Collaborators

PT, EdM, EdD, Director of Clinical Education and Clinical Assistant Professor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY, Doctoral student

Julie is a physical therapist with 30 years experience specializing in neurologic rehabilitation. She received her BA in Physical Therapy from University of Delaware in 1986. She received her MA and EdM degrees in Motor Learning & Control from Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

She completed her EdD degree with research investigating skill acquisition and dual task paradigms in subjects with Parkinson’s Disease patients. Julie's study, Evaluation of novel dual-task upper extremity assessment, evaluated the validiity and clinical applicability of a novel dual task assessment (C3T). This study was conducted in collaboration with Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.

When not working in the lab she enjoys spending time with her family, practicing karate and creating stained glass. 

MS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ed.D. student

Katrina Long is a licensed occupational therapist (OT) with a degree in master of science. She completed her Ed.D. in movement science, specializing in OT, at Teachers College during the winter of 2019. Katrina is a former Neurorehab Research Lab coordinator at Teachers College. She is a visiting instructor for the occupational therapy MS program in the Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at Columbia University. She has experience working as a clinical researcher and therapist primarily in stroke and Parkinson’s Disease neurorehabilitation. She has worked with patients across the spectrum of age and disability, though her doctoral work is focused on motor learning and control for functional independence in Parkinson’s Disease. Katrina is passionate about holistic health and movement of the human body. She enjoys serving her community and promoting sustainable healthy living. In her spare time, she is a certified yoga teacher and figure skater. 

International Collaborator

Kelly is in her third year of her doctoral program in Neuropsychology at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia after having previously completed a B.Psych and Honours degree also at Monash. Kelly joined the Neurorehabilitation Research Lab as an international collaborator, as she has a keen interest in the way psychological variables, particularly apathy, impact exercise and physical engagement. Kelly's research within the NRL lab explores the attitudes and experiences of exercise in HD and PD populations, with the aim of understanding how apathy may impact exercise interventions within this population.

Prior to commencing her doctoral degree, Kelly worked at a major public hospital in Melbourne on a number of drug trials proposed to improve cognition in people with Alzheimer's disease, sparking her interest in neurodegenerative diseases. In Australia, she coordinates undergraduate Psychology classes and lectures on psychological assessment and interventions in older adults. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, hiking and travelling.

Lab Collaborator

PhD, Research Associate

Ed.D. CSCS, NIH-funded (T32) postdoctoral fellow at CUMC

Ciarán Friel, Ed.D. CSCS is an NIH-funded (T32) postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University Medical Center, based in the Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health (CBCH). He works closely with Dr. Keith Diaz and his current research focus is on physical activity and sedentary behaviors, and their role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. He is currently running one of Dr. Diaz’s studies investigating the effect on blood sugar levels of breaking up prolonged periods of sitting with ‘movement breaks.’

Ciarán completed his doctorate in Applied Physiology at Teachers College, Columbia University and his research examined the characteristics of users of commercial wearable activity monitors and how these devices influence users’ behaviors. He is receiving ongoing training at CBCH in the application of accelerometry (including commercial wearable devices) to measure physical activity and sedentary behaviors, and in how to process and analyze this data most effectively in large population groups.

Prior to working at CBCH, Ciarán was a lecturer at Brooklyn College, and also spent a number of years as Medical Director at La Palestra Center for Preventative Medicine. His long-term research interests involve identifying key behavioral predictors of physical activity and determining where technology can be used to support personalized health behavior change programs.

Statistical Consultant

Xueyao Li is a statistical consultant at the Neurorehabilitation Research Laboratory. She graduated with her master's degree in statistics at Columbia University. She is currently involved with data analysis and visualizations for projects in the lab. She hopes to pursue a career in healthcare as a data analyst. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis and traveling.

Lab Collaborator

Agnes McConlogue Ferro PT, DPT, PCS is a Board Certified specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy. Agnes is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Stony Brook University’s Physical Therapy program and a practicing clinician. Agnes completed a Leadership and Education for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Fellowship and earned a Pediatric Certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment. Agnes was honored to receive National Dance Institute’s Teacher of the Year award and Stony Brook’s Faculty Honor Award. After completing 2 terms on the APTA's Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) for pediatrics, she recently completed a year-long training program with the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy’s Knowledge Broker Network (KBNet).

Agnes’ interest in research began with, and continues to be, the analysis of physical therapy goal-writing in the school setting. This work has been funded through a grant by the New York Physical Therapy Association and was published in Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics in 2009. Agnes has also authored the chapter, “Documentation in Pediatrics” in Documentation for Rehabilitation: A Guide to Clinical Decision Making, by Quinn & Gordon.

Her affiliation with National Dance Institute began in 1998 and continues as the co-creator/director of the Dancers Realize Excellence through Arts and Movement (DREAM) Project, an inclusive-based dance program highlighting abilities, partnerships and performance. She has completed research on the impact of DREAM for all participants and presented preliminary findings during the prestigious American Physical Therapy Association IV STEP conference. She was honored to give 2 presentations at The Kennedy Center VSA conference and to have, along with her collaborators, a manuscript entitled “Dancers Realize Excellence through Movement (DREAM): An Inclusive Program to Promote Participation in Children with Developmental Disabilities” published in Exemplary Programs and Approaches, Vol. 4. The Kennedy Center, NY. She is a firm believer in the power of the Arts, the power of collaboration and the power of every child’s capacity to accept… and to excel.

Agnes and Dr. Quinn, are in the data analysis phase of two IRB approved studies:

1. Utilization of a structured goal-setting process to promote functional and measurable outcomes in school-based physical therapy
2. Dancers Realize Excellence through Arts and Movement (DREAM): An inclusive dance program to promote participation in children with developmental disabilities

PhD, PT, DPT, NCS