Faculty Research Interests

Our faculty members’ diverse research interests share the common goals of better understanding the manifestations of disease, injury and disability, and identifying optimal, theoretically-driven intervention strategies.

  • Robert F. Burkard.

    626 Kimball Tower, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6720

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    rfb@buffalo.edu

    Professor
    Department of Rehabilitation Science
    School of Public Health and Health Professions

    Research Topics: Acoustic calibration (in particular, of transient stimuli), auditory electrophysiology (with a focus on auditory evoked potentials, including the effects of high stimulus rates and masking noise on the auditory brainstem response, and animal studies of the auditory steady-state response), vestibular/balance function/dysfunction, functional imaging and aging

    626 Kimball Tower, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6720

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    rfb@buffalo.edu

  • Deanna C. Hostler.

    512 Kimball Tower, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6723

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    dchostle@buffalo.edu

    Clinical Assistant Professor
    Department of Rehabilitation Science
    School of Public Health and Health Professions

    Research Topics: Firefighter health and safety, cardiac disease, activity in heart failure patients and acute care physical therapy.

    512 Kimball Tower, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6723

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    dchostle@buffalo.edu

  • Hang Jin Jo.

    522 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: 716-829-2905

    hangjinj@buffalo.edu

    Assistant Professor
    Co-Director, Rehabilitation Science PhD program
    Department of Rehabilitation Science
    School of Public Health and Health Professions

    Research Topics: Neural mechanisms of motor control; modulation in cortical and spinal circuits; neuroplasticity

  • Dr. Linkie.

    501 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-3036

    clinkie@buffalo.edu

    Clinical Assistant Professor
    Department of Rehabilitation Science
    School of Public Health and Health Professions

    Research Topics: Enhancing occupational performance in individuals with Schizophrenia.

  • Jacob I McPherson.

    534 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6734

    jim6@buffalo.edu

    Clinical Associate Professor
    Department of Rehabilitation Science
    School of Public Health and Health Professions

    Research Topics: Vestibular assessment and treatment, clinical evaluation and management of individuals with concussion, neurotrophic factors involved in mild-TBI

  • Kirk Personius.

    623 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6940

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    kep7@buffalo.edu

    Clinical Associate Professor
    Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
    Department of Rehabilitation Science
    School of Public Health and Health Professions
    Affiliated Faculty
    Cell, Gene and Tissue Engineering Center

    Research Topics: Neuromuscular development and regeneration, animal models of neuromuscular disorders, and sarcopenia.

    623 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6940

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    kep7@buffalo.edu

  • Professional headshot of Dr. Ghazala Saleem.

    504 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-2589

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    ghazalas@buffalo.edu

    Assistant Professor
    Co-Director, Rehabilitation Science MS program
    Department of Rehabilitation Science
    School of Public Health and Health Professions

    Research Interests: Precision Neurorehabilitation in Socially/Medially Vulnerable Individuals with Neurological Disorders; Neuroimaging and Neuromodulation; Pathological Aging; Clinical and Pragmatic Trials; Telehealth

    504 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-2589

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    ghazalas@buffalo.edu

  • sue ann sisto.

    510 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-2609

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    suesisto@buffalo.edu

    Chair
    Professor
    Department of Rehabilitation Science
    School of Public Health and Health Professions

    Research Topics: Rehabilitation research related to gait biomechanics across the lifespan, neuromodulation in spinal cord injury on sensory motor outcomes, recovery of locomotion in spinal cord injury, caregiver/care recipient relationships in the families that include individuals with in spinal cord injury, and effects of community camps on empowering people with spinal cord injury and impacting their physical/psychosocial functioning and quality of life.

    510 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-2609

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    suesisto@buffalo.edu

  • Christopher Stavisky.

    513 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6805

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    cjstavis@buffalo.edu

    Clinical Assistant Professor
    Assistant Director, Occupational Therapy Program
    Co-Director, Rehabilitation Science MS Program
    Department of Rehabilitation Science
    School of Public Health and Health Professions

    Research Topics: Cognitive rehabilitation; Human motivation in rehabilitation and education contexts; Acquired brain injury; Adaptive sports and recreation.

    513 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6805

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    cjstavis@buffalo.edu

  • Janice Tona.

    526 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6741

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    tona@buffalo.edu

    Occupational Therapy Program Director
    Clinical Associate Professor
    Department of Rehabilitation Science
    School of Public Health and Health Professions

    Research Topics: Understanding the functional implications of neuropsychiatric disorders including Tourette Syndrome with an emphasis on postinfectious neuropsychiatric disorders including Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), and Long-COVID. Optimizing comport and success for individuals with developmental disabilities in primary care settings, including improving the dental office experience using sensory, motor, and behavioral interventions. Creating optimal educational environments and interprofessional experiences for future healthcare providers across disciplines.

    526 Kimball, 40 Goodyear Road

    Phone: (716) 829-6741

    Fax: (716) 829-3217

    tona@buffalo.edu