Dr. Wikstrom’s primary research interest is on the impact of musculoskeletal injury on sensorimotor control of the lower extremity with particular emphasis on the coordination of balance following ankle joint injury. His current research focuses on evaluating how ankle joint injury alters sensorimotor function, developing interventions to restore post-injury impairments, and understanding mechanisms that could slow the progression from ankle joint injury to ankle osteoarthritis. Dr. Wikstrom’s research has been funded by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Defense among others. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) and the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (FNATA).

Areas of interest: Locomotor learning and biomechanics of gait in individuals with neurologic disease

Dr. Baez’s research examines the impact of psychosocial factors on health outcomes after sport-related injury, with a focus on patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Her lab examines the impact of psychosocial factors on biological outcomes, such as neurocognitive function, biomechanical alterations, and secondary injury risk. Her lab also seeks to identify clinically feasible and novel psychosocial interventions to improve health outcomes. These techniques range from graded exposure therapies to virtual reality mindfulness meditation. Dr. Baez has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and other regional and national foundations to support her work. She is a member of AASP, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), was the recipient of the AASP Doctoral Dissertation Award in 2020, and the recipient of the ACSM New Investigator Award in 2023.

Areas of interest: Madi’s research interest includes better understanding the relationship between isolated capacities, task ability and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) development after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). He is specifically interested in identifying clinically relevant neuromuscular capacity thresholds throughout rehabilitation to guide patient trajectories as well as patient management after ACLR in order to mitigate the development of PTOA.

Areas of Interest: Identification of risk factors and development of screening techniques for injury risk reduction in military training populations

Dr. Monroe’s current research uses multimodal brain imaging to define novel measures of brain health in populations that are at risk for TBI and associated long-term sequelae (e.g., athletes, warfighters). His research interests include (i) the acute changes in brain structure and function after (sub)concussion, (ii) how those changes affect downstream brain development and brain aging, and (iii) how lifestyle factors—like sleep and physical activity—modify these trajectories.

Chair and Professor, Exercise and Sport Science
Associate Director, MOTION Science Institute

Areas of Interest: Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition; Muscle Activation

Dana McCarty is a pediatric physical therapist and clinical researcher dedicated to improving outcomes for high-risk infants and their families through developing and testing innovative physical therapy interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Her research began with a focus on cranial molding deformities, particularly dolichocephaly in preterm infants, where she led the first study to track its development and risk factors during hospitalization. She later demonstrated the effectiveness of a Midliner Positioning System in improving cranial outcomes. Building on her clinical insights, Danadeveloped and tested a therapist-led, parent-centered intervention to support both infant development and maternal mental health while pursuing a PhD in Maternal and Child Health. Her dissertation used mixed methods to identify barriers to maternal presence in the NICU, resulting in actionable, community-informed recommendations for institutions to increase maternal access to their infants in the NICU.

Dana’s work has also contributed to the broader field through her involvement in a multidisciplinary research consortium, where she helped identify key components of effective NICU-to-home interventions. Her current research, funded by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, explores an Immersive Therapy Model (ITM) designed to increase therapy dosage and parent-therapist interaction in the NICU. This model addresses disparities in care access, particularly for families with low socioeconomic status, by enabling more flexible and frequent engagement. Her research trajectory reflects a strong commitment to family-centered, evidence-based care that bridges clinical practice and public health.