used in populations with neurological impairments and Kailynn has been the driving force behind this happening. Her passion to improve the lives of people living with MS has led to this very important work.”

  The focus on MS is particularly relevant for Canadians. A 2018 Statistics Canada report says the prevalence of MS among Canadians may be one of the highest in the world.

  Participants of all ages are needed, and travel and parking costs will be reimbursed.

  Those wishing to participate in the study should contact Kailynn Mannella at [email protected]

  The wristbot used in the study was built by the Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences research team at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT). Resembling a joystick, the wristbot allows Holmes’ team to examine how the forearm muscles control the hand, especially when encountering resistance and sudden, unexpected disturbances

  This research, and the wristbot, are part of Holmes’ Neuromechanics and Ergonomics Lab. Funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the lab features more than $150,000 in state-of-the-art biomechanics, neurophysiology and ergonomics equipment including motion capture cameras, robotics, brain stimulation and electromyography.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected], 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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  Categories: Media releases