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Bolivia 2024 - High Altitude Expedition
PIs: Drs. Richard Wilson and Trevor Day
This project was my second high-altitude research expedition and first trip to the Andes. Bolivia 2024 focused on acclimatization and physiological adaptation, examining how the human body changes over 10 days at high altitude.
Our international research team completed baseline testing at Mount Royal University in Calgary before traveling to La Paz, Bolivia, for high-altitude data collection. We were generously hosted by Dr. Gustavo Zubieta-Calleja at the High Altitude Pulmonary and Pathology Institute (HAPPI–IPPA).
Ahuja M, Dickenson JA, Peters RM, Zubieta-Calleja G, Wilson RJA, Day TA, Strzalkowski NDJ. High altitude acclimitization modifies standing balance and vestibular-evoked postural responses. (In preparation)
Bushfield NV, Mackenzie BWL, Johnson NA, Isakovich R, Keess JL, Strzalkowski NDJ, Zubieta-Calleja G, Wilson RJA, Day TA. Daytime Ventilatory and Blood Acid-Base Responses during Ascent to 3,500m are Larger and More Rapid in Females than Males. (Submitted)
Video The Tower of Science
Nepal 2023 - High Altitude Expedition
PIs: Drs. Tom Brutsaert, Abigail Bigham, and Trevor Day
Nepal 2023 was an international high-altitude research expedition involving over 40 researchers, students, and participants. Testing was conducted at low altitude in Kathmandu (1,400 m) and at high altitude in Pheriche (4,300 m).
Researchers and participants, 15 lowlanders and 14 Tibetan highlanders, trekked as a single group, supported by our guides and Yaks who transported our equipment. Thank you Nima!
We reached Everest Base Camp and witnessed a Mt Everest sunrise from Kala Patthar (5,650 m).
Dickenson JA, Harman TS, Kunwar AJ, Thakur N, Dhungel S, Sherpa N, Bigham AW, Brutsaert TD, Day TA, Strzalkowski NDJ. High altitude hypoxia alters the visual control of standing balance in lowlanders and Tibetan highlanders (Submitted).
Bouten J, Kalker A, Dickenson J, Isakovich R, Mackenzie B, Strzalkowski N, Holmstrom P, Harman T, Kunwar A, Thakur N, Dhungel S, Sherpa N, Bigham A, Brutsaert T, Day T. Hemoglobin mass and plasma volume responses are not different between lowlanders and Tibetan highlanders during early acclimatization to 4,300 m. (Submitted)
Dickenson JA, Debenham MIB, Dalton BH, Harman TS, Kunwar AJ, Thakur N, Dhungel S, Sherpa N, Bigham AW, Brutsaert TD, Day TA, Strzalkowski NDJ. Vestibular-evoked balance responses are blunted in lowlanders and Tibetan highlanders with ascent to 4,300 m. (2025) Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 50:1-10
Bushfield NV, Johnson N, Dickenson J, Mackenzie BWL, Isakovich R, Kalker A, Bouten J, Strzalkowski N, Harman T, Holmstrom P, Kunwar A, Thakur N, Dhungel S, Sherpa N, Bigham A, Brutsaert T, Day T. No Altitude Required: Differential ventilatory and blood acid-base homeostasis between unacclimatized lowlanders and Tibetan highlanders at 1,400 m (2025) Journal of Applied Physiology
Dickenson JA, Harman TS, Kunwar AJ, Thakur N, Dhungel S, Sherpa N, Bigham AW, Brutsaert TD, Day TA, Strzalkowski NDJ. Incremental ascent to 4,300 m does not alter standing balance in lowlanders or Tibetan highlanders. (2025). European Journal of Applied Physiology
Johnson NA, Dickenson JA, Mackenzie BWL, Isakovich R, Kalker A, Bouten J, Strzalkowski NDJ, Harman TS, Holmstrom P, Kunwar AJ, Thakur N, Dhungel A, Sherpa N, Bigham AW, Brutsaert TD, Day TA. Comparing integrative ventilatory and renal acid-base acclimatization in lowlanders and Tibetan highlanders during ascent to 4,300 m. (2024). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 122(1) e2412561121
HyperSole (2010-2011) - Human Space Flight
PI: Dr. Leah Bent
The Hypersole experiment examined standing balance and plantar cutaneous sensitivity in 11 astronauts before and after spaceflight. The goal of the study was to better understand how changes in foot sole sensory input relate to postural control following exposure to microgravity.
As a graduate student at the University of Guelph, I had the privilege of collaborating with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA on this project.
Strzalkowski NDJ, Lowrey CR, Perry SD, Williams DR, Wood SJ, Bent LR. (2015). Selective weighting of cutaneous feedback and associated balance impairments following short duration space flight. Neuroscience Letters. 592:94-98
Lowrey CR, Perry SD, Strzalkowski NDJ, Williams DR, Wood SJ, Bent LR. (2014). Selective skin sensitivity changes and sensory reweighting following short-duration space flight. Journal of Applied Physiology. 116:683-69
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