Dr. Patrick G. Monaghan received his Ph.D. in Kinesiology, focusing on motor control and biomechanics, from Auburn University. He is currently employed as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Neuroimaging and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory with Dr. Nora Fritz. In his work, he is focused on unraveling the intricate neural mechanisms governing movement and postural control, particularly in older adults and individuals with neurologic disorders. His research aims to understand why people have difficulty moving and balancing, and how to use such understanding to prevent people from falling and develop neurorehabilitation techniques that enhance and optimize ambulation in the real world. His approach adopts a comprehensive perspective, encompassing neural, psychological, and disease-specific symptoms, to gain a holistic understanding of mobility impairments. By employing this well-rounded methodology, his research aims not only to identify sensitive measures that can predict fall risk but also to decipher key factors influencing real-world ambulation in older adult and neurologic populations. His long-term research goal is to improve mobility, physical function, and the quality of life in older adults and people with neurologic disorders by developing novel interventions targeting fall prevention and improved real-world ambulation.
Dr. Daniel S. Peterson is an associate professor at Arizona State University and director of the Gait and Balance Dysfunction Laboratory. His lab focuses on identifying ways to predict and prevent falls in neurological populations, as well as understanding motor learning as it pertains to physical rehabilitation. To achieve these goals, his lab applies biomechanical motion-capture techniques, neuropsychological cognitive assessments, and fMRI imaging approaches. Current projects in his lab include (1) characterizing biomechanics prior to and during slips (i.e., loss of balance) with and without divided attention; (2) measuring people's ability to improve responses to slips; (3) the identification of responders and non-responders to physical therapy; and (4) understanding cognitive factors related to falls. Prior to his appointment at ASU, he was a research scientist with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Portland and Salt Lake City (2014–2016). He also holds a Ph.D. in Movement Science and an M.S.C.I. in Clinical Investigation from Washington University.
Dr. Nora E. Fritz is an Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at the Department of Health Care Sciences and Department of Neurology at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She also serves as the Director of Research for the Department of Health Care Sciences. She is the Director of the Neuroimaging and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Miami University, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Health in Rehabilitation Sciences with a specialization in Neuroscience and Translational Science from Ohio State University. Her research interests include examining the influence of cognition on mobility and exploring exercise interventions to improve function in individuals with neurologic conditions. She is particularly interested in linking clinically observable function to structural imaging and predicting the outcomes of exercise interventions using neuroimaging.
