Merrill R. Landers

Merrill R. Landers serves as Interim Dean and Professor in the Department of Integrated Health Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, holding the Cyrus Chung Ying Tang Foundation Research Professorship. He has chaired the physical therapy program since 2011 and maintains active clinical licensure as a physical therapist.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Integrative Physiology) from UNLV (2012) with cognates in neurobiology and statistics
• DPT from Creighton University (1997)
• B.S. in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University (1993) with minor in Scandinavian Studies

Dr. Landers' research program centers on Parkinson's disease and mild cognitive impairment, specifically investigating balance impairment mechanisms, fear of falling avoidance behaviors, and neuroprotective effects of exercise. His work bridges neuroscience and rehabilitation through innovative approaches like transcranial direct current stimulation for motor priming. Current projects examine the relationship between psychological factors and mobility limitations, with emphasis on clinical translation.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant themes in Parkinson's disease research, particularly gait analysis, dual-task performance, and psychological contributors to mobility impairment. His work increasingly incorporates cross-cultural adaptations of assessment tools and explores novel interventions including cannabis effects and nature-based mindfulness. A significant portion focuses on fear of falling avoidance behavior measurement and intervention across diverse populations.

His scholarly recognition includes:

• Credentialed Fellowship Graduate of the APTA Education Leadership Institute
• Cyrus Chung Ying Tang Foundation Research Professorship

As an educator, Dr. Landers teaches advanced courses including Neurophysiology (DPT 756), Genomics and Regenerative Rehabilitation (DPT 713), and Clinical Trial Design (HSC 705). His leadership as Interim Dean and department chair demonstrates commitment to advancing health sciences education while maintaining active research productivity through clinical trials and collaborative neuroscience investigations.