Diane Damiano

Diane Damiano is a renowned physical therapist and biomedical engineer known for her significant contributions to the field of pediatric rehabilitation. She is currently the Chief of the Functional and Applied Biomechanics Section in the Rehabilitation Medicine Department at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Early Life and Education

Damiano was born and raised in United States. She completed her undergraduate studies in Physical Therapy at the University of Connecticut. She later pursued her Master's degree in Biomechanics and Movement Science at the University of Delaware, followed by a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the Catholic University of America.

Career

Damiano began her career as a physical therapist, working primarily with children suffering from cerebral palsy. Her interest in improving the quality of life for these children led her to explore the field of biomedical engineering.

At the NIH, Damiano's research focuses on understanding the development of motor skills in children with cerebral palsy. She uses innovative technologies such as motion analysis and brain imaging to study the effects of physical therapy interventions on the brain and motor function.

Contributions

Damiano has made significant contributions to the field of pediatric rehabilitation. Her research has led to the development of new therapeutic interventions for children with cerebral palsy. She has also contributed to the understanding of the neural basis of motor control and the effects of early intervention on brain plasticity.

Awards and Recognition

Damiano's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Physical Therapy Association's Eugene Michels New Investigator Award and the Society for Neuroscience's Jacob Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award.

See Also

• Physical Therapy
• Biomedical Engineering
• Cerebral Palsy
• National Institutes of Health