Team

Principal Investigator

Dr. Andrews Tawiah

Assistant Professor, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences — Western University

Andrews is an educational researcher and a teaching scholar. His research focuses on the application of AI in health professions education and the development/evaluation of competencies for advanced practitioners. He has been awarded a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) postdoctoral Fellowship and a CIHR Planning and Dissemination Grant. He holds a Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) GenAI Fellowship at Western University. He teaches in the Advanced Health Care Practice and Physical Therapy Master’s programs at Western. He has led the development of the global competency framework and the pan-Canadian Framework for Advanced Practice Physiotherapy. 

Postdoctoral Fellowship (Queen’s University, Canada)
PhD Rehabilitation Science (University of Alberta, Canada)
MSc Health and Rehabilitation (University of Southampton, UK)
BSc Physiotherapy (University of Ghana, Ghana)

GenAI Teaching Fellow – Western University 
CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship
Queen’s Postdoctoral Fellowship
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Scheme

APPLHSCI Capstone Experience 
AHCP Education and Leadership
PT Management and Leadership
APPLHSCI Qualitative Research Method – Applications in Practice

Phone: 519-661-2111 ext. 88789
Email: andrews.tawiah@uwo.ca
Address: School of Physical Therapy, Elborne College 1201 Western Road London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1H1

Research Staff

Sukhvershjit Aulakh, MSc

Research Assistant

Sukh is a research assistant with a background in Chemical Biology and Biochemistry. At the Advanced Practice and AI Lab, he is contributing to a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in neurorehabilitation for patients after stroke. His current work focuses on reviewing and analyzing evidence from randomized controlled trials to better understand the impact of AI-based interventions on post-stroke recovery. He is interested in advancing evidence-based insights that inform the integration of AI technologies in clinical rehabilitation practice.

Sonali Roy, MDS

Research Assistant

Sonali Roy is a research assistant with a background in health sciences, specializing in patient-centered approaches and clinical research. At Dr. Andrews’ lab, she contributes to a generative AI initiative in physical therapy and is involved in a qualitative study examining barriers to healthcare access among unattached patients. Her work focuses on comprehensive research coordination, including protocol development, regulatory compliance, and study implementation, as well as the interpretation, analysis, and synthesis of qualitative data. Through her work, Sonali is committed to advancing evidence-based practices and fostering innovation at the intersection of healthcare and technology.

Current Trainees

Oyindolapo Komolaf

PhD Student, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Collaborative Specialization in Machine Learning in Health and Biomedical Sciences)

Co-supervisor: Dr. Dave Walton

Oyindolapo is a results-driven full stack ML engineer with a passion for solving complex problems and driving revenue growth. Currently pursuing a PhD at Western University and a KaggleX Fellow, Oyindolapo has over 10 years of experience across various sectors including Oil & Gas, media, FinTech, and IT. Her expertise spans software development, process automation, research, training, and business analysis. In her free time, she enjoys training others in Python and Data Science. Visit Smart Solutaris to explore the services she offers.

David Adeley

MSc Student, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Co-supervisor: Dr. Alison Rushton

David Adeleye is a Black student-athlete and accomplished hurdler on the varsity track and field team, currently pursuing a master’s in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University. With a strong academic foundation from his bachelor’s in Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto, David has made significant strides in both athletics and research. He represented Team Canada at the NACAC Championships in 2023, earned the prestigious Silver T award for exceptional athletic performance in his graduating year, placed second in the 100m hurdles at Canadian Nationals, and won a silver medal at the 2022 Canada Summer Games. Under the guidance of Dr. Andrews Tawiah and Dr. Alison Rushton, David is interested in exploring the integration of GenAI in physiotherapy. Looking ahead, David is passionate about pursuing a career in physiotherapy. By combining his academic expertise, athletic experience, and future professional training, David aims to make a meaningful impact in the field of rehabilitation and healthcare.

Previous Trainees

Jasmin was a graduate student in the Master of Applied Health Sciences program at Western University. She previously completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) at Ontario Tech University, where she conducted her fourth-year practicum on Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and their role in the management of type 2 diabetes. Jasmin’s capstone project was a scoping review examining the relationship between smoking and oral health among Canadian adults, with the goal of informing prevention and health promotion strategies in dental care. She was particularly interested in chronic disease prevention, health equity, and interdisciplinary approaches to primary care. Jasmin aspires to pursue a career in family medicine.

Natalie was a Masters of Health Science student studying Health Equity and Sustainability at Western University. Prior to attending Western University, she completed an Honours Bachelors of Science at the University of Toronto double majoring in Global Health and Psychology. She was working with the Muslim Recourse Center for Social Support and Integration to research intervention and prevention strategies for gendered-Islamophobia. She researched the health and social affects of gendered-Islamophobia, a form of radicalized gender-based violence, through intersectional and health equity lenses.

Tracy Furst was a pediatric hospital pharmacist in Winnipeg for nearly 20 years, with the majority of her career in the Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. Tracy was enrolled in the Health Equity and Sustainability field of the Advanced Health Care Practice master’s program; her capstone project provided a first learning opportunity in systematic review and meta-analysis.

Project: Views and perceptions of advanced practice physiotherapy among physiotherapists in developing countries — Protocol for a cross-sectional survey.

Project: The impact of competency-based education on advanced practice physiotherapist — Protocol for a systematic review.

Project: The impact of competency-based education on advanced practice nurses — Protocol for a systematic review.

Project: The impact of Generative AI on Health Sciences Program — Protocol for systematic review.

Project: The perception of faculty and students on integrating GenAI into the academic curriculum — Protocol for a cross-sectional survey.

Project: Identifying Key Factors Influencing Patient Preferences for Choosing a Suitable Toothpaste: A Survey-Based Study.

Project: Understanding Access to Primary Care for Unattached Patients: Perspectives from Healthcare Leaders and Clinicians in Victoria and Toronto.