The aim of this proposal is to compare cortical activity in the posterior parietal cortex and prefrontal cortex, as well as key gait metrics in young, healthy older and older adult fallers during increasingly complex gait tasks to elucidate the effect posterior parietal cortex and prefrontal cortex activity have on the relationship between gait and fall predictors in older adult fallers. This is a collaborative project with Dr. Wouter Hoogkamer and the UMass Integrative Locomotion Lab (UMILL). Funded by the National Institute of Aging.

The aim of this project is to investigate the specific neural processes involved in long-term motor learning of a wearable gait-assistive robotic exoskeleton. The results of this study will transform how robotic exoskeleton research is conducted, open new lines of inquiries in neuroscience, and have important implications for clinical practice and the development of more effective and user-friendly exoskeletons. This is a collaborative project with Dr. Meghan Huber and the Human Robot Systems Lab. Funded by the UMass Amherst Provost Office's Interdisciplinary Research Grant.

The aim of this project is to determine the validity of a wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) system (Moveo Explorer) for measures of joint angle approximations during gait in health young adults. Clinicians often use joint angles as a variable for rehabilitation decisions. However, optical motion capture, the current gold standard for joint angle approximation, is limited in clinical use by the expenses and expertise required to operate such labs. The results of this study will provide clinicians with an alternative, portable, and more affordable option for joint angle approximation measurements.

The aim of this project is to identify new biomarkers for progression of motor impairment in people with Parkinson's disease. We hope to better determine when someone with Parkinson's disease is transitioning to a more impaired disease state. Ultimately we hope to intervene before the transition in order to slow the progression of the disease. This is a collaborative project with Dr. Kara Smith at the UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA.

The aim of this project was to identify differences in cortical structure, as well as cognitive and mobility performance in older adult dog owners compared to non-dog owners. We hope to learn whether older adult dog owners have better brain health, and subsequently better cognitive and mobility performance than older adult non-dog owners. Data processing and analyses is ongoing, though preliminary results have been presented at ACSM and ISPGR. This was a collaborative project with Dr. Katie Potter and the UMass Behavioral Medicine Lab. 

The aim of this project was to identify changes in cortical activity that may factor into motor and cognitive performance in people recovering from a concussion. We addressed the acute through chronic phases of concussion recovery, with both a cross-sectional and longitudinal approach. Results from this study have been presented at ISPGR 2022.