Teresa Liu-Ambrose

Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD, PT, Associate Professor, is a Canada Research Chair and a physical therapist at the University of British Columbia, Department of Physical Therapy. She directs the Aging, Mobility and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (http://cogmob.rehab.med.ubc.ca) as well as the Vancouver General Hospital’s Falls Prevention Clinic (http://fallclinic.com).

Her research program focuses on defining the role of exercise to promote healthy aging, with a particular focus on cognitive and neural plasticity, as well as mobility. Various method are utilized, including randomized controlled trials, functional neuroimaging, and actigraphy,

Dr. Liu-Ambrose works collaboratively with faculty in Psychology, Neurology, Family Practice, Geriatric Medicine, and Health Care and Epidemiology. Dr. Liu-Ambrose is an investigator with the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. She also co-leads the UBC data collection site for the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

For more information on The Aging, Mobility and Cognitive Function Lab, please visit: http://cogmob.rehab.med.ubc.ca.

Training Opportunities:
Dr. Liu-Ambrose is currently accepting graduate students and post-doctoral fellows with a strong background in psychology, kinesiology, neurosciences, or computer sciences.It is highly recommended that potential trainees apply for all possible external sources of funding (e.g., MSFHR, CIHR) and contact Dr. Liu-Ambrose well in advance to these funding deadlines.Interested? Forward the following information to Dr. Liu-Ambrose:

• An updated CV
• Unofficial transcripts
• A one-page letter outlining your research experience and goals

Selected Publications
1.      Bolandzadeh N, LIU-AMBROSE T, Aizenstein H, Harris T, Launer L, Yaffe K, Kritchevsky SB, Newman A, Rosano C. Pathways Linking Focal Hyperintensities in the Brain and Slower Gait. Neuroimage, 2014; 99:7-13.

2.      Best JR, Nagamatsu LS, LIU-AMBROSE T. Improvements to executive function during resistance training predict maintenance of physical activity over the following year. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2014;8:353.

3.      ten Brinke LF, Bolandzadeh N, Nagamatsu LS, Hsu CL, Davis JC, Khan KM, LIU-AMBROSE T. Aerobic exercise increases hippocampal volume in older women with probable mild cognitive impairment: A 6-month randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2014 Apr 7. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-093184. [Epub ahead of print]

4.      Nagamatsu LS, Handy, TC, Hsu CL, Voss M, LIU-AMBROSE T. Resistance training improves cognitive and functional brain plasticity in seniors with probable MCI: A 6-month randomized controlled trial. JAMA Internal Medicine, 2012; 172(8): 666-8.

5.      Voss M, Nagamatsu LS, LIU-AMBROSE T, Kramer AF. Exercise, brain, and cognition across the lifespan. Journal of Applied Physiology, 2011; Apr 29. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 21527670.

6.      LIU-AMBROSE T, Nagamatsu LS, Voss M, Khan KM, Handy TC. Resistance training and cortical plasticity. Neurobiology of Aging, 2011; July 6. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 21741129.

7.      LIU-AMBROSE T, Nagamatsu LS, Graf P, Beattie BL, Ashe MC, Handy TC. Resistance training and executive functions: A 12-month randomized controlled trial. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2010; 170: 170-178.

Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD, PT, Professor, is a physical therapist and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Healthy Aging at the University of British Columbia, Department of Physical Therapy. She directs the Aging, Mobility and Cognitive Health Laboratory and the Vancouver General Hospital’s Falls Prevention Clinic (www.fallsclinic.ca). Dr. Liu-Ambrose is Co-Director of the Centre for Aging SMART at VCH (also known as Centre for Hip Health and Mobility).

She leads the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) Data Collection Site at UBC, the CLSA Neuroimaging Working Group, and the CLSA COVID-19 Brain Health Study. Dr. Liu-Ambrose also co-leads the CLSA Healthy Brains, Healthy Aging initiative.

Dr. Liu-Ambrose’s research focuses on understanding the role of exercise, and other lifestyle interventions, in promoting cognitive and mobility outcomes in older adults. Her research findings have been implemented into clinical practice, community programs, and international practice guidelines or recommendations to promote healthy aging.