Dr. Kaylena Ehgoetz Martens

Biography

Kaylena Ehgoetz Martens is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Her research focuses on the complex interactions between cognition, emotion, gait, and balance, particularly in the context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. She aims to investigate subclinical predictors of neurodegeneration and to leverage innovative technologies to catalyze early diagnosis and prevent mobility disturbances. Her work incorporates movement kinematics, functional neuroimaging, and psychophysiology within the field of cognitive neuroscience, enabling improved strategies to assess and manage gait disturbances in older adults and individuals at risk for neurodegenerative diseases. With a strong emphasis on both theoretical and practical aspects, she supervises students across various research programs and engages in teaching courses related to neurodegeneration, aging, and movement disorders. Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology & Physical Education from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Master’s in Psychology from the University of Waterloo, a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Waterloo, and a Postdoctoral fellowship at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Australia.

Research Interests