Research: Cognitive Motor Neuroscience
Research in the Cognitive Motor Neuroscience Laboratory investigates neural and higher-level mechanisms underlying the selection, planning, learning, initiation, and execution of movement. Using an interdisciplinary approach, these processes are studied from infancy through the lifespan. Research programs include adaptive sensorimotor control and integration, exercise psychophysiology, neuromechanics, perceptual motor development, movement disorders, and computational motor neuroscience.
Faculty Research Interests:
Clark, Jane
Professor and Chair, Kinesiology
Research Focus : Developmental Motor Control, Motor Development, Movement Disorders
Research Summary : Jane E. Clark is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology. Her work focuses on understanding the development of movement control and coordination in motor skills. Using a dynamic systems approach, Dr. Clark and her colleagues have demonstrated that the newly walking infants limbs, like those of the adult walker, act like coupled nonlinear limit cycle oscillators at both the intralimb and interlimb levels of coordination. Her current work examines the role of sensory information in the development of upright posture and locomotion in infants.
Contreras-Vidal, Jose Luis
Associate Professor, Kinesiology
Research Focus : Brain Machine Interaction, Computational Motor Neuroscience, Motor Control, Motor Learning, Movement Disorders
Research Summary : My research program integrates behavioral and computational neuroscience methods to study the neural mechanisms and computational principles underlying adaptive sensory-motor control in humans during normal and neurological conditions. To accomplish the above goal we use infrared 3D motion recording, digitizing tablets, electromyography, high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), and computer simulations of large-scale, biologically-plausible, neural networks of motor systems including the spinal cord, fronto-parietal networks, the basal ganglia and the cerebellum.
Hatfield, Bradley
Professor, Kinesiology
Research Focus : Aging, Exercise Psychophysiology, Exercise and Genomics, Sport Psychology
Research Summary : The focus of Dr. Hatfield's program in exercise and sport psychology deals with both the health-related and performance-related aspects of humans in exercise/sport settings. The psychophysiological methodological approach is adhered to in order to attempt to describe possible mechanisms underlying the mental health aspects of exercise involvement. Additionally, performance-related issues have involved the study of hemispheric EEG activity in athletes of varying skill levels while performing in controlled environments to assess associated cognitive and emotive processes.
Haufler, Amy
Research Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
Introduction : Amy Haufler is a Research Assistant Professorin the Department of Kinesiology. Her research area is Cognitive Motor Neuroscience
Jeka, John J.
Professor, Kinesiology
Research Focus : Computational Motor Neuroscience, Motor Control, Movement Disorders, Sensorimotor Integration
Research Summary : In my laboratory, we study how the brain combines sensory information about the environment and one's own body movement to better understand patient populations with neurological disease and injury that lead to balance problems.
Kagerer, Florian
Research Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
Research Focus : Motor Control, Motor Development, Motor Learning, Movement Disorders
Introduction : My research program focuses on developmental aspects of 1) sensorimotor integration and adaptation, and 2) bimanual coordination and intermanual interactions, using behavioral and neurophysiological experimental techniques. One goal of this research is to better understand the motor problems of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
Kiemel, Tim
Research Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
Research Focus : Computational Neuroscience, Motor Control, Neural Modeling
Introduction : Research Areas : Cognitive Motor Neuroscience Research Focus : Computational Neuroscience, Motor Control, Neural Modeling
Oliveira, Marcio
Research Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
Research Focus : Motor Control, Motor Development, Movement Disorders
Introduction : Dr. Oliveira is interested in the neuromechanical factors affecting hand and finger force coordination and control. Age-related changes and experience have been examined using multi-digit pressing and prehension tasks to study the problem of "motor redundancy/abundance" and development of hand digit control in everyday manipulative tasks. His research population groups include infants, children, adults, elderly and patients with movement disorders. He is also studying the underlying development of finger force control strategies in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) by characterizing changes in the neuromechanics variables as motor control develops.
Shim, Jae Kun
Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
Research Focus : Aging, Biomechanics, Motor Control, Motor Development
Research Summary : Biomechanics, central nervous system (CNS) control, motor control, neuromechanics; Our research is currently focused on biomechanics and motor control of hand and digits as well as their applications to medicine, rehabilitation, and ergonomics. We are especially interested in understanding the CNS control of motor redundancy in multi-digit pressing and prehension, developments of manipulation coordination in typically developing children as well as children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and changes and intervention of manipulation coordination in elderly persons and persons with neurological/genetic disorders or stroke.
