Research Programs
The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation has a strong research focus. Our investigators are involved in dozens of studies covering a wide range of research topics including traumatic brain injury, burn rehabilitation, and wound care.
Areas of Research
Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke
Surendra Barshikar, M.D., Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Dr. Barshikar's research interests include agitation in TBI, telemedicine, and antibiotic stewardship.
Stuart Yablon, M.D., Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Dr. Yablon's research is focused on brain injury and spasticity. He is the Co-Project Director for the North Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Models System (NTTBIMS).
Mobility and Musculoskeletal
Yasin Dhaher, Ph.D., Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research
Dr. Dhaher's research interest lies at the intersection of three disciplines: biomechanics, neurophysiology, and endocrinology.
Yanlong Song, Ph.D., Neurorehabilitation and Musculoskeletal Research
Dr. Song's research is focused on fostering an understanding of brain information processing and brain development in healthy children and children with movement disorders and provide insights to the development of neurorehabilitation interventions for children with motor functioning deficits such as cerebral palsy.
Yen-Sheng Lin, Ph.D., Musculoskeletal Research
Dr. Lin's research interests include functional shoulder instability across lifespan, upper limb exoskeleton therapeutic intervention, musculoskeletal injury prognostic imaging biomarkers, and more.
Burns/Wounds
Karen Kowalske, M.D., Burn Research
Dr. Kowalske's research includes burn model system, heterotopic ossification post burn injury, and tetraparesis following high voltage electrical injury.
Yi-Ting Tzen, Ph.D., Wound Research
Dr. Tzen's research theme revolves around pressure injury and diabetic foot ulcer risk identification and prevention.