My main areas of interest are motor control, neurophysiology and neuromodulation. My lab also performs experiments that overlap with other areas such as motor learning and adaptation, sensorimotor integration and rehabilitation.
For example, we investigate:
- Behavioural outcomes of processes related to preparation and initiation of actions
- Neural contributions to motor preparatory processes
- Brain stimulation techniques such as TMS and tDCS to modulate motor-related processes in healthy and motor-disordered individuals
Ongoing research
To date, my research has focused primarily on how one prepares quick actions that are completed in the absence of feedback. In the behavioural stream of this research, I have pioneered an emergent paradigm in the field of neuromuscular control in order to investigate response pre-programming that involves the use of an acoustic startling stimulus to involuntarily trigger prepared movements before they are initiated through voluntary response channels. This research has provided insight into when and under what circumstances we plan movements in advance. Secondly, in order to probe the brain activity and involved brain structures underlying these movements, my work employs neurophysiological methods and tools such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and EMG analyses. I also work with researchers in the use of EEG and fMRI. Finally, some of my work applies these techniques and findings to patients with Parkinson’s disease, in order to better understand how movement preparation is disrupted in disease states and to develop new interventions.
