Gait and upper extremity key staff
Luciano
S. Dias, MD, Medical director, Motion Analysis Center
John Sarwark, MD, Medical consultant
Erik King, MD, Medical consultant
Nicholas J. Gryfakis, MS, Manager/biomedical
engineer
Nick joined the Motion Analysis Center staff in 2002 after working
as a mechanical project engineer at General Motors Corporation. He earned his
undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University in mechanical engineering
and then continued his education at the graduate school of Northwestern
University, earning his MS in biomedical engineering in 2001 with a focus in
biomechanics. Along with Nick's current research projects at the Motion Analysis
Center, his research has been presented at national conferences such as the
American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) and the
Gait & Clinical Movement Analysis Society. Additionally, he has co-taught
instructional courses at the AACPDM in the area of orthopaedic management of
spina bifida.
Claudia Kelp-Lenane, Physical
therapist
Claudia Kelp-Lenane is a senior physical therapist who has worked
in the Motion Analysis Center since 1991 and in the physical therapy department
at Children's Memorial Hospital since 1977. Claudia graduated from the
University of Iowa and gained experience in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as well as the
Salisbury Health District and King's College Hospital in London, England.
Additionally, she has maintained a private practice in physical therapy over the
past several years. One of Claudia's specialty is the treatment of children with
neuromuscular disorders. She has shared her extensive knowledge in the use of
gait analysis for the treatment of children with myelomeningocele by teaching
instructional courses at national conferences such as the American Academy of
Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM). Furthermore, Claudia has
co-authored two chapters in the book, Caring for the Child with Spina Bifida
(2001), and has participated in several research projects within the Motion
Analysis Center adding several abstracts and papers to her name. Claudia is also
the Sports Biomechanics Program physcial therapist in the Motion Analysis
Center.
Melissa Colthrust, MS,
Kinesiologist
Melissa joined the Motion Analysis Center in 2006 after earning
a Master of Science degree in Biomechanics from Ball State University, Indiana.
Prior to graduating, Melissa worked as a Research Assistant at the Ball State
Biomechanics Laboratory. She completed research on the effect of hormone levels
on knee stiffness in women. Currently, Melissa serves as the Kinesiologist at
the Motion Analysis Center.
Laura M. Johnson, MS, Biomedical
engineer
Laura joined the Motion Analysis Center staff in 2006 after working
as a research assistant in the Falk Neurorehabiliation Lab at Marquette
University. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from
Marquette University in biomedical engineering with an emphasis on biomechanics
and graduate work in neurorehabilitation. Her research interests there were
focused on arm biomechanics and robotics in rehabilitation. Her research and
publications have been presented at numerous national and international
conferences.