McCaig Research Day
Join us Wednesday, May 14, 2025 as we showcase the musculoskeletal research by our trainees at the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health
Join us for the 2025 McCaig Research Day
Join us for the 2025 McCaig Research Day on May 14, 2025 in the Theatre 4 and the HRIC Atrium. Discover the latest musculoskeletal research with guest speaker Dr. Thilo Pfau, PhD, University of Calgary, trainee podium presentations, teaser talks and posters.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the forefront of bone and joint science and a day of collegiate networking and refreshments.
Abstract Submission Deadline: April 11, 2025
Registration Deadline: May 2, 2025
2025 Research Day Agenda
Agenda subject to change. Scroll down to learn more about the speakers for this year's event.
| Time | What's on the Schedule | ||
| 8:00am | Registration/Coffee & Snacks | ||
| 8:25am | Opening Remarks: Dr. Cheryl Barnabe, Director | ||
| 8:30am | Invited Speaker: Dr. Thilo Pfau, PhD, University of Calgary | ||
| 9:30am | Podium Talks | ||
| 10:30am | Break | ||
| 10:45am | Poster Teaser Talks | ||
| 11:25am | Podium Talks | ||
| 12:00pm | Lunch, Poster Session, Headshots and Poster Passport Challenge | ||
| 1:30pm | Podium Talks | ||
| 2:45pm | Break | ||
| 3:00pm | Podium Talks | ||
| 4:00pm | Judging Break | ||
| 4:10pm | Awards Ceremony and Closing Remarks | ||
| 4:30pm | Research Day ends |
2025 Guest Speaker
Dr. Thilo Pfau, PhD
Topic title:
Aiding veterinary decision making and preventing injuries in horses with wearables
Biography:
Thilo graduated in Information Technology from the Technical University in Munich (TUM), Germany. In 1996 and joined the Institute for Human-Machine-Communication at TUM and undertook a PhD in automated speech recognition. He then joined the International Computer Science Institute (ICSI) in Berkeley, California for a postdoctoral position.
In 2002, he moved to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London, United Kingdom joining the Structure and Motion Lab undertaking research in animal locomotor biomechanics first studying some fundamental characteristics of quadrupedal locomotion before then focusing on applied questions around lameness detection in cows and horses.
In 2008, he joined the department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the RVC firmly moving into the field of applied locomotor biomechanics utilizing traditional (3D motion capture, force platforms) and emerging (inertial sensors) techniques for quantifying gait deficits in horses with a particular focus on movement symmetry for the clinical investigation of lameness and poor performance while at the same time developing a research theme in applied research in (Thoroughbred) racehorses with an interest in movement symmetry for optimizing performance and minimizing injuries.
In 2021, Thilo and his family moved to Calgary where he joined the Faculty of Kinesiology with a joint appointment in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He is continuing to enjoy his work in the field of applied animal locomotor biomechanics with funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation, the Horsetrust, the Morris Animal Foundation, the Foundation for the Horse and Horseracing Alberta. Current interests cover areas such as back movement in Quarter Horses and the optimization of racing surfaces for Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds and Quarter Horses as well as for Chuckwagon racing at the Calgary Stampede using wearable technology for measuring stride parameters during racing.