Dr. Forbes’ research utilizes magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to monitor the progression of disease and potential treatments in muscular dystrophies. His research incorporates a translational approach, and includes investigating the effects of gene therapies, pharmaceutical interventions, and exercise on skeletal and cardiac muscle composition and function. Currently, a primary…
Dr. Smith’s research examines the time course and extent of respiratory muscle remodeling in response to respiratory muscle overload training, using a combination of basic science and clinical approaches. Her current research projects include 1) examining the biology of acute muscle remodeling following a respiratory overload, 2) using translational strategies…
Dr. Rose’s research investigates the development and implementation of behavioral intervention strategies, based on principles of neuroplasticity and motor learning, for the rehabilitation of motor control deficits following neurologic injury and disease. She investigates the role of adjuvants, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, to behavioral interventions for the recovery…
All movements –as simple as blinking one’s eyes to as complex as signing one’s name and walking—involve the production and control of muscular force by the nervous system. While biomechanical demands vary across motor tasks, the nervous system responds to regulate force production in a task dependent manner. Dr. Patten’s…
Dr. George’s primary research interests involve the utilization of biopsychosocial models for the prevention and treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Dr. George’s research projects have been supported by awards from the University of Florida, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the Foundation for Physical Therapy. His…
Dr. Fuller’s research program is aimed at understanding how neuroplasticity in the brain and spinal cord influences the control of breathing. The overall hypothesis driving the work in Dr. Fuller’s laboratory is that appropriate induction of neuroplasticity has the potential to improve respiratory muscle control in cases of injury or…
Dr. Bishop’s research interests are in the management of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly pain, by conservative rehabilitation interventions like manual therapy. This work uses experimentally induced pain models and includes modalities such as quantitative sensory testing to measure pain sensitivity and central nervous system changes in response to interventions. This work…
Dr. Bialosky’s research interests are primarily on the mechanisms of manual therapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. He is currently supported by the K12 Rehabilitation Research Career Development Program with a research program focused on 1) placebo mechanisms of manual therapy and 2) neuroplastic changes in pain associated with…
Dr. Vandenborne’s work presents a multidisciplinary, integrated research approach to study muscle degeneration/regeneration from a pathophysiological level to functional impairment. The specific objectives of her program are to: 1) develop novel noninvasive techniques for the evaluation of skeletal muscle, 2) investigate the ability to enhance muscle function using modalities ranging…
Dr. Martin’s research efforts focus primarily on the development and implementation of respiratory muscle rehabilitation programs for lung transplant and ventilator dependent patients. The respiratory muscles are of interest because of the role they play in dyspnea perception, exercise tolerance and ventilator dependence. Weaning patients from mechanical ventilation is a…
