Resilience

a baby snapper turtle walking towards foamy water.

I am a physical therapist with training in biomechanics and neural control of human movement. 

As a physical therapist, I focus on the bigger picture in order to improve movement and quality of life for my patients. I specialize in neurologic disorders but I do enjoy working with all diagnoses.  A significant portion of my current caseload consists of people with balance problems and vestibular disorders. 

As a scientist, I have worked on neural mechanisms behind human movement and exercise. My postdoctoral work involved real-life movement analysis. Real-life movement analysis has  potential to provide scientific biomechanical data in people's own environment. As a therapist, I see value in being able to follow  people's movements through their movement patterns. 

Work experience


Physical Therapist at Nebraska Medicine, Bellevue, NE (2022-present)

· Assessment and treatment of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders including specialties such as balance and dizziness · Providing feedback for process and quality improvement on regular basis

Physical Therapist at Mizzou Therapy Services, Columbia, MO (2018-2019)

· Assessment and treatment of neurological and musculoskeletal conditions

Physical Therapist at PeaceHealth, Longview, WA (2015-2018)

· Provided physical therapy services as a generalist with a major focus in neuro caseload, seating and wheelchair assessment · Developed better workflow in EPIC for all members by generating ideas for new builds

Physical Therapist at Preceptor Health, Germantown, WI (2014-2015)

· Physical therapy experience in home health setting working mostly with Medicare Part A clients · Comprehensive OASIS evaluations to start patients in home health care



Education


Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Missouri-Columbia (2019-2022)

·Research in the field of upper limb amputation and hand transplant ·Quantified outcomes related to biomechanics of upper limb use during daily life using wearables and surveys ·Developed algorithms for comprehensive data analysis including sleep vs rest detection ·Grant writing and scientific publications

Ph.D. Health Sciences (2016), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

·Research in the field of aging and stroke neurophysiology of muscle relaxation ·Used transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical nerve stimulation to quantify neural excitability ·Developed data collection and analysis protocols ·Built software and hardware for data collection ·Community outreach ·Public speaking ·Grant writing and scientific publications

·Coursework in statistics, neuroscience (theoretical and computational), health systems, research philosophy, ergonomics, biomechanics and applied engineering.

M.S. Biomechanics, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC (2010)

·Research on spinal cord changes while exercising the opposite side of the body ·Won nomination for the best thesis award

·Coursework in biomechanics, neurophysiology, research methods, neuroscience and statistics.

B. Physiotherapy, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India (2007)

·Developed clinical skills as a physical therapist at a large public hospital · Mentoring junior physical therapy students