Kelly Westlake, PT, MSc, PhD

Professor
University of Maryland, Baltimore

The overall focus of Dr. Westlake's lab is on understanding the neuromotor and cognitive-emotional mechanisms that underlie impaired movement and motor learning deficits in healthy aging and age-related neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and mild cognitive impairment. Her lab has a particular emphasis on the mechanisms of impaired balance and gait and the development of innovative rehabilitative solutions that are supported by motor learning studies. This research involves an integrative approach, consisting of the study of brain function (fMRI, EEG), biomechanics (kinematics, kinetics), and psychophysiological responses (HRV, GSC) with respect to motor control and learning/neuroplasticity. She is also committed to bringing forth technological advances that embody critical elements of behavioral neuroscience research to target sensorimotor recovery after neurological injury.

Poster(s):

• Effect of Virtual Height on Intermuscular Coherence and Postural Stability During Reactive Balance

• Lateral Weight Transfer Deficits Reveal Balance Vulnerability in Early-stage Parkinson’s Disease During Trip-perturbed Walking