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Doctor of Physical Therapy
Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Master of Physical Therapy
Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Bachelor of Science in Excercise Science
University of Iowa

My current research efforts employ several innovative methods for quantifying multi-joint upper extremity movement control during both postural and movement tasks in individuals with stroke. I utilize the same quantitative methods to instrument direct impairment-targeted interventions in an effort to elucidate neural mechanisms underlying impaired movement and subsequent restoration of normal movement in individuals with stroke. This research is in collaboration with Julius P.A. Dewald, PT, PhD and is further augmented by collaborations with colleagues with expertise in neural imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Through my clinical research efforts I hope to contribute to the evolution of rehabilitation medicine and science by advancing neurological rehabilitation principles and techniques. The key component most likely to impact rehabilitation in this magnitude is the elucidation of the neurological underpinnings responsible for movement discoordination and through the subsequent development of more effective rehabilitation therapies for individuals with functionally debilitating movement impairments.

Peer Reviewed Publications

-- Ellis M, Sukal-Moulton T, Dewald J. Progressive Abduction Loading is a Crucial Element of Arm Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. Epub ahead of print 19 May 2009.

-- Ellis M, Sukal-Moulton T, Dewald J. Targeted 3D Robotic Intervention Improves Upper Extremity Work Area in Chronic Stroke: Progressive Robot Assisted Limb Loading Reduces the Expression of Abnormal Joint Torque Coupling. IEEE Trans Robotics. 2009 Jun; 25(3):549-555.

-- McPherson J, Ellis M, Heckman C, Dewald J. Evidence for persistent inward currents and hyperexcitability in spinal motoneurons of individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. J Neurophys. 2008 Dec;100(6):3236-43.

-- Ellis MD, Sukal TM, Demott T, Dewald JPA. Augmenting clinical evaluation of hemiparetic arm movement with a laboratory-based quantitative measurement of kinematics as a function of limb loading. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2008 Jul;22(4):321-329.

-- Sukal TM, Ellis MD, Dewald JPA. Shoulder Abduction-Induced Reductions in Reaching Work Area Following Hemiparetic Stroke: Neuroscientific Implications. Exp Brain Res.

-- Beer RF, Ellis MD, Holubar BG, Dewald JP. Impact of gravity loading on post-stroke reaching and its relationship to weakness.Muscle Nerve. 2007 Aug;36(2):242-50.

-- Ellis MD, Acosta AM, Yao J, Dewald JP. Position-dependent torque coupling and associated muscle activation in the hemiparetic upper extremity.Exp Brain Res. 2007 Feb;176(4):594-602.

-- Ellis M, Holubar B, Acosta A, Beer R, Dewald J. Modifiability of Abnormal Isometric Elbow and Shoulder Joint Torque Coupling After Stroke. Muscle & Nerve. 2005 Aug;32(2): 170-8.

-- Suresh N, Ellis M, Moore J, Heckman H, Rymer W. Excitatory Synaptic Potentials in Spastic Human Motoneurons Have a Short Rise Time. Muscle & Nerve. 2005 Jul;32(1): 99-103.

-- Keller T, Ellis MD, Dewald JP. Overcoming abnormal joint torque patterns in paretic upper extremities using triceps stimulation. Artif Organs. 2005 Mar; 29(3):229-32.

-- Wolf S, Catlin P, Ellis M, Link A, Morgan B, Piacentino A. Assessing Wolf Motor Function Test as Outcome Measure for Research in Patients After Stroke. Stroke. 2001 Jul;32(7):1635-9.

-- Krainak D, Ellis M, Bury K, Churchill D, Pavlovics E, Pearson L, Shah M, and Dewald J. The effects of body orientation on maximum voluntary arm torques. Conditionally accepted at M&N.

Peer Reviewed Conference Proceedings

-- Sukal, T., Ellis, M., & Dewald, J. "Dynamic characterization of upper limb discoordination following hemiparetic stroke," In Proc. 2005 9th Int. Conf. Rehabilitation Robotics, Chicago, IL, USA, 2005, pp 519-521.

-- Sukal, T., Dewald, J., & Ellis, M. "Use of a Novel Robotic System for Quantification of Upper Limb Work Area Following Stroke," In Proc. IEEE-EMBS 27th Annu. Int. Conf., Shanghai, China, 2005, pp 5032-5035.

-- Yao, J., Ellis, M., & Dewald, J. "Mechanisms And Rehabilitation Of Discoordination Following Stroke Using A Cortical Imaging Method," In Proc. IEEE-EMBS 27th Annu. Int. Conf., Shanghai, China, 2005, pp 4138-4141.

-- Sukal, T., Ellis, M., & Dewald, J. "Evaluation and Intervention in the Paretic Upper Extremity Following Hemiparetic Stroke using the ACT 3D System," In Proc. 1st  IEEE-RAS-EMBS Int. Conf. Biomedical Robotics Biomechatronics, Pisa, Italy, 2006, pp 591-594.

-- Sukal, T., Ellis, M, & Dewald, J. "Source of Work Area Reduction Following Hemiparetic Stroke and Preliminary Intervention Using the ACT 3D System" In Proc. IEEE-EMBS 28th Annu. Int. Conf., New York City, NY, USA, 2006, pp 177-180.

-- Ellis, M., Sukal, T., DeMott, T., & Dewald, J. Preliminary results for a targeted intervention for improving reaching range of motion in severe hemiparetic stroke using the Arm Coordination Training 3D Device (ACT3D) (Abstract).  J Neurol Phys Ther. 2006 Dec;30(4):207. Also in Proc. 2007 Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association. Boston, MA, USA, 2007.

-- Ellis, M., Sukal, T., Demott, T., Dewald, J. ACT3D exercise targets gravity-induced discoordination and improves reaching work area in individuals with stroke. In Proc. 2007 10th Int. Conf. Rehabilitation Robotics, Noordwijk, Netherlands, 2007, pp 890-895.

-- Ellis, M. & Dewald, J. Brainstem motor pathways may contribute to stereotypic movement patterns or "flexion synergy" following (sub)cortical stroke (Abstract).  J Neurol Phys Ther. 2008 Dec;32(4):214. Also in Proc. 2009 Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, Las Vegas, NV, USA, 2009.

-- Ellis, M., Brown, D., Dewald, J., & Hidler, J. New Technologies in stroke research: What are the immediate clinical applications? Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. 33(4):233-235, December 2009. Also in Proc. 2010 Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, San Diego, CA, USA, 2010.

-- Ellis, M. & Dewald, J. Head rotation influences reaching range of motion in individuals with chronic severe stroke: The asymmetric tonic neck reflex. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. 33(4):224-232, December 2009. Also in Proc. 2010 Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, San Diego, CA, USA, 2010.

-- Carmona, C., Ellis, M., & Dewald, J. Real world arm function and its relationship with kinematic evaluation of reaching in chronic stroke. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. 33(4):224-232, December 2009. Also in Proc. 2010 Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, San Diego, CA, USA, 2010.

-- Krainak, DM., Bury, K., Churchill, S., Ghandi, M., Pavlovics, E., Pearson, L., Ellis, M., Dewald, J. The effect of body position on upper extremity single and multi-joint strength in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. 33(4):224-232, December 2009. Also in Proc. 2010 Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, San Diego, CA, USA, 2010.

-- Ellis, M., Kottink, A., Prange, G., Rietman, J., Buurke, J., & Dewald, J. Robotic quantification of mild, moderate, and severe loss of independent joint control in individuals with acute stroke: preliminary results. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. 34(4):224-231, December 2010. Also in Proc. 2011 Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, New Orleans, LA, USA, 2011.

-- Carmona, C., Ellis, M. & Dewald, J. Concurrent validity of the (Rancho Los Amigos) Functional Test for the hemiplegic/paretic upper extremity. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. 34(4):224-231, December 2010. Also in Proc. 2011 Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, New Orleans, LA, USA, 2011.

-- Ellis, M., Buchler, A., Burke, K., Franiak, V., Ratajczak, N., & Dewald, J. Contralateral head rotation and abduction loading reduce reaching work area in individuals with severe chronic stroke. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. 34(4):224-231, December 2010. Also in Proc. 2011 Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, New Orleans, LA, USA, 2011.

-- Ellis, M., Kottink, A., Prange, G., Rietman, J., Buurke, J., & Dewald, J. "Quantifying loss of independent joint control in acute stroke with a robotic evaluation of reaching workspace," In Proc. IEEE-EMBS 33rd Annu. Int. Conf. Boston, MA, USA, 2011, pp. 

-- Ellis, M., Alsauskaite, L., Hussar, K., Kumar, K., Westgate, J., & Dewald, J. Maximum elbow extension is achieved when initially combined with greater amounts of horizontal shoulder flexion; a kinematic evaluation of reaching in chronic severe stroke.  Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association. Chicago. 2012.