Scholar Spotlight

1. What is your role at CHP, and how long have you worked here?

• Professor, Department of Physical Therapy.
• Now 15 years (hired 2007)

2. Could you tell us about your research interests and why you are passionate about them?

• My research supports my clinical practice. I am a Board-Certified Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy and specialize in the assessment and treatment of neurologic movement disorders as related to: TBI, Stroke, Vestibular Disorders, Parkinson's and SCI.

3. What are some potential applications of your research, and what holds promise for patients?

• My passion includes the use of instrumented computerized assessments and biomechanical analysis of movement for the purpose of documenting patient impairment levels and then levels of response to rehabilitative treatments.
• I use 2-D and 3-D motion analysis techniques, robot-assisted methods and computerized force platforms to document clinical assessments of gait and other functional movements important to everyday life.
• My goal is to support future efforts to promote "precision" practice in rehabilitation with the use of digital and instrumented information about a patient's biometrics to help optimize patient treatment and recovery.

4. Could you tell us about your recent grant applications and how they will advance your area of research?

• In a collaborative team effort with UT Austin, recently received an NIH grant to develop an augmented treadmill system to increase patient use of their hemiparetic limb during gait to improve lateral balance and decrease risk for falls.
• In addition, with support of previous REP grants, I am working with a collaborative team in our department to explore the use of a mechanical horse simulator to provide rehabilitation of motor function and balance in children similar to real-horse-assisted therapy as used in hippotherapy.

5. Could you describe your vision for the research work you are leading at CHP?

• My hopes are that our students become future leaders in ways to optimize existing and emerging digital technology to improve patient care and promote "precision" clinical practice to narrow healthcare disparities.

6. What is the best part about being a scholar at the College of Health Professions at Texas State University?

• Being a scholarly opens door to many unexpected collaborations and opportunities for professional development at Texas State University as other researchers with a common passion learn about my work and interests.
• My basic research team over the years has included a multidiscipline approach to projects such as computer engineers, biostatisticians, other clinical professions i.e., MD's, audiologists or nursing and even software developers.

7. Do you have any advice for faculty considering research and grantsmanship at CHP?

• Attend special faculty events at Texas State University to learn about our "research community". You have to "be there" to learn about available resources.

8. What is one thing not on your CV that you would like us to know?

• I do not like the academic burden of "bean counting" about how many scholarly works I have. I am driven more about what supports my passions than about how many I have. I enjoy what I do in terms of clinical practice, teaching and research so I just follow my natural passions. It does involve work however I embrace it.

9. What are your hobbies and interests (other than making CHP great)?

• Anyone who knows me will tell you that I believe in exercise and having fun. I love nature so I seek outdoor activities like playing tennis, cycling, jogging and yard work. I am usually inspired to work out details of my projects during these outdoor activites.