Prospective Graduate Degree Program Students
Q&A: Jacob Norton, Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate
Meet PT student Jack Moss
Movement, Imaging & Rehabilitation Lab: Team
Director
Ruth L. Chimenti, PT, PhD
Andrew Post, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
BS, Grand Valley State University, 2010
DPT, Grand Valley State University, 2013
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Timothy Fleagle, PT
BA, Wartburg College, 2016
DPT, University of Iowa, 2019
Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa
Sara McElroy
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Ottumwa, Iowa
Anwitha Vempati
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa
Openings:
Our laboratory has funding for PhD and postdoctoral scholars who are highly motivated, passionate about research, and enjoy working within interdisciplinary scientific teams. If you are interested in joining our laboratory, please reach out via email: ruth-chimenti@uiowa.edu.
Human Performance and Clinical Outcomes Lab: Personnel
Director
Graduate Students
Kirsten Anderson, BSE
Wesley Gari, BSE
Postdoctoral Scholar
Sapna Sharma, PhD
Lab Staff
Molly Pacha, MS, ATC, LAT, Research Associate
Undergraduate Students
Karena Jensen
Sara Magdziarz
Ashley Streck
Taylor Wentz
Movement, Imaging & Rehabilitation Laboratory
Director
Locations
- Main Hospital, Orthopaedic Gait Analysis Laboratory, 01421 JPP
- Directions
What We Do
The long-term goal of our research is to identify biomarkers, movement patterns, and psychosocial factors that enhance the ability to evaluate chronic musculoskeletal conditions and therefore improve treatment to reduce pain and maximize function. Current projects focus on tendinopathy pain mechanisms, including tissue pathology (ultrasound elastrography, 3D radiography), central sensitization (quantitative sensory testing), altered biomechanics (3D motion analysis), and psychological factors (self-report questionnaires).
Research (hyperlinks to recent publications)
Capabilities
Movement analysis
- 34' level ground walkway with 3 force plates (AMTI)
- 12 Camera vicon motion capture system
- Vicon Vue camera to overlay 3D representation of kinematic model on video capture
Ultrasound imaging
- ACUSON Sequoia (Siemens) with linear transducers for shear wave ultrasound elastography, high quality b-mode imaging, and doppler flow quantification
Quantitative sensory testing
- Algometer type II (Somedic)
Software
- Nexus (Vicon)
- Matlab (MathWorks)
- Visual 3D software (C-Motion Inc.)
- CubeVue (CurveBeam LLC)
Human Performance and Clinical Outcomes
Director
Locations
- 21D Eckstein Medical Research Building, Iowa City, IA 52242
- 1-152 Medical Education Building, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Phone: (319) 353-0431
- Directions
What We Do
We use reliable and valid evaluation techniques, ranging from simple timed tests to computerized motion analysis, to quantify and improve mobility and quality of life in individuals limited by injury or disease. We seek to advance clinical care by rapidly translating our findings to clinicians who can use the results in their daily practice.
Research
Our current areas of study include:
- Carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses (CDOs)
- Prevention of post traumatic arthritis
- Development of novel gait training approaches
- Orthosis-related care for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Development of innovative methods to assess outcomes in the clinic
Clinical Impact
Medicine Iowa shares the story of Dr. Wilken's work with Dr. Charles Connerly who experienced bilateral amputation due to sepsis. The story highlights how ongoing research on carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses and collaborative approach can have an impact. Click here for the story.
Capabilities
Motek M-Gait virtual reality system
- Dual belt instrumented treadmill
- 240 degree cylindrical screen (with floor projection)
Gait analysis
- 45’ level ground walkway
- 21’ rocky terrain walkway
- 24 camera Vicon motion capture system
- 3 AMTI (AMTI Inc.) force plates
- 32 channel Delsys Trigno EMG system
- Novel LoadSol in-shoe force measurement
- Novel EMED plantar pressure system
Software
- D-Flow (MotekForcelink)
- Nexus (Vicon)
- Matlab (Mathworks)
- Visual 3D (C-Motion Inc.)
- OpenSim (Simbios)
Physical performance assessment and questionnaires: A range of non-computerized physical performance assessments, questionnaires, and patient reported outcomes are used to characterize individuals in areas such as physical function, pain, and fear of movement. These assessments include tests of balance, agility, power, and speed, among others.
Potential Participants: We are always seeking volunteers to participate in our research. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email us at wilkenlab@healthcare.uiowa.edu.
Applied Neuroplasticity Lab
Lab Director
Stacey L. DeJong, PT, PhD
Graduate Student
Lei Zhu, BS
Lab Location
0714 JPP, UIHC
Human Integrative and Cardiovascular Physiology Lab: Personnel
Director
Darren P. Casey, PhD, Director
Physician Support/Collaborators
Kenichi Ueda, MD, Medical Director (Anesthesia)
Andrew Feider, MD (Anesthesia)
Satoshi Hanada, MD (Anesthesia)
PhD Students
Kirsten Anderson, BMed
Faculty Mentor: Jason Wilken
Olga Dubey, MA
Faculty Mentor: Richard Shields
Timothy Fleagle, DPT
Faculty Mentor: Ruth Chimenti
Wesley Gari, BSE
Faculty Mentor: Jason Wilken
Adam Janowski, DPT
Faculty Mentor: Kathleen Sluka
Omid Khoshavi, MSc
Faculty Mentor: Laura Frey Law
Andrew Post, DPT
Faculty Mentor: Ruth Chimenti
Michael Shaffer, MPT, OCS, ATC
Faculty Mentor: Richard Shields
Chishan Shiao, DPT
Faculty Mentor: Richard Shields
Robert Wiederien, DPT
Faculty Mentor: Laura Frey Law
Lei Zhu, BS
Faculty Mentor: Stacey DeJong