This month, MRRI is excited to welcome a new postdoctoral fellow, Jonathan Wood, PhD. In his new role, Dr. Wood will be working with Aaron Wong, PhD, MRRI Institute Scientist and Director of the Cognitive-Motor Learning Laboratory.
Category: Blog
Language Research Collaborations Between MRRI and University College London Continue to Grow
Aphasia, a communication disorder which affects how we understand and use language, affects millions of individuals worldwide, with around one in three people experiencing some degree of aphasia following a stroke. The impact of aphasia on quality of life can be devastating, and the need for innovative, evidence-based and effective therapies is growing. An ongoing collaboration between the laboratories of University College London Professor of Psychology and MRRI Scientist in Residence Gabriella Vigliocco, PhD, and MRRI Institute Scientist Laurel Buxbaum, PsyD, has been exploring how linguistic communication that is enhanced with gestures and other visual cues may benefit the language comprehension and production of people with aphasia (PWA). One ongoing project being run at both sites employs a unique paradigm with interactive card games to capture ‘real life’ communication of PWA. In August, UCL PhD student Isobel Chick, MSc, and Professor Vigliocco visited MRRI’s Cognition and Action Laboratory to discuss the latest updates from the study with Dr. Buxbaum and postdoctoral fellow Amy Lebkuecher, PhD.
MRRI Researchers are Presenting at the National Academy of Neuropsychology
The mission of the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) is to advance neuropsychology as a science and health profession, to promote human welfare, and to generate and disseminate knowledge of brain-behavior relationships. NAN’s annual conference is being held in Philadelphia from October 25th-28th, providing the opportunity for MRRI researchers to attend and present research findings that are hot off the presses. Academic conferences provide an invaluable platform for scholars and researchers to present their work, receive constructive feedback, and refine their ideas, contributing to their professional growth. Conferences also provide a venue for emerging scholars to gain recognition in the field, leading to career advancement and new opportunities.
Former MRRI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Masahiro Yamada Begins New Faculty Position
Masahiro Yamada, PhD, began his postdoctoral fellowship at Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MRRI) in December 2020 under the guidance of his mentor, Shailesh Kantak, PT, PhD. At MRRI, Masahiro expanded his knowledge and expertise in neuroscience, utilizing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to elucidate motor control mechanisms of post-stroke patients.
MRRI Scientist in Residence Dr. Lyn Turkstra Visits the Institute
Scientific exchange and collaboration are often critical for developing and advancing world-class research programs. This was the motivation behind the development of MRRI’s Scientist in Residence program. Last month, MRRI was excited to welcome Lyn Turkstra, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-NCD(A), for an in-person visit to the Institute. Dr. Turkstra is a Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University, and she has been a Scientist in Residence at MRRI since 2019. During her visit, Dr. Turkstra connected with MRRI researchers including MRRI Associate Director, Amanda Rabinowitz, PhD, to work on collaborative research projects focused on cognition and communication after brain injury.
Meet MRRI Postdoc Alumnus John Medaglia, PhD
Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MRRI) is dedicated to training the next generation of researchers in neuroscience and neurorehabilitation, and the Institute is thrilled to continue to follow the outstanding careers and achievements of former trainees. From 2014-2016, John Medaglia, PhD, completed a joint postdoctoral fellowship at MRRI and the University of Pennsylvania as part of the MRRI/Penn T32 Postdoctoral Training Program. Continue Reading
Dr. Edwards Receives Grant to Study Potential Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury
MRRI is pleased to announce that Dylan Edwards, PhD, has been awarded a competitive grant from the Pennsylvania State Department of Health to conduct a translational research study using noninvasive brain stimulation to promote recovery in adults with spinal cord injury. For this study, Dr. Edwards has compiled a multidisciplinary team including MossRehab Clinicians, Thomas Jefferson University Biostatistics, and other leading basic and clinical researchers in the U.S. and abroad.
MRRI Welcomes Two New Scientific Advisory Board Members
-
- Lewis Wheaton, PhD
-
- Jennifer Bogner, PhD, ABPP, FACRM
MRRI maintains an active Scientific Advisory Board composed of diverse experts in relevant areas of neuroscience, neurorehabilitation, and research strategy. This Board provides valuable feedback on MRRI’s scientific research, as well as the Institute’s operations. This month, MRRI is excited to welcome two new members to the Scientific Advisory Board. Jennifer Bogner, PhD, ABPP, FACRM, from The Ohio State University and Lewis Wheaton, PhD, from Georgia Tech have recently accepted their invitations to join the Board, bringing the total number of Board Members up to seven.
Dr. Erica Middleton Receives NIH Grant to Further Study Retrieval Practice in Aphasia
MRRI is thrilled to announce that Erica Middleton, PhD, has been awarded a five-year R01 grant from the National Institute On Deafness And Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health to continue her research developing a theory of learning for aphasia rehabilitation that leverages retrieval practice.
Moss Conducts Collaborative Research with other TBI Model Systems Sites
Every Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model System cycle, each funded center proposes a multi-center research project to further our understanding of TBI outcomes and treatments. In the current cycle, Moss is enthusiastic to collaborate with our Model Systems colleagues on three exciting projects. Continue Reading