I have a longstanding interest in neurogenetic diseases, particularly those affecting children. I completed a fellowship in genetics following my training in pediatrics and child neurology. My initial research activities involved genetic mapping of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). I then transitioned to clinical research, participating in multicenter natural history studies in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Friedreich ataxia. I direct an ongoing natural history and outcome measure study of the dystroglycanopathies, a group of rare types of muscular dystrophy, as part of the Iowa Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center. I am also co-PI for the Education Core of the Iowa Wellstone Center's Educational Core, mentoring medical students interested in clinical research. As co-PI of the Iowa MDSTARnet site I have been actively involved in the development and growth of this CDC-sponsored epidemiologic study of muscular dystrophies since 2005. I am site PI for a number of industry-sponsored clinical trials for neuromuscular diseases. I continue to be active in the clinic, caring for patients with all types of neuromuscular diseases. My goal throughout all these activities has been to improve care of children and adults with neuromuscular diseases and to support development of the next generation of clinical investigators.