Sidney T. Baudendistel, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
CV
Sidney is a postdoctoral research scholar mentored by Dr. Gammon Earhart focusing on research in Movement and Neurodegenerative diseases. A St. Louis area native, Sidney received her bachelor’s degree from Truman State University in Exercise Science where she also ran Track and Field. Following the completion of a master’s degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Sidney completed her PhD in Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida under the mentorship of Dr. Chris Hass. Her dissertation work focused on the investigating efficacy of an acute rehabilitation protocol using real-time biofeedback for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Her current research interest includes continuing her work understanding the underlying mechanisms for gait impairment in Parkinson’s disease to better implement rehabilitation protocols to improve quality of life.
Javier de Lucas Romero, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
CV
Javier de Lucas Romero is a postdoctoral researcher working under the supervision of Jacob G. McPherson at the research area of Neural Plasticity and Sensorimotor Integration. He is from Guadalajara, Spain and received his Bachelor’s degree in Health Biology from the University of Alcala. He completed his Master’s degree in Neuroscience at the Autonomous University of Madrid, followed by his Ph.D. in Cellular Signaling at the University of Alcala, under the supervision of Dr. Jose A. Lopez-Garcia. His doctoral research focused mainly on classifying and elucidating the origin of spontaneous activity patterns exhibited by neurons in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord, a critical region involved in pain processing.
Currently, Javier’s research interests revolve around understanding the involvement of these spontaneously active neurons in the complex processing of nociceptive information. He is particularly interested in how this spontaneous activity is altered in different pathological conditions, such as inflammatory or neuropathic pain and spinal cord injury.
Allison Miller, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
CV
Allison is a postdoctoral researcher mentored by Drs. Catherine Lang and Keith Lohse. Allison received her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Connecticut. Allison went on to pursue advanced clinical training by completing the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation Residency in Neurologic Physical Therapy which allowed her to achieve board-certification as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist. Allison’s time as a resident fueled her desire to pursue a career in rehabilitation research. She completed her PhD at the University of Delaware under the mentorship of Dr. Darcy Reisman. Her dissertation work focused on understanding factors that influence real-world walking activity in individuals with chronic stroke. Allison’s postdoctoral work builds upon her PhD training in which she is investigating the integration of wearable sensor data into the clinical environment. Allison’s long-term goal is to develop a productive line of research that leverages mobile health (mHealth) technologies, data science, and health care informatics to enhance measurement and clinical decision-making in rehabilitation care.
Rachana Vaidya, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
CV
Rachana is a postdoctoral research scholar co-mentored by Dr. Jennifer Zellers (Physical Therapy) and Dr. Simon Tang (Orthopedic Surgery). She is from Mumbai, India where she finished her Master’s in Biotechnology and came to US in 2017 to pursue her Ph.D. from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in Bioengineering and Biotechnology program. Her dissertation work focused on elucidating the effect of diabetes associated hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end-products on gene expression in bone cells called osteocytes. Her current research interests include understanding diabetes related tendon complications and to elucidate some of the molecular mechanisms that remains unknown in diabetes associated increased fracture risk. Her long-term goal is to find innovative bioengineering solutions to the improve diabetes management and musculoskeletal disorders.