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Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

Doctor of Physical Therapy
Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

The focus of my research is to quantify muscle synergies and coactivation patterns under dynamic conditions in the upper limb following brain injury, in adults at the chronic stage of a stroke and in children with cerebral palsy.

-- Workspace Restriction following Stroke
-- Cerebral Palsy Research Registry
-- Decrease in Active Workspace in Cerebral Palsy

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.

-- 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.

Peer Reviewed Conference Proceedings & Abstracts

-- Ellis M, Sukal T, Dewald J. Active abduction may be the key therapeutic factor for rehabilitation of reaching work area in stroke: preliminary results from an ongoing randomized controlled trial. Society for Neuroscience. 2007.

-- Sukal TM, Krosschell KJ, Dewald JPA. Quantitative Evaluation of Upper Extremity Discoordination in Cerebral Palsy Using a 3D Robotic System. AACPDM 61th Annual Meeting. Vancouver, BC October 2007.

-- Sukal TM, Krosschell KJ, Dewald JPA. Use of the ACT3D system to evaluate synergies in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study. IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics. The Netherlands. June, 2007.

-- Ellis MD, Sukal TM, Dewald JPA. Preliminary results for a targeted intervention for improving reaching range of motion in severe hemiparetic stroke using the Arm Coordination Training 3D Device (ACT3D). Combined Sections Meeting 2007. Boston, MA February 2007.

-- Ellis MD, Sukal TM, DeMott T, Dewald JPA. Relationship of a robotic work area quantification tool (ACT3D) with clinical scales of movement impairment in the hemiparetic upper extremity. Society for Neuroscience. Atlanta, GA November 2006.

-- Sukal TM, Krosschell KJ, Gaebler-Spira DJ, Ellis MD, Kuroda M, Dewald JPA. Cerebral Palsy Research Registry: A multi-center effort to support cerebral palsy research. AACPDM 60th Annual Meeting. Boston, MA September 2006.

-- Sukal TM, Ellis MD, Dewald JPA. Evidence for Decreased Work Area as Active Weight-Support Requirements of the Paretic Arm Increase in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke. Program No. 989.19. 2005 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.

-- Sukal T, Ellis M, & Dewald J. Application of a Haptic Interface for Investigating Movement Patterns Following Stroke. The 4th International Workshop on Virtual Rehabilitation. Catalina, CA September 2005.

-- Sukal T, Dewald J, & Ellis M. Use of a Novel Robotic System for Quantification of Upper Limb Work Area Following Stroke. 27th IEEE EMBS Annual International Conference. Shanghai, China September 2005.

-- Sukal T, Ellis M, & Dewald J. Discoordination in Stroke Measured Dynamically Using the ACT-3D Robot. International Society of Biomechanics & American Society of Biomechanics. Cleveland, OH August 2005.

-- Sukal T, Ellis M, & Dewald J. Dynamic Characterization of Upper Limb Discoordination Following Hemiparetic Stroke. IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics. Chicago, IL July 2005.

-- Dewald J, Ellis MD, Holubar BG, Sukal, T, & Acosta AM. The Robot Application in the Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients (Abstract). Neurologie & Rehabilitation. 2004 Sep;(4):S7.

-- Sukal T, Meisner A, Salako R. Restoration of finger function in hemiparetic stroke patients using goal-directed therapy: Coordination Station. IEEE 29th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, 22-23 Mar 2003, Newark, NJ (Poster Competition Third Place).

-- Sukal T, Meisner A, Salako R. Restoration of finger function in hemiparetic stroke patients using goal-directed therapy: Coordination Station. Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America Conference, 18-23 Jun 2003, Atlanta, GA.

-- Sukal T, Meisner A, Salako R. Restoration of finger function in hemiparetic stroke patients using goal-directed therapy: Coordination Station. Summer Bioengineering Conference, 25-29 Jun 2003, Key Biscayne, FL (Student Design Honorable Mention).

-- Kirtley C, Cisper J, Sukal T, Wall A. Normalization for Autointerpretation of Gait Analysis Data. Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society (GCMAS), Chattanooga, Tennessee, April 17-20, 2002.

-- Armand M, Merkle A, Sukal T, Experimental evaluation of a model of contact pressure distribution in the hip joint. IV World Congress of Biomechanics, Calgary, Alberta, August 4-9, 2002.

-- Forbes J, Sukal T, Wang K. Mechanical properties of individual cardiomyocytes. National Institutes of Health Research Festival, 15-18 Oct 2002.