Bio : Dr. Diane Damiano is the Clinical Center’s Chief of the Functional and Applied Biomechanics Section within the Rehabilitation Medicine Department. A physical therapist by training, Dr. Damiano holds a PhD in research methods/biomechanics from the University of Virginia, a Master of Science in physical therapy from Duke University, and an undergraduate degree in biological sciences from Catholic University. Her previous academic appointments prior to joining the Intramural Research Program were in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Virginia where she was promoted to Associate Professor on the tenure track and the Department of Neurology at Washington University of St. Louis.

Dr. Damiano’s area of expertise is in the investigation of both existing and novel rehabilitation approaches in children with cerebral palsy. Several years ago, she was one of the first researchers to recognize that spastic muscles were, in fact, weak and needed strengthening. Her work in this area has helped to revolutionize the treatment of these patients. Her most recent research interest is in the role of physical activity in enhancing motor coordination and promoting muscle and neural recovery in those with brain injuries. Her lab is also pioneering the use of non-invasive brain technologies such as EEG and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to study motor coordination in children and adult with cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Damiano has published more than 90 papers in peer-reviewed journals. She currently sits on the editorial board of Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Developmental and Child Neurology, and the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation. Dr. Damiano is a past president of the Clinical Gait and Movement Analysis Society and the current president the first physical therapist to serve in the role in the organization’s 61-year history of the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. She is a member of the scientific advisory board of the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Education Foundation.