Researchers, trainees, and alumni who contribute to ONE Lab's work and learning community.
Leadership
Current lab
Profiles reflect public, reviewed information only.
Associate Professor · Director, ONE Lab
Dr. Nick La Delfa is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Ontario Tech University and Director of the Occupational Neuromechanics and Ergonomics Laboratory. His research combines occupational biomechanics, neuromuscular science, digital human modelling, and applied ergonomics to improve proactive workplace design and prevent work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
PhD Student · Laboratory Technician
Research focus: Ryan studies neuromuscular fatigue, recovery, worker characteristics, and repetitive-work modelling. His research examines how occupational work patterns influence physical capacity and how computational models can support better decisions about task design, breaks, and job rotation.
Fatigue & Recovery
PhD Student
Research focus: Michael studies overhead-work exposure, fatigue thresholds, and assistive technologies. His work examines how task demands and worker characteristics influence acceptable overhead-work exposure and the support provided by upper-limb exoskeletons.
Applied Ergonomics
MHSc Student
Research focus: Gillian studies how repetitive-work patterns and cycle time influence shoulder fatigue during overhead work.
Fatigue & Recovery
MHSc Student
Research focus: Nolan is evaluating a prototype ergonomic gaming mouse for esports, with a focus on upper-extremity posture, muscle activity, and task performance.
Applied Ergonomics
MHSc Student
Research focus: Kirsten studies the physical exposures and ergonomics of manual massage therapy, including occupational postures, forces, repetitive demands, and musculoskeletal outcomes.
Field Ergonomics
Research Assistant
Ethan supports ongoing ONE Lab research through data collection, processing, analysis, and laboratory activities.
Joining soon
Incoming · September 2026
Incoming Master's Student
Bita will join ONE Lab as a master's student in September 2026. Her research focus will be added as her project is finalized.
Alumni
13 former graduate researchers and postdoctoral fellows.
Research area: Effect of mental fatigue on occupational and sport performance
Thesis: The effect of supra-maximal reach distance on manual arm strength
Thesis: Predicting fastball velocity from range of motion, strength and co-contraction
Thesis: Developing a library of manual force durations for common automotive assembly tasks
Thesis: Examining the effect of virtual reality immersion on physical ergonomics exposure metrics
Thesis: The effect of mental fatigue on novel perceptual-motor task performance and neuromechanics
Thesis: Construct validity and sensitivity of the Spine Dysfunction, Stress and Sensory-Motor Integration Questionnaire in individuals with neck dysfunction
Thesis: An evaluation of upper-limb exoskeletons and overhead cycle time on shoulder loading
Thesis: Exploring the interaction of physical and mental fatigue on upper-limb neuromechanics
Thesis: The effect of handedness on upper-limb strength
Research area: Development and validation of tools examining neural correlates and constructs associated with sensorimotor integration
Thesis: Examining the effects of duty cycle and exertion-intensity thresholds on neuromuscular fatigue and recovery
Thesis: Evaluation of subclinical neck pain on shoulder kinematics and occupational performance
Student experience
24 former undergraduate researchers and trainees.
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award
Project: Validation of Theia3D for upper-extremity kinematics
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award
Project: Glove-based tracking for proactive virtual-reality assessments
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award
Project: Data collection and analysis
Project: Body composition, manual material-handling exposures, and isometric joint strength