Laboratory of Vestibular NeuroAdaptation
The Laboratory of Vestibular NeuroAdaptation investigates mechanisms of gaze stability in people with loss of vestibular sensation. A bulk of our research investigates motor learning in the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) using different types of error signals. In addition, we investigate the synergistic relationship between the vestibular and saccadic oculomotor systems as trainable strategies for gaze stability. We are particularly interested in developing novel technologies to assess and deliver improved rehabilitation outcomes. We are validating a hand-held computer tablet for assessment of sensorimotor function and participating in a clinical trial comparing traditional vestibular rehabilitation against a device developed in our laboratory that can unilaterally or bilaterally strengthen the VOR.
Members of the lab include physical therapists, physicians, engineers, statisticians and post-doctoral fellows. The laboratory is supported by generous grant funding from NASA, the NIH, the DOD and grateful patients.
Principal Investigator
Research Team
Jennifer Millar, M.S., P.T.
Ms. Millar is an expert clinician treating vestibular and neurologic disorders. She is engaged in all aspects of the laboratory’s research and serves as the study coordinator for the SARA (Sensorimotor Assessment and Rehabilitation Apparatus). Ms. Millar also assists with data collection and analysis.
Mark J. Shelhamer, Sc.D.
Dr. Shelhammer is an engineer with experience in sensorimotor adaptation, mathematical modeling and human adaptation to space flight. He patented the SARA technique for portable assessment.
Daniel Gold, D.O.
Dr. Gold is a neurologist with clinical expertise in neuro-ophthalmology and vestibular pathophysiology. He serves a critical role of assisting in the interpretation of the clinical and research data.
Dale Roberts, M.S.
Mr. Roberts is a computer engineer and computer programmer for the laboratory and maintains the computers and network in addition to being a valued scientific contributor, having expertise in oculomotor and vestibular behavior. He has programmed much of the tablet-based applications and software the laboratory uses.
Allison Nogi, DPT
Mrs. Nogi is an expert clinician treating conditions relevant for vestibular rehabilitation. She is engaged in all aspects of the laboratory’s research including assisting with data collection and analysis.
Colin Grove, P.T., Ph.D.
Dr. Colin Grove is a postdoctoral involved in all aspects of research conducted at the LVNA, having completed his Ph.D. in 2020. He is also an expert clinician treating conditions relevant for vestibular rehabilitation. He will be managing the clinical trial comparing traditional vestibular rehabilitation with a novel device developed in the LVNA.
Wagner De Souza Silva, P.T., Ph.D.
Dr. De Souza is a postdoctoral involved in all aspects of research conducted at the LVNA, having completed his Ph.D. in 2019. He is also a passionate educator.
Former Members of the Research Team
Elizabeth "Lizzy" Liu
Ms. Liu provided data collection and data analysis that investigated the gait in patients with central and peripheral vestibular pathology.
Yoav Gimmon, P.T., Ph.D.
Dr. Gimmon was a postdoctoral fellow involved in all aspects of research conducted at the laboratory. He is an expert in measures of gait kinematics. He collected and analyzed data as part of the SARA (Sensorimotor Assessment and Rehabilitation Apparatus) study. He examined plasticity of the VOR and the recovery of balance after vestibular implantation.
Charles Rohde, Ph.D.
Dr. Rohde is a biostatistician who provided oversight of all statistical analyses.
Funding Research
If you are interested in making a gift to continue this important research please contact the following:
Donna Clare, CFRE
Director of Development
[email protected]
410-955-0173
Make a gift online.