Lora Appel

My Favourite Slogan/Quote

If you want something done, give it to a busy person. Pressure creates diamonds.

 

What’s close to my heart?

My lungs (puns and sarcasm, obviously).

 

What book is on my nightstand?

Plunder: A Memoir of Family Property and Nazi Treasure

 

How did I get here?

Now, this is a story all about how
I started workin’ at TGH downtown,
And I’d like to take a minute Don’t change that tab
I’ll tell you how I arrived at the innovative OpenLab:
♪ ♪ ♪
In Toronto, Canada, not born, but raised
In the classroom is where I spent most of my days
Undergrad in business and a Masters degree
Researchin’ tech in healthcare for my PhD

When abroad for five years, my mom said that was no good
Started movin’ back to my old neighbourhood
I got one little grant, and then that grew and grew
And that’s how the VR clinical trials ‘came true!

 

My Training and Experience

• PhD in Communication and Information Science, Rutgers University
• Masters in Communication and Information Science, Rutgers University
• International Bachelor of Business Administration (iBBA), Schulich School of Business

 

My Achievements

• Recipient of NCA’s “Gerald R. Miller Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award” 2017
• Recipient of “Outstanding Graduate Student 2016” award, School of Communication & Information, Rutgers University

 

Select Media Appearances

Mar 5, 2018 Global News Canada: Canadian Research Leading VR and Dementia

Aug 8, 2017 CBC News The National: Virtual Reality and Dementia Canada, Toronto, ON

 

Select Publications

APPEL L., Appel, E., Lewis, S., Cheng, L., (2022) Virtual Reality for Veteran Relaxation (VR2) – Evaluating VR as Therapy to Manage Responsive Behaviours in Veterans Living in Long-term Care. (p.170) Frontiers in Virtual Reality URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2021.724020/full

APPEL L., Ali, S., Narang, T., Mozeson, K., Orchanian-Cheff, A., Campos, J. (2021) Virtual Reality to Promote Wellbeing in Persons with Dementia: A Scoping Review. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering (RATE) URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/20556683211053952

APPEL L., Appel, E., Kisonas, E., Pasat, Z., Mozeson, K., Vemulakonda, J., & Sheng, L. Q. (2021) Virtual Reality for Veteran Relaxation (VR 2)-Introducing VR-therapy for Veterans with Dementia-Challenges and Rewards of the Therapists Behind the Scenes. Frontiers in Virtual Reality URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2021.720523

APPEL L., Recknagel, J., Lewis, S., Kisonas, E., (2022) VRCHIVE: Experiences conducting an online workshop teaching intergenerational participants to create virtual reality films about their lives during the COVID pandemic. Educational Gerontology. 1-26. URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2022.2039848

APPEL L., Kisonas E, Appel E, Klein J, Bartlett D, Rosenberg J, Smith CN. (2021) Administering Virtual Reality Therapy to Manage Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Patients With Dementia Admitted to an Acute Care Hospital: Results of a Pilot Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Form Res 5(2):e22406 doi: 10.2196/22406 URL: https://formative.jmir.org/2021/2/e22406

APPEL L., Appel, E Bogler, O., Wiseman, M., Cohen, L., Ein, N., Abrams, H., Campos, J. (2020). Frail older adults can benefit from immersive Virtual Reality experiences: A feasibility study. Frontiers in Medicine, Geriatric Medicine https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2019.00329/full

APPEL L., Abrams, H., Morra, D., & Wu, R. C. (2015). Put a Face to a Name: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Impact of Providing Clinician Photographs on Inpatients’ Recall. The American Journal of Medicine, 128(1), 82-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.08.035