 |
Andrea Behrman, PhD, PT
Dr. Andrea Behrman, PhD, PT, leads the Locomotor Training and Recovery
Research Program. She is an Associate Professor in the Department
of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions
at the University of Florida and a Research Investigator at the VA
Brain Rehabilitation Research Center. She has been at UF as a faculty
member since 1995 having completed her PhD at UF, her MS in PT at
Duke University, and her BS in Biology at Furman University. She grew
up in Chapel Hill, NC and is of course a Tarheel basketball fan. She
has a sheltie named Skylar; lives on beautiful Lake Santa Fe enjoying
wildlife, water sports, and sunsets; and rumor has it that she is
"Xena, the Warrior Princess.”
|
| |
|
 |
Steve Kautz, PhD
Dr Kautz's research focuses on applying biomechanical and neurophysiological
principles to understand the normal coordination of rhythmic locomotor
behavior and the specific deficits in bilateral coordination of lower-limb
function in persons with post-stroke hemiparesis from a pathophysiological
level to functional impairment. His research relies on developing
detailed dynamical models and analyses hand-in-hand with experiments.
Specific objectives of his work are: 1) investigate the mechanisms
underlying bilateral coordination deficits in hemiparetic locomotion,
2) develop improved assessment of hemiparetic coordination and gait
performance and 3) develop improved rehabilitation programs for hemiparetic
gait. |
| |
|
 |
Carolynn Patten, PT, PhD
My research focuses on understanding neurological and biomechanical
mechanisms contributing to weakness in age-related and neurological
disorders, especially post-stroke hemiplegia. Accordingly, this line
of inquiry is relevant for improving the effectiveness and efficiency
of neurorehabilitation. I use a combination of techniques from neurophysiology,
clinical electrophysiology, human performance, and functional imaging
to perform studies in humans. As a result, my research crosses multiple
disciplines including motor control, biomechanics, physiology, clinical
medicine, and rehabilitation, with the common goal of understanding
the neural regulation of muscle force and its role in movement control. |
| |
|
 |
Dorian Rose, PhD,
PT
Dr. Rose received her Ph.D.in Biokinesiology from the University
of Southern California. Her primary interest in research, teaching
and clinical practice is in the rehabilitation and recovery of individuals
post-stroke. She is currently Clinical Research Coordinator for the
NIH-funded trial, Locomotor Experience Applied Post-Stroke (LEAPS),
an investigation of intervention intensity and timing and stroke severity
on walking recovery. Dr. Rose is leading an investigation, "Homeward
Bound," in partnership with Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital to
examine the effectiveness of translating motor learning principles
into clinical practice. Finding no mountains to hike and the humidity
too high to camp she enjoys experiencing the pastoral countryside
of North-Central Florida from atop a Cannondale. |
| |
|
 |
Mary Thigpen, PhD
Mary Thigpen joined the physical therapy faculty as a Clinical Assistant
Professor in Fall 2005. Dr. Thigpen has been practicing as a physical
therapist since 1979, and became a board certified clinical specialist
in neurology in 1994. She returned to graduate school in 1996, and
received her doctoral degree from the University of Florida in motor
behavior in 2000. |
| |
|
 |
Lisa Hannold, Ph.D.,
Research Health Scientist
Dr. Hannold has an MS degree in Counseling Psychology/Community
Counseling from Gannon University (Erie PA), and earned her PhD in
Rehabilitation Science from the UF in 2004. Currently, she researches
at the VA Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center and is a courtesy
lecturer for the Rehabilitation Counseling Department at UF. As a
co-investigator on the team, Dr. Hannold uses qualitative research
methods to explore how locomotor training affects participants psychosocially.
Her findings provide the team with insight into the personal impact
of locomotor training (including how it affects participants’
quality of life). As a native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Hannold loves the
Florida sunshine! Some of her favorite activities include watching
movies, traveling, shopping, the arts, cooking and eating!
|
| |
|
 |
Claudia Senesac, PT, PhD, PCS
Claudia Senesac has over 29 years of pediatric clinical experience. She has been the owner and administrator of a pediatric physical therapy private practice since 1984 and is a board certified clinical specialist in Pediatrics. She is currently coordinating an NIH and MDA grant investigating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This study is investigating the reliability of MRI to detect healthy and injured tissue in addition to collecting functional measures including timed motor tasks, gait, and strength. She is thrilled to be part of the locomotor team funded by a grant from the Neilsen Foundation investigating: Restoring Walking In Non-ambulatory Children with Severe, Chronic SCI.
|
 |
Jeffery Fox, Research
Coordinator
Jeff is a research coordinator and oversees a project investigating
locomotor recovery in persons with spinal cord injury. He is responsible
for the administrative aspects of the study, and is also a member
of the locomotor training team. Jeff enjoys the outdoors, exercising,
and spending lots of time with his wife and two sons. |
| |
|
 |
Sarah Stickles,
Physical Therapist
Sarah Stickles is a physical therapist who joined the team in March
2006 as a team therapist and locomotor trainer. She is also currently
on staff at Shands Hospital as a physical therapist for trauma and
neurological patients. She graduated from University of Florida in
2002 and has not left the UF community since! Sarah enjoys traveling,
reading, boating, and cooking (or trying to!). |
| |
|
 |
Erin Carr, Research
Coordinator
Erin is a Research Coordinator for the Locomotor team who primarily
coordinates projects involving persons who have had stroke. Erin joined
the team in June 2006, after graduating from UF with a bachelors degree
in zoology. One of Erin’s future goals is to pursue a degree
in physical therapy.
|
 |
Mark Bowden
Mark Bowden is a research PT with the VA BRRC and a Doctoral Student
in the Rehabilitation Science Doctoral Program. He received a BS in
Psychology and MS in Physical Therapy from Duke University. Mark started
working with the team in September, 2002 after 8 years as a clinician
and therapy manager. Mark was born and raised in Salisbury, NC and
his interests include golf, cooking, basketball, and mostly enjoying
his wife and two little girls. |
| |
|
 |
Kristin Day
Kristin Day is a Doctoral Student in the Rehabilitation Science Doctoral
Program and joined the team as a therapist and trainer in January
2006. She earned both her BS in biology and masters in physical therapy
from Ohio University. Before coming to UF, Kristin worked in acute
care and inpatient rehab hospitals in Cincinnati, Ohio and Greenville,
South Carolina. In her spare time, she enjoys music, dance, theater,
traveling and spending time with her family (including her cat and
yellow lab) and friends.
|
| |
|
 |
Emily Fox
Emily is a physical therapist who joined the team in January 2007.
She earned her B.S. in Physical Therapy from FAMU and a Masters of
Health Science from UF. She recently completed her Doctorate in Physical
Therapy from the University of St. Augustine and is currently a Doctoral
student in the Rehabilitation Science Doctoral Program at UF. Emily
is Board Certified in Neurologic Physical Therapy and has clinical
experience in the rehab setting. Emily enjoys running, camping, dancing,
playing outdoors, and doing all of the above with her family! |
| |
|
 |
Luther Gill
Luther is a Doctoral Student in the Rehabilitation Science Program
at the University of Florida. He received a Doctor of Physical Therapy
degree from Hampton University in Virginia and a Bachelor of Science
degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training from the University of
Cincinnati in Ohio. Prior to joining the team at UF Luther gained
experience in Virginia treating individuals with spinal cord injuries
and stroke |
| |
|
 |
Preeti Nair
Preeti Nair is a Doctoral candidate in the Dept. of Physical
Therapy, RSD program, UF College of Public Health and Health Professions.
She has been a research assistant/coordinator for the team for 4 years.
She is originally from Mumbai, India and now calls Gainesville her
home. Her professional interests include 1) Neuromechanical control
of walking and how altered walking mechanics modify neural drive for
locomotion. 2) Effect of body weight support and walking speed on
coordinated muscular activation for reciprocal stepping. |
 |
Sangeetha Madhavan,
PhD, PT
Sangeetha is originally from Chennai, India, where she obtained her
bachelor's in Physical Therapy. She then moved to the US for graduate
studies and completed her doctoral degree in Rehabilitation Science
at the University of Iowa in 2007. Her research interests include
neuromuscular control of movement in individuals with lower extremity
pathology and neuromuscular impairments, understanding motor behavior
after pathology in an effort to use motor control principles to enhance
neuroplasticity. Reading, cooking and traveling are some of her favorite
pastimes. |
| |
|
 |
Chetan Phadke,
PhD, PT
Dr. Phadke and Mr. Chetan! Yes, that’s me. I have two sides,
human and the animal! Unlike Dr. Jekyll, I keep switching at will…I
work in two labs, dealing with human and animal research. I have worked
all my life with human patients, but am learning about what the animals
can teach us about recovery and locomotion. In my spare time (which
is always plenty if you remove TV from the picture!), I like to play
with computers, teach children’s classes, and hold devotional
meetings. Meeting new people and learning about new experiences fascinates
me.
|
| |
|
 |
Nicole Tester, PhD
Dr. Tester is originally from Illinois and earned her BS in chemistry
from Millikin University. She moved to Gainesville in 1999 to pursue
her doctorate from UF in neuroscience where she studied spinal cord
injury in animal models. In the Spring, 2006, Nicole graduated with
her PhD. She is currently a post-doc working with the locomotor team
where she hopes to help bridge translational research between the
basic and clinical sciences. Snow-skiing, scuba diving, traveling,
and watching movies are some of her favorite hobbies. Read about Nicole's
research grant award from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
here.
|
| |
|
 |
Chris Robertson, Ph.D.
Chris is a post-doctoral fellow with the Veterans Affairs Brain
Rehabilitation and Research Center (mentor: Carolynn
Patten, PhD., PT). He completed his PhD. in Neuroscience and Human
Performance at Indiana University where his research focused on examining
the peripheral and central regulation of spinal cord mechanisms underlying
the modulation of neural activity involved in sensory discrimination
and motor performance. Chris is currently examining the neurological
impairments of movement-related tasks associated with stroke and spinal
cord injury by conducting H-reflex studies on hemiplegic patients
involved in rehabilitative interventions. He hopes to gain a better
understanding of the spinal interlimb coordination associated with
cortical and sensory input during the recovery of functional locomotion
post-stroke. |
 |
David J. Clark, Ph.D.
David J. Clark, is a Research Health Science Specialist at the Veterans
Affairs Brain Rehabilitation Research Center (mentor: Steve
Kautz, PhD. ) He completed his Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation
Sciences at Boston University and his Bachelor of Science in Exercise
Physiology at the University of Massachusetts - Lowell. David's research
has focused on neuromuscular control of force and movement in adults
who have experienced a stroke and in elders with functional limitations.
He is currently investigating the neuro-mechanical impairments underlying
locomotor deficits in adults post-stroke. Specifically, he seeks to
understand the role of descending motor inputs for making voluntary
adaptations during walking. |
