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Clinical Associate Professor
The University of Florida, Brooks Rehabilitation
The current proposal is a feasibility study considering endogenous pain modulatory capacity as a mechanism of response to force based manipulation. I provide both clinical and research expertise in the area of the conservative, non- pharmacological management of patients with musculoskeletal pain along with the strong desire and motivation necessary to ensure the success of the proposed project. My background is as a physical therapist and I worked as a clinician for 14 years prior to pursuing a full time research career. The use of physical therapy interventions in the treatment of individuals experiencing musculoskeletal pain predominated my time as a clinician. Additionally, I was distinguished as an expert clinician in this area as indicated by recognition through the American Physical Therapy Association as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist and through the American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapists as a Fellow. Following a successful clinical career, I enrolled at the University of Florida to pursue my PhD and stayed on as a faculty member with funding from the Rehabilitation Research Career Development Program. My research career has focused upon the mechanisms through which rehabilitation interventions inhibits musculoskeletal pain with an emphasis on the relevance of contextual factors such as expectations and preferences. I have worked with the assembled research team throughout my dissertation studies and now as an independent researcher. We have a strong history of collaboration culminating in 28 published manuscripts. The current proposal represents a logical next step in our research agenda as we seek to further refine and validate our prior findings. In summary, my clinical experience, research background, and history of successful collaboration with the assembled multidisciplinary team of researchers leaves me uniquely qualified to successfully perform my roles and optimize our ability to succeed with this worthwhile project.