Principal Investigator
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
Affiliated Investigator, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute
Research Interests
Cardiovascular health; Fainting; High altitudeIn addition to the well-known motor and sensory consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI), cardiovascular pathways can also be affected, which can cause life-threatening problems in cardiovascular control. In fact, a leading cause of mortality in SCI patients is cardiovascular disease. Through her research, Dr. Claydon hopes to shed light on the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular dysfunction after SCI.
Dr. Claydon also studies the patterns of cardiovascular adaptation that occur in response to permanent residence at high altitude. These studies have important implications for the millions of people who live and work at high altitude.
Another area of interest concerns the mechanisms underlying fainting spells, where affected individuals experience unexplained loss of consciousness, and their optimal treatment and management.
Dr. Claydon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. She is also a Principal Investigator at ICORD.
Affiliation with organizations and societies:
- American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)
- American Autonomic Society
- Physiological Society
Awards
Some of Dr. Claydon’s recent major awards and accomplishments include:
- Travel Award (Physiological Society, 2011)
- New Investigator Award (Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, 2009)
- Best Paper Award for Excellence in Spinal Cord Injury (ASIA, 2006)
- Best Poster Award (American Paraplegia Society, 2005)
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship (Rick Hansen Man in Motion Research Foundation, 2005)
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship (National Health Services, 2001)
Current Lab Members
| M.Sc. Students | Ph.D. Students | Research Staff |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Lloyd | Vera-Ellen Lucci | Maureen McGrath |
| Brooke Hockin | Janelle Pennington |
Recent graduates include: Clare Protheroe (M.Sc.), Inderjeet Sahota (M.Sc.), Brett Shaw (M.Sc.), and Rianne Ravensbergen (Ph.D.), Kimiya Sabbaghan (B.Sc. Hons), Lindsay Ward (B.Sc. Hons), Anastasia Dikareva (B.Sc. Hons), Brett Shaw (B.Sc. Hons), Clare Protheroe (B.Sc. Hons).
Trainee Awards
| Year | Name | Award |
| 2014 | Jessica Inskip |
|
| Kimiya Sabbaghan | Poster Presentation Award at the Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology 6th Annual Research Day (Simon Fraser University) | |
| 2013 | Jessica Inskip |
|
| 2012 | Jessica Inskip |
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| Rianne Ravensbergen |
|
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| Brett Shaw |
|
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| 2010 | Anastasia Dikareva | Best Poster by an undergraduate student (Disabilities Health Research Network) |
| Jessica Inskip |
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| Indejeet Sahota | Best poster by a master’s student (Disabilities Health Research Network) | |
| 2009 | Inderjeet Sahota | Graduate Fellowship (Simon Fraser University) |
Current Opportunities in the Lab
Dr. Claydon is actively seeking graduate trainees at both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. levels. Please contact Dr. Claydon with inquiries.
Funding
Dr. Claydon’s research program is supported by funding from the following agencies:
Funding has also been provided from an ICORD Seed Grant made possible with the support of the Rick Hansen Foundation, ICORD and the BICP.
Recent publications
- Hockin, BCD, Ruiz, IA, Brar, GK, Claydon, VE. 2019. Intermittent calf compression reverses lower limb pooling and improves cardiovascular control during passive orthostasis.. Auton Neurosci. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2018.12.004.
- Tester, MA et al.. 2018. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with an episode of reflex syncope: Is this the needle in the haystack?. HeartRhythm Case Rep. doi: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2018.07.013.
- Kirkham, AA et al.. 2019. A Longitudinal Study of the Association of Clinical Indices of Cardiovascular Autonomic Function with Breast Cancer Treatment and Exercise Training.. Oncologist. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2018-0049.
- Guan, L, Collet, JP, Mazowita, G, Claydon, VE. 2018. Autonomic Nervous System and Stress to Predict Secondary Ischemic Events after Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke: Possible Implications of Heart Rate Variability.. Front Neurol. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00090.
- Inskip, JA, Lucci, VM, McGrath, MS, Willms, R, Claydon, VE. 2018. A Community Perspective on Bowel Management and Quality of Life after Spinal Cord Injury: The Influence of Autonomic Dysreflexia.. J. Neurotrauma. doi: 10.1089/neu.2017.5343.