Michael R. Borich, DPT, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

  • BS, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 2002
  • DPT, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 2005
  • PhD, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 2010
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow , University of British Columbia, 2013

Memberships

  • American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
  • American Physical Therapy Association
  • American Physical Therapy Association  – Neurology Section
  • American Society for Neurorehabilitation
  • Canadian Stroke Network Trainee Association
  • International White Matter Study Group
  • Organization of Human Brain Mapping
  • Society for Neuroscience

Honors

  • Pilot Grant, National Center for Neuromodulation in Neurorehabilitation, 2017
  • VCU-Marquette Challenge Grant, Foundation for Physical Therapy, 2017
  • CORRT K12 Scholar, National Institutes of Heath, 2015-Present
  • Clinical Loan Repayment Award, National Institutes of Health, 2015-Present
  • Society for Neuroscience Chapter Postdoctoral Trainee Travel Award, 2013
  • Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute Rising Star Award, 2013
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Focus on Stroke Research Fellow, 2012-2013
  • Associate Editor, Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, 2011-Present
  • American Physical Therapy Association Mary McMillian Scholarship Recipient, 2005

Dr. Borich is keenly interested in understanding and harnessing the plastic capacity of the human nervous system in health and disease in an effort to improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with neurologic injury and disease. His research utilizes multimodal neuroimaging and neurostimulation techniques to characterize the brain structural and functional correlates of neural plasticity associated with learning and experience.

Trainees & Staff

Jasmine Mirdamadi, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University; NIH F32 Awardee
 

Dr. Mirdamadi received her PhD in Human Performance and Neuroscience from Indiana University in April 2020. Her research focuses on how the brain integrates sensory information to control movement and learn new skills. She is interested in advancing our understanding on the neural mechanisms of sensory and motor plasticity associated with learning in healthy individuals, and then how these mechanisms are affected by neurological injuries, such as stroke. She is also interested in identifying factors contributing to individual differences in plasticity, through both experience (i.e. practice, rehabilitation) and neuromodulation, to optimize neuroplastic potential and functional behaviors.
In collaboration with Lena Ting and the Neuromechanics Lab, Jasmine is investigating neural correlates of whole-body motion perception and their association to balance ability in neurotypical younger and older adults, and people who have had a stroke.
In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys rock climbing, hiking, baking, and playing with her dogs.

Nathan A. Baune, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University; AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship Awardee
 
Nathan is a rehabilitation neuroscientist interested in sensory and multisensory contributions to upper limb goal-directed action. He has utilized virtual reality, fMRI, and behavioral measures to study neural and behavioral changes post-stroke and in peripheral nerve injury, including amputees and former amputees that have received a donor hand transplant. He is most interested in the interplay between vision and proprioception, including how their interaction changes following neurological injury or as we age. He is currently working on a project funded by the American Heart Association to identify neurophysiologic assessments of proprioceptive deficit and altered visuo-proprioceptive processing post-stroke. This research relies on measures of brain activity (EEG) along with precision robotics to record markers of sensory change during upper limb behaviors. He has also worked in industry as a co-inventor and Director of Operations in developing a motion AI system which utilizes wearable sensors to track activities of daily living in the homes of stroke survivors. Nathan enjoys the latest technology, especially considering how it can be used to answer difficult research questions. Nathan is also fond of cycling, gardening, snowboarding (which is difficult in Georgia), and hunting mushrooms.
Yasmine Bassil, PhD Candidate
Neuroscience Graduate Program, Emory University; NSF GRFP Awardee

Yasmine received her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she completed the Research Option certificate and conducted undergraduate research with Dr. Shella Keilholz as a part of the Keilholz MIND Lab. Her primary undergraduate research focused on studying resting-state functional connectivity and whole-brain dynamics in ADHD using fMRI.
Currently, Yasmine is pursuing her PhD in Neuroscience at Emory University and is interested in aging-related changes in the connectivity and plasticity of the human spatial navigation network, using concurrent TMS-fMRI.
She also serves as the Co-Chair of the Emory Neuroscience Graduate Program’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee, as well as the Secretary for the Graduates in Neuroscience organization. Additionally, she is a Scholar in the Georgia Tech/Emory T32 Computational Neural Engineering Training Program. 
Outside of Emory, she enjoys roller-skating, taking care of her indoor plants, cooking food from various cultural cuisines, visiting museums, thrifting, playing the piano, singing karaoke, and learning how to play the bass guitar.

Eden Zhu, PhD Student
Neuroscience Graduate Program, Emory University

Eden is interested in movement study, human disease medical research, electrophysiology and neuroplasticity. While she is from a physics/math/computer/engineering background, she has discovered her passion for biology, nature, and medicine through her studies.  She switched paths to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience and enjoys it every day.
Iran Gutierrez, Research Specialist
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University
 
Iran graduated from Emory University in  2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Spanish Minor. She is currently working as a Research Specialist at the NPRL with the goal of joining a PhD program in Neuroscience, Rehabilitation Science or Movement Science in Fall 2023. Iran is leading a DPT project in the lab assessing the functional contributions of motor cortical regions and task difficulty in sequence-specific motor skill learning. Iran is committed to mentorship, bridging gaps between higher education/healthcare and underrepresented communities. In her free time, Iran enjoys lifting weights, waking up early, going out to dance and hanging out with her friends! 
IMG_3852 - Catie Mason
Catie Mason, Affiliated PhD Candidate
Neuroscience Graduate Program, Emory University; NIH F31 Awardee
 
Catie received her Bachelors of Science in Biology with a concentration in Physiology & Neuroscience from NC State University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience at Emory University, and she’s also a member of Dr. Trisha Kesar’s MOTIONs Lab and Dr. Lena Ting’s Neuromechanics Lab. Catie uses Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) during cognitive-motor dual-tasks to study cognitive-motor circuit interactions in the cortex that contribute to standing balance control. She is interested in elucidating how cognitive-motor circuits change across age and cognitive ability and how these changes may contribute to high fall risk. Catie’s work is funded by the F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA). In her free time, Catie loves to play video games, sing Broadway show tunes, and explore the city!
 
Fisayo Aloba, Affiliated PhD Candidate
Neuroscience Graduate Program, Emory University
 
Fisayo received her BS in Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, then received her Master’s in Physical Therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from TexasTech University HSC School of Health Professions.
She is in the Ph.D. Neuroscience program at Emory investigating different combinations of interventions in people who have spatial neglect and gait deficits post-stroke. She uses both clinical and neurophysiological outcome measures to compare their effectiveness/efficacy. Outside of the lab she loves to explore and travel.

Undergraduate & High School Students

Anisha Kanukolanu, Undergraduate Student
Neuroscience Major, Georgia Tech
 

Anisha is an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech majoring in Neuroscience. She is currently studying the connectivity & plasticity of spatial navigation networks in humans using concurrent TMS-fMRI. As well as building a VR maze for a balance, navigation, and cognition study. Outside the lab, Anisha would be journaling, drawing, puzzling, and thrifting.

Clara Beth LaFollette, Undergraduate Student
Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology Major, Emory University
 

Clara Beth LaFollette is a third-year undergraduate at Emory University studying Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology. She is currently working with Dr. Mirdamadi, where they are researching structural brain biomarkers of whole body motion perception and balance function in post stroke. In her free time, she enjoys running and is on Emory Running Club, and also enjoys baking.

Emily Cui, Undergraduate Student
Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology Major, Emory University
 
Emily Cui is a 4th year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology.  Her current research interests surround spatial navigation in younger and older adults, specifically looking at allocentric & egocentric reference frame bias. Emily is passionate about accessibility in the STEM field and is one of the managing editors of Grey Matters Emory, a neuroscience journal that publishes articles and art written and created by undergrad students. She also loves listening to music, enjoys watching Celtics games with her family, and annoying her cat, Sammy, and her dog, Mia. In the future, she would love to travel more with friends and explore new places.
Suyoung Yun, Undergraduate Student
Biomedical Engineering Major, Georgia Tech
 

Suyoung is an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech majoring Biomedical engineering. She is currently working with Dr. Baune on the Neurophysiological assessment of proprioceptive deficit and altered Visio-proprioceptive processing post-stroke”. She recently started cooking and knitting.

Hannah Odom, Undergraduate Student
Neuroscience Major, Georgia Tech
 

Hannah is an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech majoring in Neuroscience. She is currently working with Dr. Mirdamadi studying balance perception and SEP collection. In her free time, she enjoys lifting, listening to new Spotify finds, and sleeping!

Wenhui Lu, Undergraduate Student
Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology Major, Emory University
 

Wenhui is an undergraduate student at Emory University majoring in Neuroscience. She is currently working with a DPT group studying the functional contributions of brain regions to sequence-specific motor skill learning. More specifically, she is studying the relationship between chances in corticospinal excitability as a result of training in adjacent limbs.

Hyungjun (Richy) Park, Undergraduate Student
Biomedical & Mechanical Engineering Major, Georgia Tech
 
Hyungjun (Richy) is an undergraduate student at Emory University majoring in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering. He is currently working with Dr. Borich on a Wearable device for haptic and active-assist for hand rehab post-stroke. In his free time he enjoys hanging out with Friends, trying to teach/learn new skills and participating in Hackathons.
Natasha Setiadi, Undergraduate Student
Computer Science Major, Georgia Tech

Natasha is an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech majoring in Computer Science. She is currently working on the biofeedback interface to study hand and wrist motor control in healthy and post-stroke individuals. In her free time she enjoys Fencing, reading webtoons/comics, listening to music, and playing video games.

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Jesse DeMatteo, Undergraduate Student
Georgia Tech
 
Jesse is a second-year undergraduate student at Georgia Tech majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in robotics. He is currently involved in two projects: 1) mitigating nausea while using an omnidirectional treadmill; and 2) investigating brain activity during operation of the Kinarm robot. His hobbies include exercising and napping.
Valeria Perez, Undergraduate Student
Georgia Tech 
Nicholas Hess, Undergraduate Student
Industrial Engineering Major, Georgia Tech

Nicholas Hess is a 2nd year Industrial Engineering major at Georgia Tech on the pre-med track. He heard about this lab at a networking night, and immediately wanted in. He has always wanted to be a part of a team with the goal of making a difference in human life, and he feels that he has found that here. In his free time, he enjoys recording podcasts, filming movies, and producing other forms of digital media. If there is one thing that he wants others to know about him, it is that he is a creative person above anything else. So far, Georgia Tech has provided him with the skills to succeed in most areas, and he looks forward to channeling much of this into his work in the lab. He hopes to make a difference in the lives of others, and he knows that this is the right team to help him do so!
Akarshana Arunkumar, High School Student
Denmark High School
 Akarshana is a high school student at Denmark High School. She is currently working with Anisha and Yasmine to study the biological and behavioral correlates of aging-effects on human spatial navigation. Outside of the lab, Akarshana loves to go to the gym, listen to music, and dance.
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Ipsita Bhattacharya, High School Student
Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology
 
Ipsita is a high school junior at Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. She is currently a part of the PMC project which investigates the role of premotor cortex and task difficulty in sequence-specific motor skill learning. Ipsita loves to crochet, play the violin, ride her bike and take walks in nature.
Alumni
  • Alejandro Lopez, PhD; Graduate Student, Neuroscience, Emory University
  • Erin King, PhD; Graduate Student, Neuroscience, Emory University
  • Mary Alice White, DPT, PhD; Graduate Student, Applied Physiology, Georgia Tech
  • Ricardo Rivera;  Undergraduate Student (Biomedical Engineering), Georgia Tech
  • Jay Desai; Undergraduate Student (Biology), Emory University
  • Jacob Stein; Undergraduate Student (Psychology), Emory University
  • Mahi Patel; Undergraduate Student (Neuroscience), University of Pennsylvania
  • Cassie McIltrot; Undergraduate Student (Biomedical Engineering), Georgia Tech
  • Michael Arrington; Undergraduate Student, Georgia Tech
  • Shiyu Lin; Graduate Student, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Emory University
  • Amuyla Noone; Undergraduate Student (Neuroscience), Georgia Tech
  • Ayanna Bell; Undergraduate Student (Neuroscience & Artificial Intelligence), Agnes Scott College
  • Manish Bhatta; Undergraduate Student (Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology), Emory University
  • Joanna Yu; Undergraduate Student (Human Health & Sociology), Emory University
  • Lauren Edwards, MS; Graduate Student, Neuroscience, Emory University
  • Martin Tan, B.S. (Biology, Philosophy), Research Assistant. Current: Medical Student at University of Tennessee College of Medicine
  • Befkadu Walthour; Undergraduate Student (Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience), College of Wooster, Emory LGS-SOAR Scholar
  • Maria Krakovski; Undergraduate Student, Georgia Tech
  • Kirthi Rao; Undergraduate Student, Georgia Tech
  • Scott Heston; Undergraduate Student, Georgia Tech
  • Tarushi Tanaya; Undergraduate Student (Quantitative Science in Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology), Research Partners Program Awardee. Current: Medical Student at University of Alabama-Birmingham
  • Cassie Fierro; Undergraduate Student (Neuroscience, Behavioral Biology), SIRE & SURE awardee, Emory University. Current: Research Coordinator at University of Michigan
  • Akash Patel; Undergraduate Student, (Quantitative Science in Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology), Emory University. Current: Medical Student at University of Tennessee College of Medicine
  • Alex Chen; Undergraduate Student (Chemical Engineering), PURA recipient, Georgia Tech. Current: Medical Student at Medical College of Georgia
  • Sarah Coolidge; Undergraduate Student, Research Partners Program Awardee, Emory University
  • Arsh Momin; Undergraduate Student (Computer Science), PURA recipient, Georgia Tech. Current: Medical Student at Medical College of Georgia
  • Rick Saha; Undergraduate Student, PURA recipient, Georgia Tech. Current: Medical Student at Medical College of Georgia
  • Whitney Gray; NIH StrokeNet Fellow, Georgia StrokeNet Regional Coordinating Center
  • Alice Halter; Undergraduate Student, Emory University
  • Dev Mandavia; Undergraduate Student, Georgia Tech
  • Kanchi Patel; Undergraduate Student, Georgia Tech
  • Aanand Patel; Undergraduate Student (Neuroscience), Emory University. Current: MSc in Global Health Student at Kings College, London.
  • Timothy Lee; Undergraduate Student (Neuroscience), Emory University
  • Puneeth Guruprasad; Undergraduate Student, Georgia Tech
  • Layla Darian; Undergraduate Student (Business, Pre-PT), Georgia Tech
  • Chris Kontoghiorghes; Undegraduate Student (Chemistry), Emory University. Current: Medical Student at Tulane University.
  • Eric Oetter; DPT Student, Emory University
  • Benjamin Chong; Volunteer
  • Sumi Sato; DPT Student, Emory University. Current: PhD Student at University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
  • Aditya Santoki; High School Intern, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
  • Colby Wallace; DPT Student, Emory University