Research

Studies Currently Recruiting

Balance and Falls in Parkinson's Disease (PDFALLS Flyer) (PDFALLS Contact)

Current Positions

Assistant Professor, 9/1/2020–

Department of Biomedical Informatics, Emory University School of Medicine

Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine

Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Tech

Assistant Professor, Research Track, 11/2013–8/31/2020

Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Tech

Education/Training

Post-Doc, Movement Disorders and Basal Ganglia Pathophysiology, 03/2016–present

Emory University Movement Disorders Center

Yerkes National Primate Research Center

Atlanta, GA

* NIH–Sponsored K25 Trainee

M.S., Clinical Research, 08/2014–07/2016

Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

* Thesis Title: A cross-sectional study of set shifting impairments and falling in individuals with and without Parkinson’s disease.

* NIH–Sponsored KL2 Scholar

* Second of only 2 engineers to receive the NIH KL2 fellowship at Emory at time of award

Post-Doc, Human Movement Science, 08/2010-10/2013

Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, 08/2003-07/2010

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.

* Dissertation Title: Neuromechanical constraints and optimality for balance.

Sc.M., Electrical Engineering, 08/2002-05/2004

Brown University, Providence, RI.

* Thesis Title: A low-power pipelined A/D converter for neural signals.

Sc.B., Electrical Engineering, 08/1998-05/2002

Brown University, Providence, RI.

Journal Papers (Peer Reviewed)

20. Perez Parra S, McKay JL, Factor SA, 2020. Diphasic worsening of Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's disease. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice in press. https://doi.org/10.1002/mdc3.12918.

19.  McKay JL, Goldstein FC, Sommerfeld B, Bernhard D, Perez Parra S, Factor SA, 2020. Freezing of Gait can persist after an acute levodopa challenge in Parkinson’s disease. npj Parkinson's disease 5: 25. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-019-0099-z. PDF

18.  Prime M, McKay JL, Bay A, Hart A, Kim C, Abraham A, Hackney ME, 2020. Differentiating Parkinson disease subtypes using clinical balance measures. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy 44(1):34-41. https://doi.org/10.1097/NPT.0000000000000297.

17.  Bong SM,^¶ McKay JL,^¶ Factor SA, Ting LH, 2019. Perception of whole-body motion during balance perturbations is impaired in Parkinson's disease and is associated with balance impairment. Gait and Posture 76:44-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.10.029.

16.*  McKay JL,^¶ Hackney ME,^¶ Factor SA, Ting LH, 2019. Lower‐limb rigidity is associated with frequent falls in Parkinson disease. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice 6(6): 446-451. PMID: 31392245. PDF

15.*  Lang KC, Hackney ME, Ting LH, McKay JL, 2019. Antagonist muscle activity during reactive balance responses is elevated in Parkinson’s disease and in balance impairment. PLoS ONE 14(1): e0211137. PMID: 30682098. PDF Protocol Video  Supporting Information  Supporting Data (CSV)

14.*  McKay JL, Lang KC, Ting LH, Hackney ME, 2018. Impaired set shifting is associated with previous falls in individuals with and without Parkinson's disease. Gait & Posture 62: 220-226. PMID: 29571090. PDF

13.  Hart A, Dillard R, Perkins M, Vaughan C, Kinlaw K, McKay JL, Waldrop-Valverde D, Hagen K, Wincek R, Hackney ME 2017. The DREAMS team: creating community partnerships through research advocacy training for diverse older adults. Educational Gerontology 43(9): 440-450. PMID: 30581249. PDF

12.^† Allen JA, McKay JL, Sawers A, Hackney ME, Ting LH, 2017. Increased neuromuscular consistency in gait and balance after successful mobility rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Neurophysiology 118(1): 363-373. PMCID: PMC5501921. PDF

11.  Sawers A, Bhattacharjee T, McKay JL, Hackney ME, Kemp CC, Ting LH, 2017. Small forces that differ with prior motor experience can communicate movement goals during human-human physical interaction. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 14(8). PMCID: PMC5282658. PDF

10.* McKay JL, Ting LH, Hackney ME, 2016. Balance, body motion and muscle activity after dance-based rehabilitation in individuals with Parkinson’s disease: a pilot study. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy 40(4):257-68. PMCID: PMC5025380. PDF Video Abstract

9.    Chen TL, Bhattacharjee T, McKay JL, Borinski JE, Hackney ME, Ting LH, Kemp CC, 2015. Evaluation by expert dancers of a robot that performs partnered stepping via haptic interaction. PLoS ONE 10(5):e0125179. PMCID: PMC4438977. PDF

8.    McKay JL, Welch TDJ, Vidakovic B, Ting LH, 2013. Statistically-significant contrasts between EMG waveforms revealed using wavelet-based functional ANOVA. Journal of Neurophysiology 109: 591-602. PMCID: PMC3545469. PDF Software (github)

7.    Sohn MH, McKay JL, Ting LH, 2013. Defining feasible bounds on muscle activation in a redundant biomechanical task: practical implications of redundancy. Journal of Biomechanics 46: 1363–1368. PMCID: PMC4021711. PDF 

6.    McKay JL, Ting LH, 2012. Optimization of muscle activity for task-level goals predicts complex changes in limb forces across biomechanical contexts. PLoS Computational Biology 8: e1002465. PMCID: PMC3325175. PDF Dataset S1.csv

5.    Bunderson NE, McKay JL, Ting LH, Burkholder TJ, 2010. Directional constraint of endpoint force emerges from hindlimb anatomy. Journal of Experimental Biology 213: 2131-2141. PMCID: PMC2878289. PDF

4.    McKay JL, Ting LH, 2008. Functional muscle synergies constrain force production during postural tasks. Journal of Biomechanics 41: 299-306. PMCID: PMC4350792. PDF

3.    McKay JL, Burkholder TJ, Ting LH, 2007. Biomechanical capabilities influence postural control strategies in the cat hindlimb. Journal of Biomechanics 40: 2254-2260. PMCID: PMC3137431. PDF

2.    Song Y-K, Patterson WR, Bull CW, Beals J, Hwang N, Deangelis AP, Lay C, McKay JL, Nurmikko AV, Fellows MR, Simeral JD, Donoghue JP, Connors BW, 2005. Development of a chipscale integrated microelectrode/microelectronic device for brain implantable neuroengineering applications. IEEE Trans Neur Sys Rehab Eng 13: 220-226. PMID: 16003903. PDF

1.    Patterson WR, Song Y-K, Bull CW, Ozden I, Deangellis AP, Lay C, McKay JL, Nurmikko AV, Donoghue JD, Connors BW, 2004. A microelectrode/microelectronic hybrid device for brain implantable neuroprosthesis applications. IEEE Trans BME 51: 1845-1853. PMID: 15490832. PDF

*corresponding author

^¶equal contributions

^†APSselect award for distinction in scholarship

Engineering Conference Papers (Peer Reviewed)

1.    Song YK, Patterson WR, Bull CW, Hwang NJ, Deangelis AP, Lay C, McKay JL, Nurmikko AV, Donoghue JD, Connors BW, 2004. Development of an integrated microelectrode/microelectronic device for brain implantable neuroengineering applications. IEEE EMBS 6: 4053-6. (2004). PMID: 17271189. PDF

Preprints (Not Peer Reviewed)

3.  McKay JL, Lang KC, Bong SM, Hackney ME, Factor SA, Ting LH, 2020. Abnormal center of mass control during balance is associated with falls in Parkinson's disease. BioRxiv 2020.01.27.921379 [Preprint]. January 28, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.01.27.921379. Preprint

2.  McKay JL, Bozzorg A, Nocera J, Hackney ME, 2017. The influence of Parkinson’s disease and neurotypical aging on cognitive performance among volunteers for an exercise-based rehabilitative intervention. BioRxiv 126607 [Preprint]. April 11, 2017. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1101/126607. Preprint

1.  McKay JL, 2017. Agreement between measurements of stance width using motion capture and center of pressure in individuals with and without Parkinson's disease. BioRxiv 122523 [Preprint]. March 30, 2017. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1101/122523. Preprint

^¶equal contributions

Review Articles

4.   Ting LH, Chiel HJ, Trumbower RD, Allen JL, McKay JL, Hackney ME, Kesar TM, 2015. Neuromechanical principles underlying movement modularity and their implications for rehabilitation. Neuron 86: 38-54. (2015). PMCID: PMC4392340. PDF

3.    Ting LH, Chvatal SA, Safavynia SA, and McKay JL, 2012. Review and perspective: neuromechanical considerations for predicting muscle activation patterns for movement. Int J Num Meth Biomed Eng 28: 1003-1014. (2012). PMCID: PMC4121429. PDF

2.    Ting LH, van Antwerp KW, Scrivens JE, McKay JL, Welch TDJ, Bingham JT, DeWeerth SP, 2009. Neuromechanical tuning of nonlinear postural control dynamics. Chaos 19: 026111-026112. (2009). PMCID: PMC2832047. PDF

1.    Ting LH, McKay JL, 2007. Neuromechanics of muscle synergies for posture and movement. Curr Opin Neurobiol 17: 622-628. (2007). PMCID: PMC4350235. PDF

Invited Talks

National and International

2.    21st Congress of the International Society for Electromyography and Kinesiology. Chicago, Il, USA. Altered sensorimotor transformations for balance in Parkinson’s disease. July 7, 2016.

1.    International Society for Posture and Gait Research Satellite Symposium, Akita, Japan. Feedback control of balance muscle activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease before and after Adapted Tango rehabilitation. June 22, 2013. Slides

Regional

7.    Georgia Chapter of the Gerontological Advance Practice Nurses Association (GA-GAPNA) Annual Statewide Conference, Atlanta, GA, USA. Neuromechanics of normal vs. impaired balance. March 14, 2020.

6.    APDA Center for Advanced Parkinson’s Disease Research at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. Abnormal center of mass control during balance is associated with falls in Parkinson disease. February 22, 2020.

5.    Emory Neuromodulation Technology Innovation Center, Atlanta, GA, USA. Current clinical applications of motion capture in Movement Disorders. November 19, 2019.

4.    ATL Neuromechanics Meeting, Atlanta, GA, USA. Impaired sensorimotor transformations for balance in Parkinson disease are associated with future falls. July 19, 2019.

4.    Georgia Clinical & Translational Science Conference, Braselton, GA, USA. KL2 Panel Discussion. February 22 – 23, 2018.

3.    Birmingham / Atlanta Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) Planning and Collaboration Meeting. Atlanta, GA, USA. Mechanisms of reactive balance and falls in Parkinson’s disease. April 20, 2016.

2.    Georgia Tech School of Applied Physiology. Mechanisms of reactive balance and falls in Parkinson’s disease. April 13, 2016.

1.    Atlanta VA RR&D Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation. A cross-sectional study of set shifting impairments and falling in individuals with and without Parkinson’s disease. April 6, 2016.

Departmental

10.    Emory Brain Health Center Research Day Data Blitz. Atlanta, GA, USA. New approaches to understanding balance and falls in movement disorders. April 14, 2018.

9.    Emory Biomedical Engineering Department Seminar Series. Atlanta, GA, USA. Understanding balance and falls at the patient and group level in Parkinson’s disease. November 17, 2017.

8.    Emory University Movement Disorders Group Research Retreat. Atlanta, GA, USA. Sensorimotor balance function to predict fall risk in Parkinson’s disease. December 3, 2016.

7.    Emory University Morris K. Udall Center for Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research. Balance control and falls in Parkinson's disease. 2015.

6.    Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience at Georgia Tech: Enabling Health through Technologies Workshop. Identifying functional improvements in balance after Parkinson’s disease neurorehabilitation. October 8, 2013.

5.    Emory University Morris K. Udall Center for Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research. Mechanisms of Improvement in Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation. 2013.

4.    Computational Neuroscience Biology Group, Emory University. Statistically-significant contrasts between EMG waveforms revealed using wavelet-based functional ANOVA. 2013.

3.    Emory University Morris K. Udall Center for Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research. Mechanisms of Improvement in Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation. 2012.

2.    Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech and Emory University. Neuromechanical Constraints and Optimality for Balance [PhD Defense]. 2010 Slides

1.    Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Georgia Tech and Emory University. The Nervous System Maps High-Dimension Sensory Information to Low-Dimension Motor Outputs during Postural Responses. 2009.

Community-based

10.    Invited Speaker, Emory University Merrie Boone Comprehensive Care Clinic for Parkinson’s Disease Lunch and Learn Series. Understanding falls at the patient and group level in Parkinson’s disease. August 1, 2019. Slides

9.    Invited Speaker, Emory-Udall Parkinson's Disease Center Community Conversations with Emory PD Researchers Series. Balance and Falls in PD. May 19, 2018. Slides

8.    Invited Speaker, Emory University Merrie Boone Comprehensive Care Clinic for Parkinson’s Disease Lunch and Learn Series. Balance Improvement in PD. January 4, 2018.

7.    Guest Blog Author, PD GLADIATORS: The Exercise Files. Are my kids going to get PD? January 19, 2017. Article

6.    Invited Speaker, Developing a Research Participation Enhancement and Advocacy Training Program for Diverse Seniors (DREAMS) Project. Analysis and Evaluation of Clinical and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research. May 5, 2016.

5.    Invited Speaker, Developing a Research Participation Enhancement and Advocacy Training Program for Diverse Seniors (DREAMS) Project. Mechanisms of reactive balance and falls in healthy aging and in Parkinson’s disease. March 14, 2016.     

4.    Invited Speaker, Wesley Woods Interactive Health Seminar, “Health, Wellness and Resiliency.” Balance Deficits, Falls, and Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease. May 12, 2015.

3.    Invited Speaker, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute: Robust and Resilient Aging: An Update on Healthy Aging Research. Motor Rehabilitation, PD, EMG measurement, and Biomedical Engineering. May 20, 2014.

2.    Invited Speaker, Conversations with Community Researchers, American Parkinson Disease Association, Georgia Chapter. Reactive Balance Control and Falls in Parkinson’s Disease. 2014.

1.    Invited Speaker, Conversations with Community Researchers, American Parkinson Disease Association, Georgia Chapter. Mechanisms of successful rehabilitation in Parkinson’s Disease. 2013.

Work Presented at Scientific Meetings

58.  McKay JL, Hatcher-Martin J, Howell JC, Hu WT, Factor SA. CSF biomarkers in Parkinson patients with and without freezing of gait. In: AAN 2020: 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy for Neurology, Toronto, Canada. April 25-May 1.

57. Martino G, McKay JL, De Groote G, Factor SA, Ting LH, 2020. Motion analysis of the pendulum test to assess rigidity in people with Parkinson’s disease. In: AAN 2020: 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy for Neurology, Toronto, Canada. April 25-May 1.

56.  Perez Parra S, McKay JL, Factor SA, 2020. Diphasic pattern of worsening of Freezing Gait (FOG). In: MDS-PAS 2020: 3rd Pan American Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Congress. Mami, Florida, USA. February 14-16.

55.  Martino G, Bong SM, McKay JL, De Groote F, Factor SA, Ting LH, 2019. Simulating the pendulum test to understand mechanisms of Parkinsonian rigidity In: ISB/ASB2019: XXVII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB2019)/ 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB2019). Calgary, Canada. July 31-August 4. Poster

54.  Martino G, McKay JL, Scorr L, Ting LH, 2019. The pendulum test to evaluate the mechanisms of rigidity in Parkinson’s disease. In: Emory University Brain Health Center Research Day, Atlanta, GA, June 29.

53.*  McKay JL, Lang KC, Bong SM, Hackney ME, Factor SA, Ting LH, 2019. Impaired sensorimotor transformations for balance in Parkinson disease are associated with future falls. In: ISPGR 2019: World Congress of the International Society for Posture & gait Research, Edinburgh, Scotland. June 30-July 4. Slides

52.  Factor SA, Alexander G, Sommerfeld B, Berhard D, McKay JL, Hanfelt J, John S, Goldstein FC, 2019. Levodopa responsiveness subtypes of Freezing of Gait: results using a levodopa test. In: AAN 2019: 71st Annual Meeting of the American Academy for Neurology, Philadelphia, PA, USA. May 4-10.

51.  McKay JL, Goldstein FC, Factor SA, 2019. Anxiety and depression are associated with levodopa-responsive, but not levodopa-unresponsive, freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease. In: AAN 2019: 71st Annual Meeting of the American Academy for Neurology, Philadelphia, PA, USA. May 4-10. PDF

50.  McKay JL, Lang KC, Bong S, Hackney ME, Ting LH, 2018. Sensorimotor transformations for balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease are temporally precise but spatially diffuse. In: Neuroscience 2018: 48th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. November 3-7. PDF

49.  Bong S, McKay JL, Factor SA, Ting LH, 2018. Impaired directional perception of perturbations to standing is associated with balance impairment in people with Parkinson’s disease. In: Neuroscience 2018: 48th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. November 3-7. PDF

48.  Prime M, McKay JL, Hart AR, Kim C, Wolf SL, Hackney ME, 2018. Association between Parkinson Subtypes and Tests of Physical Function: the 360 Degree Turn Test is Most Predictive. In: ANA2018: 143rd Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association, Atlanta, GA, USA. October 21-23.

47.  Factor SA, Alexander G, Sommerfeld B, Bernhard D, McKay JL, Hanfelt J, John S, Goldstein FC, 2018. Levodopa Responsiveness of Freezing of Gait: Results Using a Levodopa Test. In: ANA2018: 143rd Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association, Atlanta, GA, USA. October 21-23. PDF

46.  Goldstein FC, McKay JL, Sommerfeld B, John SE, Alexander GE, Factor SA, 2018. Cognitive correlates of levodopa unresponsive versus responsive freezing of gait subtypes. In: ANA2018: 143rd Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association, Atlanta, GA, USA. October 21-23.

45.  McKay JL, Goldstein FC, Factor SA, 2018. Anxiety and depression are associated with levodopa-responsive freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease. In: ANA2018: 143rd Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association, Atlanta, GA, USA. October 22. Poster M243. PDF

44.  Bong S, McKay JL, Factor SA, Ting LH, 2018. Impaired directional perception of whole body perturbations in people with Parkinson’s disease may contribute to balance impairment. In: ANA2018: 143rd Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association, Atlanta, GA, USA. October 21-23. Poster S236. PDF

43.  McKay JL, Hackney ME, Factor SA, Ting LH, 2018. Lower-limb rigidity, but neither upper-limb nor neck rigidity is associated with frequent falls in Parkinson’s disease. In: ANA2018: 143rd Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association, Atlanta, GA, USA. October 21-23. Poster M247. PDF

42.  McKay JL, Lang KC, Ting LH, Hackney ME, 2018. Impaired set shifting is associated with previous falls in individuals with and without Parkinson’s disease. In: Emory University Brain Health Center Research Day, Atlanta, GA, April 14. PDF

41.  Bong S, McKay JL, Factor SA, Ting LH, 2018. Impaired directional perception of whole body perturbations in people with Parkinson’s disease may contribute to balance impairment. In: Emory University Brain Health Center Research Day, Atlanta, GA, April 14.

40.  Bong S, McKay JL, Factor SA, Ting LH, 2018. Impaired directional perception of whole body perturbations in people with Parkinson’s disease may contribute to balance impairment. In: Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neural Control of Movement, Santa Fe, NM, USA. May 1-4.

39.  Lang, KC, McKay JL, Hackney ME, Ting LH, 2018. Abnormal antagonist activation during reactive balance is associated with Parkinson's disease, age, and balance ability. In: Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neural Control of Movement, Santa Fe, NM, USA. May 1-4. PDF

38.  Factor SA, Alexander G, Sommerfeld B, Bernhard D, McKay JL, Hanfelt J, John S, Goldstein FC, 2018. Levodopa Responsiveness of Freezing of Gait: Results Using a Levodopa Test. In: Freezing of Gait 2018. Leuven, Belgium. June 6-8. PDF

37.  McKay JL, Goldstein F, Factor SA, 2018. Association of anxiety and depression with FOG subtype in Parkinson’s disease. In: Freezing of Gait 2018, Poster 113. Leuven, Belgium. June 6-8. PDF

36.  Bong S, McKay JL, Factor SA, Ting LH, 2018.  Directional Perception of Whole Body Perturbations is Impaired in People with Parkinson’s Disease. In: Freezing of Gait 2018, Poster 136. Leuven, Belgium. June 6-8. PDF Protocol Video

35.  Lang KC, McKay JL, Hackney ME, Ting LH, 2017. Antagonist muscle activity in postural responses to support-surface translations in exercise-study-eligible people with Parkinson's disease and neurotypical older adults. In: 2017 World Congress of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research. Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. June 25-29.

34.  McKay JL, Lang KC, Ting LH, Hackney ME, 2017. A cross-sectional study of set shifting impairments and falling in individuals with and without Parkinson's disease. In: 2017 World Congress of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research. Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. June 25-29.

33.  McKay JL, Ting LH, Hackney ME, 2016. Changes in balance body motion and muscle activity after Adapted Tango rehabilitation for Parkinson's disease. In: Fifth Annual Symposium on Regenerative Rehabilitation, Atlanta, GA. October 14-16.

32.  Lang KC, McKay JL, Hackney ME, Ting LH, 2016. Does effective Adapted Tango rehabilitation improve postural response modulation across stance widths in individuals with Parkinson's disease? In: Fifth Annual Symposium on Regenerative Rehabilitation, Atlanta, GA. October 14-16.

31.  McKay JL, Welch TDJ, Vidakovic B, Ting LH, 2016. Statistically-significant contrasts between EMG waveforms revealed using wavelet-based functional ANOVA. In: Fifth Annual Symposium on Regenerative Rehabilitation, Atlanta, GA. October 14-16.

30.* McKay JL, Welch TDJ, Vidakovic B, Ting LH, 2016. Wavelet-based functional ANOVA to reveal statistically-significant contrasts between EMG waveforms recorded in different experimental conditions. In: XXI Congress of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology, Chicago, Il. July 5-8.

29.  Lang KC, McKay JL, Hackney ME, & Ting LH, 2016. Leg muscle modulation during balance recovery in older adults with and without Parkinson’s disease. In: Translational Science 2016. Washington, DC. April 13-15.

28.  McKay JL, Ting LH, 2015. Altered Sensorimotor Transformations for Balance In Parkinson’s Disease. In: Brain States: Characterization and Neuromodulation by DBS. Cologne, Germany. October 11-13. PDF

27.  Zhu T, McKay JL, Payne A, Ting LH, Clifford G, 2015. Crowdsourced annotation of EMG onset times in healthy individuals and Parkinson disease. In: 2015 World Congress of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research. Seville, Spain. June 28-July 2. PDF

26.  Lang KC, McKay JL, Hackney ME, Ting LH, 2015. Does effective adapted tango rehabilitation improve postural response scaling in individuals with Parkinson’s disease? In: 2015 World Congress of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research. Seville, Spain. June 28-July 2.

25.  McKay JL, Ting LH, Hackney ME, 2015. Improved balance body motion and muscle activity after dance-based rehabilitation in individuals with Parkinson’s disease: a preliminary study. In: Society for the Neural Control of Movement 2015, Satellite Meeting: Neural Mechanisms of Rehabilitation. Charleston, SC. April 20.

24.  McKay JL, Ting LH, Hackney ME, 2015. Improved balance body motion and muscle activity after dance-based rehabilitation in individuals with Parkinson’s disease: a preliminary study. In: Translational Science 2015. Washington, DC. April 16-18.

23.  Song YS, Chen TL, Bhattacharjee T, McKay JL, Hackney ME, Kemp CC, Ting LH, 2015. Human Arms Remove Energy During Partnered Stepping Tasks with a Robot Follower. In: Piper Health Solutions Workshop on Rehabilitation Robotics. Phoenix, AZ, USA, February 13-14.

22.  Allen JA, McKay JL, Hackney ME, & Ting LH, 2014. Recruitment of subcortical muscle synergies during balance and walking in individuals with Parkinson’s disease can be improved through rehabilitation. In: Society for Neuroscience. Washington, DC, USA. November 15-19.

21.  Lang KC, McKay JL, Compton H, Harris M, Perry, J, Roberts, C, Hackney, ME, Ting LH, 2014. Does successful adapted tango rehabilitation improve postural response scaling in individuals with Parkinson’s disease? In: Society for Neuroscience. Washington, DC, USA. November 15-19. PDF

20.  Allen JA, McKay JL, Ting LH, 2014. Rehabilitation improves generalization of muscle synergies across balance and walking in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. In: 7th World Congress of Biomechanics. Boston, Massachusetts, July 6-11.

19.  Lang KC, Ting LH, McKay JL, 2014. Support surface acceleration affects tibialis anterior onset latency during support surface translation perturbations. In: 2014 World Congress of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, June 29-July 3. PDF

18.* McKay JL, Welch TDJ, Vidakovic B, Ting LH, 2014. Wavelet-based functional ANOVA to reveal statistically-significant contrasts between EMG and kinematics recorded in different experimental conditions. In: 2014 World Congress of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, June 29-July 3.

17.  McKay JL, Ting LH, & Hackney ME, 2014. Adapted tango alters center of mass displacement and muscular activity during reactive balance in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. In: 2014 World Congress of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, June 29-July 3.

16.* Ting LH, McKay JL, Hackney ME, 2014. Exercise-based neurorehabilitation improves sensorimotor responses to perturbation in individuals with Parkinson's disease. In: 24th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neural Control of Movement. Amsterdam, The Netherlands, April 22-25.

15.* McKay JL, Ting LH, Hackney ME, 2013. Feedback control of balance muscle activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease before and after adapted tango rehabilitation. In: 2nd Joint World Congress of ISPGR and Gait & Mental Function. Akita, Japan, June 22-26.

14.  Chen TL, McKay JL, Bhattacharjee T, Hackney ME, Kemp CC, Ting LH, 2013. Partnered human-robot stepping based on interactive forces at the hand. In: Piper Health Solutions Workshop on Rehabilitation Robotics. Phoenix, AZ, USA, February 22-23.

13.  McKay JL, Huang M, Chen TL, Bhattacharjee T, Hackney ME, Kemp CC, Ting LH, 2013. A simple model of dynamic interaction forces during human-robot partnered motion. In: Piper Health Solutions Workshop on Rehabilitation Robotics. Phoenix, AZ, USA, February 22-23. PDF

12.  Chen TL, McKay JL, Bhattacharjee T, Hackney ME, Kemp CC, Ting LH, 2012. Partnered human-robot stepping based on interactive forces at the hand. In: American Society of Biomechanics. Gainesville, FL, USA, August 15-18.

11.  Sohn MH, McKay JL, Ting LH, 2012. Biomechanics constrains variability in spatial structure of muscle coordination for endpoint force generation. In: American Society of Biomechanics. Gainesville, FL, USA, August 15-18.

10.  McKay JL, Welch TDJ, Vidakovic B, Ting LH, 2012. Statistically-significant contrasts between EMG waveforms revealed using wavelet-based functional ANOVA. In: American Society of Biomechanics. Gainesville, FL, USA, August 15-18.

9.    McKay JL, Welch TDJ, Vidakovic B, and Ting LH, 2011. A method to determine statistically-significant differences between EMG waveforms in the time domain using wavelet-based functional-ANOVA. Program No. 812.03. In: Society for Neuroscience. Washington, D.C., USA.

8.*  McKay JL, Ting LH, 2010. Muscle synergies produce expensive behavioral biases during postural control. In: Society for the Neural Control of Movement. Naples, Florida, USA.

7.    McKay JL, Ting LH, 2010. Muscle synergies reflect optimal control of task-level variables during balance. In: Society for Neuroscience. San Diego, CA, USA. PDF

6.    McKay JL, Ting LH, 2009. The nervous system maps high-dimension sensory inflow to low-dimension motor outputs during postural responses. In: Advances in Computational Motor Control 8. Chicago, IL, USA, November 11. PDF

5.    McKay JL, Ting LH, 2009. Muscle synergy dimensionality is independent of perturbation dimensionality during postural control. Program No. 81.7. In: Society for Neuroscience. Chicago, IL, USA, November 12-16.

4.    McKay JL, Ting LH, 2007. Coordinating muscles and limbs for postural control in the cat. In: Eighth International Congress of Neuroethology. Vancouver, BC. PDF

3.    McKay JL, Torres-Oviedo G, Ting LH, 2007. Neuromechanical modeling of functional muscle synergies for postural control in the cat. In: American Society of Biomechanics. Palo Alto, CA.

2.    McKay JL, Ting LH, 2005. Influence of limb biomechanics on the force constraint strategy for postural control. Program No. 868.8. In: Society for Neuroscience. Washington DC, USA, November 12-16.

1.    McKay JL, Ting LH, 2004. Variation in individual muscle contributions to endpoint force as a function of limb posture and kinematics. Program No. 306.18. In: Society for Neuroscience. San Diego, CA, USA, October 23–27.

*designates podium presentations

^†designates presentations scheduled but not yet presented

Computer Programs / Datasets

2.    McKay JL, Welch TDJ, Vidakovic B, Ting LH, 2015. wfANOVAdemo.zip. [Dataset and sample code]. This file includes experimental data and Matlab code to recreate the primary data figure in McKay, et al., 2013. Available from: https://github.com/jlucasmckay/wfANOVA

1.    McKay JL, 2015. Dataset S1.csv [Dataset]. Jan 12, 2015. This file includes musculoskeletal models used in McKay and Ting, 2012. Available from: https://github.com/jlucasmckay/cat-balance

Service

Grant Review

2020, Reviewer, Musculoskeletal, Oral, Skin, Rheumatology, and Rehab Sciences [MOSS] ZRG1 MOSS-D10 (Small Business) Review Panel, National Institutes of Health

2019, 2020, Reviewer, Chronic Medical Conditions & Aging [RRD6] review panel, Rehabilitation Research & Development service, US Department of Veterans Affairs

2019, Reviewer, Musculoskeletal, Oral, Skin, Rheumatology, and Rehab Sciences [MOSS] ZRG1 MOSS-D1 (R15 AREA) Review Panel, National Institutes of Health

Departmental Service

2018–, Ad hoc KL2-K12 fellowship proposal reviewer, Georgia Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute

2018, Ad hoc pilot proposal reviewer, Emory University Research Council

2018–, Brain Health Center tour coordinator, Emory/Georgia Tech BME Graduate Recruiting Weekend

2017–2018, Member, Innovation Forum Committee, Emory Neuromudulation and Technology Innovation Center (ENTICe)

2016–2017, Organizer, Freezing of Gait Journal Club, Emory University Movement Disorders Clinic

Professional Society Service

Editorships and Editorial Boards

2019–, Academic Editor, PLoS ONE

Memberships

American Neurological Association

American Academy of Neurology

American Society of Biomechanics

IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society

International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

International Society for Gait & Posture

International Society for Electrophysiology and Kinesiology

Society for the Neural Control of Movement

Society for Neuroscience

Positions

2018, Ad hoc reviewer, 40th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society

2016, Co-chair, EMG: Signal Processing Symposium Session, 21st Congress of the International Society for Electromyography and Kinesiology. Chicago, Il, USA

2013, Co-organizer, Satellite Symposium, 2nd Joint World Congress of ISPGR and Gait & Mental Function

2013, Ad hoc abstract reviewer, COSYNE

2008, Treasurer, IEEE EMBS Atlanta Chapter

Manuscript Review

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

European Journal of Neuroscience

Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience

Gait & Posture

IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (TBME)

IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics

Journal of Applied Physiology

Journal of Biomechanics

Journal of Neurophysiology

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation

Journal of Theoretical Biology

Neuroscience

PLoS ONE

Scientific Reports

Simulation Practice and Theory

Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation

Transactions on Neural Systems & Rehabilitation Engineering

Community Organization Service

2017–18, Clinical Research Liaison, PD GLADIATORS (now Parkinson's Foundation Georgia)

Teaching

Emory University Department of Neurology

2.    Emory University School of Medicine Neurology PGY1-4 Residents. “Gait analysis.” [Neurology resident lecture.] April 21, 2017.

1.    Emory University School of Medicine Movement Disorders Fellows. “Biostatistics in SPSS.” [Movement Disorder Fellow Lecture.] June 2, 2017.

Emory University Division of Physical Therapy

2.    Emory University DPT971: Health in Aging: Patient Care in the 21^st Century. “Understanding causes of falls at the patient and group level in Parkinson's disease.” [DPT student lecture.] September 15, 2017.

1.    Emory University DPT915: Clinical Research I and II. 2016-2019 (Instructor), 2012-2014 (Co-Instructor).

*Responsibilities include 1-hour weekly formal lecture, thesis supervision, and development of formal didactic materials on scholarship, biostatistics, study design, experimental methodologies.

Emory University Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

1.    Emory University BMI 500: Introduction to Biomedical Informatics. “Time series analysis and statistical inference using neurophysiological data.” [Graduate student lecture.] November 14, 2016.

Georgia Institute of Technology Department of Biomedical Engineering

5.    Georgia Tech BME2250: Problems in Biomedical Engineering. “Parkinson’s disease.” [Undergraduate lecture.] 2018–.

4.    Georgia Tech BMED 8813: Advanced Seminar. [Ad hoc graduate student review article reader.] Spring 2018.

3.    Georgia Tech BMED8823: Special Topics: Clinical Experiences for Engineers. “Clinical neurology and brain health.” [Graduate student lecture.] 2017–.

2.    Georgia Tech BMED7610: Quantitative Neuroscience. “Optimization during hierarchical control of muscles and limbs for balance.” [Graduate student lecture.] October 29, 2013.

1.    Georgia Tech BMED3400: Introduction to Biomechanics. Head Teaching Assistant. Fall 2010.

Brown University Department of Electrical Engineering

2.    Brown University EN163: Digital Electronic Systems Design. Head Teaching Assistant. Spring 2003.

1.    Brown University EN162: Analysis and Design of Electronic Circuits. Head Teaching Assistant. Fall 2002.

Mentoring

Visiting Scientists

Maryamnaz Zaribaf, M.D. (2015–2016). Currently in medical residency.

Doctoral thesis committees

Aiden Payne (2016–2019); Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Jeonghee Kim (2016–2017); Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Kimberly Lang (2015–2019); Graduate Division in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University

Emory Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) Research Groups

5.    Maggie Brogan, Matthew Kilgore, Shantha Nithiananda, Helen Williford; 09/2018–05/2019. Project: Predictive Value of Mini-BESTest Subdomains for Future Falls in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease (Poster)

4.    Caitlyn Behling, Kierstan Jacobs, Emily Rift, Susan Su, Molly Volden; 09/2017–05/2018. Project: Reactive Postural Control on the Mini-BEST is differentially associated with Fall History in Parkinson’s Disease (Poster)

3.    Morgan Bridges, Meredith Ehrenheim, Kristin Muldowney, Madison Ryan, Meghan Stanley; 09/2016–05/2017. Project: Assessment of gait abnormalities in individuals with Parkinson’s disease with and without suspected cholinergic deficits (Poster)

2.    Holly Compton, Meg Harris, Jessica Perry, Caroline Roberts; 09/2013–05/2014.

1.    Mitchell McCall, Keaton Kramer, Courtney Pope, Austin Ruedrich (winner of the Pamela Catlin Research Award for her work on the affiliated project); 09/2012–05/2013.

Emory Rollins School of Public Health MPH Students (Research Experience and Learning, "REAL")

3.    Glendadora Dolce (2019–2020): Environmental Health, RSPH.

2.    Livvy Shafer (2018–2019): Epidemiology, RSPH.

1.    Chrystelle Kiang (2017–2018): Epidemiology, RSPH.

Undergraduate Students

3.    Tess Greene (Summer 2018): Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech.

2.    Alvince Pongos (Summer 2016): Applied Mathematics, Emory University. Currently: software consultant / information analyst, Allan Levey, MD, PhD.

1.    Benjamin Wibonele (Summer 2016): Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech. Currently attending Morehouse School of Medicine.

Professional Courses Attended

2017, NIH NRMN (National Research Mentoring Network) training course, provided by ACTSI

2013, NIH TIGRR (Training in Grant Writing in Rehabilitation Research) fellow

Honors and Awards

2017, APSselect award for distinction in scholarship, American Physiological Society (Article #12 above)

2016-2017, Clinical Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Award, National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH/NINDS)

2015, Burroughs-Wellcome Fund Trainee Travel Award

2014–2016, Clinical Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Award, National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH/NINDS)

2014-2016, KL2 Mentored Clinical and Translational Research Scholar Award, NIH/Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute (ACTSI)

2004, Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Society, inducted

2003-2007, President’s Fellowship, Georgia Institute of Technology

2001, Tau Beta Pi, Engineering Honor Society, inducted

News and Press

5.    American Physiological Society. (2017). Most Mentioned Recent Articles: Increased neuromuscular consistency in gait and balance after partnered, dance-based rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease (Altmetric Score = 176) [Journal of Neurophysiology August 2017 Newsletter]. Retrieved from http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1117133343078&ca=387bc6ad-e2e8-4fdd-a2df-1299809e8be7

4.    American Physiological Society. (2017). Increased neuromuscular consistency in gait and balance after partnered, dance-based rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease [Journal of Neurophysiology Podcast]. Retrieved from https://jneurophysiol.podbean.com/e/increased-neuromuscular-consistency-in-gait-and-balance-after-partnered-dance-based-rehabilitation-in-parkinsons-disease/

3.    Atlanta Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. (2016). Recent KL2 Scholar and MSCR Graduate Dr. Lucas McKay Receives NIH K25 Award [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.actsi.org/news-and-events/news/2016/mckay-receives-nih-k23-award/index.html

2.    Woodruff Health Sciences Center. (2016). Research shows Adapted Tango program alters balance control in Parkinson's disease patients [Press release]. Retrieved from http://news.emory.edu/stories/2016/10/ting_mckay_tango_study/index.html

1.    Woodruff Health Sciences Center. (2016). NIH grants support research on balance in Parkinson's and other diseases [Press release]. Retrieved from http://news.emory.edu/stories/2016/10/mckay_lucas_grants/index.html

Current Grant Support

Emory Udall Center Pilot Project, Buetefisch, PI; 03/01/2020–02/28/2021

A quantitative, mechanistic approach to improve the understanding of the effects of deep brain stimulation therapy on gait in Parkinson’s disease

Objectives: To identify acute and chronic effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on gait outcomes measured in a clinical setting.

Role: Co-I

Total Direct Costs: $30K

VA Merit, Hackney, PI; 09/2019–08/2024

Partnered dance aerobic exercise as a neuroprotective, motor, and cognitive intervention in Parkinson’s disease.

Objectives: Randomized controlled trial of partnered exercise-based rehabilitation to improve motor-cognitive integration and slow neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.

Role: Co-I

Total Direct Costs: $1.1M

APDA Center for Advanced Research at Emory University, Wichmann, PI; 09/2019-08/2020

Objectives: This proposal will support ongoing pilot project funding for Parkinson's disease research at Emory University. In year 1, Dr. Mckay will conduct a pilot study comparing sensorimotor control of balance in neurocognitively normal PD patients with that in those with Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). The other pilot study in year one will use advanced imaging approaches to identify biomarkers of PDD and related conditions.

Role: PI, Pilot Study 2

Direct costs: $30k to McKay 

NIH K25HD086276, McKay, PI; 09/2016–09/2020

Neural mechanisms of balance deficits, falls, and freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease

NIH/NICHD/NCMRR Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award

Research Objectives: To translate analyses of balance control developed in animal models and healthy young individuals to identify new predictors of fall risk among PD patients and to understand determinants of freezing of gait. Training Objectives: To provide the PI with didactic and mentored training in PD pathophysiology and clinical management.

Role: PI

Primary Mentors: Thomas Wichmann, M.D., Stewart Factor, D.O.

Total Direct Costs: $509K

NIH 1R01AG062691, Hackney, PI; 06/2019–03/2024

Partnered Rhythmic Rehabilitation for Enhanced Motor-Cognition in Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease

Objective: To compare the effects of partnered, rhythmic rehabilitation and walking rehabilitation for people with prodromal Alzheimer's disease on motor-cognitive integration.

Role: Co-I

Total Project Cost: $3.3M

NIH R01HD046922, Ting, PI; 09/2017–05/2022

Neuromechanical modeling of postural responses: mechanisms of balance impairments in Parkinson's disease

Objectives: To use novel computational and experimental techniques to advance mechanistic understanding of how muscle rigidity, a cardinal sign of PD, contributes to balance impairments in carefully-selected akinetic/rigid PD patients.

Role: Co-I

Total Direct Costs: $2.2M

Past Grant Support

NIH KL2TR000455 and UL1TR000454, Stephens, PI; 08/2014–07/2016

NIH/NCATS Mentored Clinical and Translational Research Scholar Award

Reactive balance to identify disease phenotypes and predict falls in Parkinson’s disease

Research Objectives: to compare reactive balance control in tremor-dominant (TD) and postural instability and gait dominant (PIGD) PD phenotypes and to obtain preliminary data on associations between reactive balance deficits and fall risk in a small sample of PD patients. Training Objectives: to provide the KL2 scholar with didactic training in clinical research design, biostatistical analysis, and epidemiology.

Role: KL2 Scholar

Total Direct Costs: $115K to McKay

NIH R21HD075612-02, Ting, PI; 08/2013–05/2015

Mechanisms of improvement in neurorehabilitation of Parkinson's Disease

NIH/NICHD/NCMRR Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award                                                

Objective: To differentially identify mechanisms of adaptation during perturbed balance control before and after an adapted tango intervention.

Role: Co-I

Total Direct Costs: $325K

Pilot Grant, McKay, Hackney, co-PIs; 04/2012–03/2013

Emory-Udall Parkinson's Disease Center / ACTSI

Mechanisms of balance improvement during Parkinson’s disease rehabilitation

Objective: to investigate brainstem-mediated mechanisms of enhanced postural control after motor rehabilitation in individuals with PD in the “ON” medication state.

Role: Co-PI

Total Direct Costs: $35K

Grants Submitted

Emory University

CRCNS Research Proposal, Ting/McKay/De Groote/Desloovre, PIs; 09/01/2019–08/31/2024

CRCNS Research Proposal: Collaborative Research: Neuromechanical models of muscle tone and reflex contributions to neurological movement disorders.

Objectives: to develop generalizable mechanistic models and automated assessment tools for spasticity in cerebral palsy and Parkinsonian rigidity.

Role: Co-PI

Submitted: 11/2019

Total Direct Costs: $2.1M

R01, Factor, PI; 07/01/2020–06/30/2020

Impact of catecholamines and amyloid on cognition and freezing gait in Parkinson disease.

This project will use neuropsychological testing, neuromelanin MRI and PIB-PET imaging, and CSF analysis to characterize levodopa unresponsive freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease.

Role: Co-I

Submitted: 10/2019

Total Project Cost: $3.7M 

R01NS112250-01A1, McKay, PI; 04/01/2020–03/31/2025

Neural mechanisms of falls in de novo Parkinson’s disease and STN DBS patients.

Objectives: 1) To test whether new biomarkers of impaired control of the Center of body Mass (CoM) during balance tasks are predictive of "first falls" in people with newly-diagnosed PD; 2) To test whether impaired CoM control during balance responds to therapeutic deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS); 3) To evaluate the impact going through functional neurosurgery has on the rate of falls experienced by PD patients referred to STN DBS surgery.

Role: PI

Submitted: 10/2018

Percentile: 31

Resubmitted: 7/2019

Total Direct Costs: $2.2M

Pilot Grant, Martino, PI; 2019-2020

Assessment of Parkinsonian rigidity through experimental and simulation analysis of the pendulum test

Objectives: Pilot study to quantify lower limb rigidity using kinematic motion capture and biomechanical simulation in a laboratory environment and via mobile phone video.

Role: Co-I

Submitted: 3/2019

Total Direct Costs: $30k

R01, Hackney, PI; 09/01/2019–08/31/2024

Assaying biological central and peripheral biomarkers of neuroprotection from Partnered Aerobic Exercise in Parkinson's disease

Objectives: Randomized controlled trial of partnered exercise-based rehabilitation to reduce OFF time and improve other markers of progression in PD patients with motor fluctuations.

Role: Co-I

Submitted: 2/2019

Total Project Cost: $3.7M

CRCNS Research Proposal, Ting/De Groote, PIs; 09/01/2019–08/31/2024

Collaborative Research: Mechanistic models for dissociating muscle tone and reflex contributions to movement in neurological disorders.

Objectives: to develop generalizable mechanistic models and automated assessment tools for spasticity in cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury, as well as Parkinsonian rigidity.

Role: Co-PI

Submitted: 11/2018

Total Direct Costs: $1.7M

Emory Udall Center Pilot Proposal, Hackney, PI; 07/01/2018–06/28/2019

Dance-based rehabilitation and dietary modification to improve patient experience of drug efficacy in Parkinson’s disease 

Objectives: To test whether diet modification is a successful adjuvant to exercise-based rehabilitation in improving OFF times in PD.

Role: Co-I

Submitted: 03/2018

Total Direct Costs: $30K

Georgia CTSA Pilot Proposal, Scorr, PI; 07/01/2018–06/28/2019

Next generation diagnosis and measurement metrics for cervical dystonia

Objectives: To develop and test quantitative kinematic outcome measures for cervical dystonia before and after best medical therapy.

Role: Co-I

Submitted: 03/2018

Total Direct Costs: $30K

Emory Brain Health Initiative Pilot Grant, Buetefisch, PI; 07/2017–07/2019

A quantitative, mechanistic approach to improve the understanding of the effects of deep brain stimulation therapy on gait in Parkinson’s disease

Objectives: To identify acute and chronic effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on gait outcomes measured in a clinical setting.

Role: Co-I

Submitted: 04/2017

Total Direct Costs: $90K

Status: Semi-Finalist, not awarded 

VA Merit, Hackney, PI; 02/2017–01/2021

Rehabilitation mechanisms in Parkinson's disease and minor cognitive dysfunction

Objectives: To identify effective treatment strategies for people with comorbid Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to identify underlying mechanisms to guide the development of improved rehabilitative options for postural control.

Role: Co-I

Submitted: 06/2016

Total Direct Costs: $1.1M

NSF Research Award, Clifford, PI; 09/2017–08/2022

BIGDATA: IA: Collaborative Research: An unsupervised framework for fusing conflicting medical labels of continuous time series in big data

Objectives: To extend a Bayesian framework developed for automatic classification of electrocardiographic data to include electroencephalography data (for detection of seizures) and electromyography data (for assessment of Parkinson’s disease status).

Role: Co-I

Submitted: 03/2017

Total Direct Costs: $2.0M

Google Faculty Research Award, McKay, PI; Nominally 1 year, unrestricted

Reducing transportation barriers to exercise rehabilitation for people with Parkinson’s disease: a potential early application for self-driving technology

Objectives: 1) To develop backend and user–facing technology that will connect Parkinson’s patients with crowdfunded free rides to exercise–based rehabilitation via e–hail or self–driving technology. 2) To demonstrate that free rides to rehab improve outcomes in a randomized trial.

Role: PI

Co-Investigators: Clifford, Hackney

Submitted: 09/2016

Total Direct Costs: $150K

R01, Clifford, PI; 07/2015–06/2018

A Large-Scale Bayesian Crowd-Sourcing Approach for Accurate Medical Labeling and Prediction in Neurophysiological Time Series

Objectives: to develop scalable, standardized, algorithms for segmentation, feature extraction and classification of surface electromyogram (sEMG) data, to create of a gold standard public database of sEMG of young healthy individuals and individuals with and without Parkinson’s disease, and to establish standards in sEMG analysis.

Role: Co-I

Submitted: 06/2016

Status: discussed, not awarded

Total Direct Costs: $900K

Updated 24 February 2020