​​Laura K. Fitzgibbon-Collins​, PhD
Education
- PhD (University of Waterloo)
- MSc (Brock University)
- BKin Honours (Lakehead University)
Research In Profile
Dr. Laura Fitzgibbon-Collins’ research examines cerebrovascular and cardiovascular hemodynamics and their integration with mobility (gait, posture, fall risk) and cognition (working memory, executive function, global performance) across adulthood. She uses advanced wearable technologies to continuously measure cerebral blood flow, mobility, and working memory during real-world behaviours, enabling the study of how vascular and neural control systems adapt with aging, cognitive impairment, exercise training, and biological sex. A central focus of her program is female health, with particular attention to sex-specific trajectories of cerebrovascular aging and the ways in which arterial structure and function influence blood flow and ultimately cognition, gait, and balance.
Dr. Fitzgibbon-Collins’ lab is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive research environment grounded in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Accessibility (EDIDA). We actively welcome trainees and collaborators from diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, and we recognize that excellence in research is strengthened by multiple perspectives. Our approach prioritizes mentorship, transparency, and respect, while actively working to reduce structural barriers to participation in research and training. We are committed to culturally responsive, community-engaged research practices, meaningful knowledge mobilization, and creating an environment where all members feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Featured Publications and Projects
Articles in Peer-Reviewed Journals
- Fitzgibbon-Collins L.K., Best S., Noguchi M., Guest C., Borrie M., Shoemaker J.K., Bhangu J. (2025). Neurovascular de-coupling underlies dual-task cost across cognitive abilities. Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions.
- Fitzgibbon-Collins L.K., Borrie M., *Peters S., *Shoemaker J.K., *Bhangu J. (2025). Dynamic cerebral autoregulation in people with mild cognitive impairment. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism.
- Fitzgibbon-Collins L.K., Pereira T., Edgell H. (2025). Special Issue on Women’s Health: Women, orthostatic tolerance, and POTS: a narrative review. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical. Invited review.
- Fitzgibbon-Collins L.K., Coombs G.B., Noguchi M., Parihar S., Shoemaker J.K., Hughson R.L., Borrie M., Bhangu J. (2023). Standing middle cerebral artery velocity predicts cognitive function and gait speed in older adults with cognitive impairment, and is impacted by sex differences. Cerebral Circulation, Cognition and Behavior 6 100196.
- Fitzgibbon-Collins L.K., Heckman G.A, Bains I., Noguchi M., McIlroy W.E., Hughson R.L. (2021). Older adults’ drop in cerebral oxygenation on standing correlates with postural instability and may improve with sitting prior to standing. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Science .
- Fitzgibbon-Collins L.K., Noguchi M., Heckman G.A, Hughson R.L., Robertson A.D. (2019). Acute reductions in cerebral blood flow on supine-to-stand transitions affect postural stability in young adults. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology 317(6), H1342-H1353.
Visit for a comprehensive list of publications.
Graduate Student Opportunities
Please contact Laura Fitzgibbon-Collins at LFitzgib@uwo.ca for more information.
Additional Information
Academic Appointments and Research Affiliations
- Member, Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance (CWHHA), since 2025
Professional Activities
- STEM Expert for girls and gender diverse youth with the Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS), since 2023
- Member, International Society for Cerebral blood flow and metabolism (ISCBFM), since 2021
- Member, American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR), since 2022
- Member, Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, since 2006
- Member, Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), since 2025
- Member, Women’s Health Research Cluster
