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Research Associate Professor, Director of Neuromuscular Research
The University of Florida, Brooks Rehabilitation
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Florida (UF) and a Clinical Research Scientist at Brooks Rehabilitation. I am the Director of the Brooks-PHHP Research Collaboration, a formal collaboration between Brooks Rehabilitation and the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions (PHHP. The focus of this collaboration is to advance clinical research and improve rehabilitation and health outcomes. As Director, my role is to bring strategic leadership and vision to the collaboration, bringing together faculty and clinicians to enhance the missions of UF-PHHP and Brooks Rehabilitation. I am also the Director of Neuromuscular Research at Brooks Rehabilitation and direct the Brooks Motion Analysis Center, a clinical and research laboratory that includes a team of clinicians, bioengineers, and research personnel.
My clinical background as a physical therapist and research program are focused on rehabilitation of individuals with neurologic conditions. My research focuses on motor recovery and rehabilitation of walking, community mobility and respiratory function. I am particularly interested in the mechanisms underlying motor function and development of strategies to activate the neuromuscular system and promote plasticity and functional recovery. My research program is well established, highly collaborative, and includes five IRB-approved, extramurally funded studies to advance rehabilitation of health and function after neurologic injury.
I have a strong background in mentorship, having mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students. I serve on the steering committees of the UF Department of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science Doctoral (PhD) Degree Program and our department’s NIH T32 Neuromuscular Plasticity Training Program. My lab currently includes two PhD trainees, 2 post-doctoral trainees and numerous multidisciplinary team members (clinicians, engineers, assistants, coordinators, and interns). My trainees have a productive research record and have received numerous research awards. My past trainees are now established in research faculty roles.