Wellness and Innovations in NeuroAging (WIN)
Dr. Winnie Sun, Scientific Director
Dr. Winnie Sun completed her PhD in Nursing and collaborative graduate program in Health Services and Policy Research at the University of Toronto, Canada. She is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences in Ontario Tech University, and she is holding a research appointment as the Co-Research Director of the Advancement in Dementia Care Centre (ADCC), collaboration between Ontario Tech University and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, in Ontario Canada. In 2024, Dr. Sun received the Research Excellence Chair Award from Ontario Tech University where she is leading the development of AVOID frailty model of care to promote healthy aging and dementia care.
As the Scientific Director of the Wellness and Innovations in NeuroAging (WIN) Research Pillar, Dr. Sun is leading a comprehensive program of research in aging and dementia care, which can be sub-divided into four overarching research themes:
(1) Advancing Evidence-Informed, Person-Centred Care;
(2) Promoting Quality of Life and Cognitive Rehabilitation;
(3) Developing Technology Enabled Care to Support Aging-In-Place;
(4) Leveraging Partnerships to Build a Competent Dementia Care Workforce.
As a Co-Research Director of ADCC, her research agenda advances the creation of aging and dementia-friendly communities through evidence-informed research and practices, as well as scaling up of technological innovation to promote aging in place and supporting capacity-building of workers in the care of older adults across the care continuum. Her program of research aims to improve the quality of life of those living with dementia by developing innovations and new approaches to support their psychosocial needs and behavioural challenges. Examples of past and recent contributions in developing technology-enabled dementia care included her award of Post-Doctoral Fellowship from AGE-WELL (Canada’s Technology and Aging Network), and her recent development of Virtual Reality (VR) Reminiscence Therapy, exergaming/cognitive stimulation interventions and Conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications for people with dementia funded by Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
To achieve the goal of leveraging partnerships to build a competent dementia care workforce, she was awarded the Micro-Credential Challenge Funds from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities with the aim of developing Dementia Care Micro-credential to support capacity building in Long-Term Care. Dr. Sun was also awarded with funding from WeRPN (Registered Practical Nurses Association) and CIHR to examine “Staffing Stability in Long-Term Care”; “Development of an Emotional and Compassionate Model of Care in Long-Term Care”; “Development of a Workplace Retention Framework to Build Capacity in Long-Term Care”; as well as “Co-Designing and Participatory Approaches to Building Partnerships to Advance Dementia Care”. For World Alzheimer’s Day in 2023, Dr. Sun was awarded the Ambassador Award from the Alzheimer’s Society of Durham Region for her ongoing commitment to raising awareness and challenge the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. This award recognizes Dr. Sun’s leadership and dedication to advance a program of research with the goal of leveraging the creation of aging and dementia-friendly communities, as well as making a meaningful impact to those older adults living with dementia across the Durham Region of Ontario and beyond.
Advancement for Dementia Care Centre
Sarah Pistritto, Research Manager
Sarah Pistritto is a current Health Sciences PhD Candidate at Ontario Tech University and Centre Manager at Sienna Living in partnership with Ontario Tech University, focusing on healthy active aging through the AVOID frailty model of care. Working under the supervision of Dr. Sun, she develops technology-enabled, personalized programs, combining exergaming, digital twins modeling, and co-designed approaches to support cognitive health, physical activity, and quality of life for older adults. Sarah has co-authored peer-reviewed publications, presented at national and international conferences, and led community-based wellness initiatives. Passionate about translating research into practical solutions, she works to create engaging, evidence-informed programs that promote independence, social connection, and well-being for older adults.