University of Calgary
Kinesiology Dean's Office
Contact Information
Dr. Wayne Giles, Dean
Faculty of Kinesiology
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1N4
Phone: (403) 220-5607
Fax: (403) 220-0448
email: wgiles@ucalgary.ca
Biography
Dr. Wayne Giles was appointed Dean of Kinesiology in July of 2006. Most recently Giles was a Professor in Bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Giles returns to Calgary where he was a Faculty member for almost 20 years. Giles was previously the Head of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Calgary where he held an Endowed Chair from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta. Giles serves on the editorial boards of Circulation Research and the American Journal of Physiology. He received his Ph.D. in Physiology from Yale University in 1974.
Research
Dr. Giles is an internationally recognized researcher in the electrical activity of cells – looking to understand cell function by detecting and in some cases controlling the cell’s electrical activity
The majority of Giles’ research has been on the electrophysiology of the heart and that work has greatly contributed to our present understanding of the electrical impulses that initiate and modulate the heart beat. This work has provided insight into the design of cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators, and drugs that control dangerous heart rhythms.
Giles is continuing his research at the University of Calgary by examining the electrical activity in bone cells and chondrocytes which are critical to articulate joint functions. The theme is always understanding cell function by detecting and in some cases controlling the cell’s electrical activity.