Speaker Series - Preventing Freezing of Gait using Wearable Robotics in Parkinson's Disease

June 11, 2024 7:00 PM EDT

We are honored to have three esteemed researchers presenting on Gait dysfunction. 

• Understand how Freezing of Gait impacts movement and walking in PD
• Explore the potential of next-generation wearable robotics to improve Freezing of Gait in people with PD. 
• Learn about ways to help us develop impactful solutions aimed at preventing Freezing of Gait using wearable robotics

About the Presenters

Franchino Porciuncula, PT, DScPT, EdD is a Research Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at Boston University.  Trained as a physical therapist and as a rehabilitation scientist, Dr. Porciuncula’s research focuses  on developing rehabilitation/exercise interventions by targeting biomechanical, cognitive, and behavioral processes of gait dysfunction. His research includes the development of wearable technologies through robotics and digital health solutions to promote sustainable and impactful outcomes in Parkinson’s disease (PD), stroke, and other movement disorders. 

Nicholas Wendel, PT, DPT, NCS: Nick is a physical therapist at the Center for Neurorehabilitation where he provides patient care and participates in research and education activities with persons with Parkinson disease and related movement disorders. Prior to joining the Center for Neurorehabilitation, he was a senior physical therapist at Newton-Wellesley Hospital where he provided physical therapy to patients with various neurologic conditions including Parkinson Disease, stroke, concussion, multiple sclerosis and individuals with balance dysfunction. 

Christina Lee, Ph.D. is a postdoctoral fellow in bioengineering at the Harvard Biodesign Lab. She received her Ph.D. in 2023 from The University of Michigan and her B.S. and M.S. in 2018 from Northwestern University, in biomedical engineering. Her research interests lie in understanding how individuals with neuromuscular impairment interact with assistive devices through the investigation of fundamental biomechanics and performance-related measures during device use in the lab and in the community.