Ben Sidaway

Ben Sidaway, PhD, is the Geneva Allen ’49 Professor in Health Sciences at Husson University’s College of Health and Pharmacy, School of Physical Therapy. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Sports Science and Ecology from Liverpool University, an M.A. in Motor Behavior and Biomechanics from the University of North Carolina, and a Ph.D. in Motor Control/Learning from Penn State University. Prior to Husson, he was a Professor in Louisiana State University’s Kinesiology Department and director of their motor behavior lab.

His research focuses on applying motor control and learning principles to clinical populations, particularly improving gait in older adults and Parkinson’s patients. He collaborates with mechanical engineers to develop wearable haptic feedback systems for gait rehabilitation. Notable grants include NIH funding for interlimb neural coupling in gait rehabilitation ($551,912) and Husson University funding for Parkinson’s gait analysis ($1,896).

Key research areas include mediolateral stability in fall prevention, haptic feedback applications, and motor skill learning in aging populations. His peer-reviewed work spans over 100 publications, emphasizing biomechanical and neurological aspects of human movement. Collaborations with institutions like the University of Maine and University of Southern California underscore his interdisciplinary approach to motor behavior research.

Dr. Sidaway’s teaching expertise includes Motor Control/Learning, Biomechanics, Anatomy, and Neuroscience. His lab work and grants highlight a commitment to translating research into clinical practice for improved mobility outcomes.