Bernadette T Gillick

Bernadette T Gillick is a prominent researcher in pediatric neurorehabilitation, affiliated with the University of Minnesota and collaborating with institutions such as the Medical University of South Carolina and The University of Queensland. She leads major NIH- and NHMRC-funded research projects on perinatal and pediatric stroke, focusing on brain recovery, motor development, and non-invasive brain stimulation.

Her research interests center on transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), hemiparesis, perinatal stroke, and cortical excitability. She employs multimodal assessment techniques to understand neuroplasticity and recovery in infants and children with early brain injury.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in clinical neuromodulation, longitudinal neuroimaging, and feasibility studies of brain stimulation in pediatric populations. Her work spans from technical modeling of electric fields to ethical considerations of parental consent in pediatric research.

• NIH-funded project on Perinatal Stroke and Brain Recovery
• NHMRC-funded randomized trial in congenital hemiplegia
• Leadership in studies on tDCS and TMS safety and feasibility
• Collaborative research on cortical excitability and circuitry
• Public engagement through science outreach initiatives

Dr. Gillick mentors several junior researchers and students, including S. T. Nemanich, D. H. Lench, and E. N. Sutter. She has led multiple large-scale grants and has contributed to open science through data sharing. Her work significantly advances the field of pediatric neurorehabilitation and informs clinical practice and policy.

She is actively involved in research labs and collaborative teams focused on infant brain organization, recovery mechanisms, and innovative rehabilitation strategies. Her work bridges neuroscience, clinical therapy, and bioethics, positioning her as a leader in translational pediatric neuroscience.