Amy Bastian

Amy Bastian is a Professor of Neuroscience at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of human movement disorders, particularly those arising from cerebellar damage, stroke, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism.

Her research interests span Systems, Cognitive, and Computational Neuroscience, with a focus on motor control, motor learning, locomotor adaptation, cerebellar function, and neurorehabilitation. She investigates how the brain controls movement and adapts after injury, using advanced biomechanical tools and robotic devices.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in cerebellar ataxia, motor adaptation, stroke rehabilitation, and developmental motor control. Her work combines experimental and computational approaches to understand sensorimotor integration and neural plasticity in both healthy individuals and patient populations.

• Predicting and correcting ataxia using a model of cerebellar function (2014)
• Prevalence of ataxia in children: a systematic review (2014)
• Predictive modeling by the cerebellum improves proprioception (2013)
• Repeated Split-Belt Treadmill Training Improves Poststroke Step Length Asymmetry (2013)
• Modulating locomotor adaptation with cerebellar stimulation (2012)
• Motor adaptation training for faster relearning (2011)
• Younger is not always better: development of locomotor adaptation from childhood to adulthood (2011)

Amy Bastian mentors several graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, including Alex Vazquez, Andy Long, Heidi Weeks, Amanda Therrien, Ryan Roemmich, Nick Wymbs, and Nora Fritz. Many of her former trainees have secured faculty positions at institutions such as USC, University of Toronto, Washington University, and University of Pittsburgh. Her lab collaborates with neurologists, physical therapists, and biomedical engineers, and is supported by research grants focused on movement disorders and rehabilitation.

Her lab employs state-of-the-art technologies including 3D motion tracking, EMG, force plates, KinArm robot, and split-belt treadmills to study walking, reaching, balance, and motor learning in both adults and children.