Multiple Sclerosis Research Fellow
Shepherd Center
I am a licensed clinical physical therapist (PT) and researcher in the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Institute at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. In additon to my work in the MS Rehab and Wellness Program, I am also in the Health Sciences Ph.D. program with a concentration in Translational Rehabilitation Science at Georgia State University (GSU). As the MS Research Fellow, I am involved with research that focuses on the development of remote rehabilitation technologies that have the potential to expand the precision and accessibility of quality care for people with MS (PwMS). One initiative is investigating the feasibility and adherence of remotely delivering evidence-based treatment using the portable neuromodulation stimulator device (PoNS) in combination with a 14-week physical therapy training program. Furthermore, the team has evaluated the integration of remote monitoring technologies with web-based tele-exercise platforms to address accessibility for PwMS. Additionally, we are exploring the utilization of remote wearable technologies in conjunction with consumer-based applications and clinician-facing dashboards to expand clinical care. Last year, I presented our research on the feasibility and adherence of PoNS and the implementation of a tele-rehabilitation exercise program for PwMS at the 2023 American Congress of Rehabilitation Research (ACRM) Annual Research Conference. The preliminary PoNS results were shared at a Research Collaborative between Georgia Tech and Shepherd Center in September 2024 and our research on the use of sensor-infused smart socks to assess disability progression and fatigue in PwMS was presented at the 2024 ACRM Annual Research Conference. The latter was funded by research grants from the American Physical Therapy Association of Georgia and the Georgia Foundation of Physical Therapy. Moreover, the work outlined in this proposal will build on our current work with a focus on systematically evaluating the capacity of sensor-infused smart socks to remotely evaluate acute and chronic changes in gait and fatigue during a semi-immersive virtual reality treadmill training intervention using the Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL) in PwMS. The generation of high-resolution data can be used for advanced analytics and machine learning to develop models to predict adherence and to develop an integrative remote monitoring system that can quantify performance and impact and provide real-time gait analysis to clinicians. Collectively, my multidisciplinary experience as a clinician and researcher has provided a unique opportunity for the development of diverse technical skills and content matter expertise. These experiences have established a solid foundation for research and technical competence that I can use to accomplish the objectives outlined in this proposal and ultimately enhance the development and implementation of advanced rehabilitation technologies for people living with MS while completing my doctorate degree.
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