Neuromechanics Laboratory
Catholic University of America/National Rehabilitation Hospital
Neuromechanics Laboratory
Our laboratory is located within the biomedical engineering department of the Catholic University of America (CUA), Washington, DC. We are also a part of the Center for Applied Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Research (CABRR) established in the CUA and MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital.
Mission Statement
Our goal is to elucidate neuromechanics of functional impairment following different neurological injuries, and to develop and implement novel rehabilitation engineering techniques to promote neural plasticity and consequent functional recovery.
Main research areas
In order to achieve the goal, we aim to focus our research on the following areas:
a. Biomechanics of human musculoskeletal system
b. Neuromechanical changes following neurological diseases underlying functional impairment
c. Novel engineering techniques for effective rehabilitation for patients with neurological injuries
News
[6/2024] Our lab was awarded a new research grant that examines impact of altered sensorimotor experience in robotic training of stroke survivors (PI: Lee) from the National Institute of Health.
[5/2024] Trenton Gilstrap successfully defended his dissertation titled "Control of teleoperation hand device via surface EMG-driven joint angle prediction algorithm". Congratulations!
[12/2023] Massimo Tchantret received his master's degree - congratulations!
@ maman/bethesda
[9/2023] Hien Nguyen started her position at Google Life Science. Congratulations!
[7/2023] A new paper on the relationship between unilateral and bilateral deficits of stroke survivors, "Impact of unilateral and bilateral impairments on bimanual force production following stroke," (in collaboration with Dr. Reza Shadmehr in Johns Hopkins University) was accepted for publication in the Journal of Neurophysiology. [Link]
[6/2023] Molemo Manosa joined the lab as a summer high-school intern.
[2/2023] A new paper on the arm use of stroke survivors, "Choice of arm use in stroke survivors is largely driven by the energetic cost of the movement," (in collaboration with Dr. Reza Shadmehr in Johns Hopkins University) was accepted for publication in the Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. [Link]
[11/2022] Hien Nguyen successfully defended her dissertation titled "Understanding the underlying mechanism of upper extremity functional impairment following stroke." Congratulations!
@ union market/dc
[10/2022] A new paper on the abnormal distal-proximal coupling of stroke survivors, "Abnormal proximal-distal interactions in upper-limb of stroke survivors during object manipulation: A pilot study," was accepted for publication in the Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. [Link]
[7/2022] A new paper on the muscle coordination of stroke survivors, "Alterations in motor modules and their contribution to limitations in force control in the upper extremity after stroke," (from research work of Dr. Jinsook Roh in Univ. of Houston) was accepted for publication in the Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. [Link]
[6/2022] Mary Egwim started her work at the US Patent and Trademark Office. Congratulations!
[6/2022] Elizabeth Yuan, Arnav Poddar, and Frederick Zheng joined the lab as summer high-school interns.
@ busboys & poets/brookland
[5/2022] Madison Hughes and Massimo Tschantret joined the lab as summer undergraduate interns.
[8/2021] A new paper on the neurophysiology of sensory trick for cervical dystonia patients, "Sensory tricks modulate corticocortical and corticomuscular connectivity in cervical dystonia," (from research work of Dr. Mark Hallett in NIH) was accepted for publication in the Clinical Neurophysiology.
[7/2021] Billy Vermillion started his new position (NIH NRSA postdoctoral fellow) at Yale University. Congratulations Billy!
@ busboys & poets/brookland
[5/2021] Mary Egwim received her master's degree - congratulations!
[2/2021] A new paper on the neurophysiology of sensory trick for cervical dystonia patients, "Sensory tricks in cervical dystonia correlate with enhanced brain activity during motor preparation," (from research work of Dr. Mark Hallett in NIH) was accepted for publication in the Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. [Pubmed]
[12/2020] Mada Alghamdi joined the group.