Emerson Sebastião

Emerson Sebastião is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He holds a PhD from the same institution (2015) and postdoctoral training in rehabilitation sciences. His research focuses on physical activity interventions for older adults and individuals with multiple sclerosis, emphasizing health disparities and public health outcomes.

Education:

• PhD in Kinesiology, University of Illinois (2015)
• Postdoctoral Training: Exercise Neuroscience Research Laboratory (2016)
• Master’s in Human Movement Sciences, São Paulo State University (Brazil)
• Bachelor’s in Physical Education, São Paulo State University (Brazil)

Research Interests:

• Exercise interventions for mobility and cognitive function in aging populations
• Neurological rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis patients
• Sedentary behavior and multimorbidity
• Health equity in physical activity access

Recent work emphasizes innovative exercise protocols (e.g., sled-push training, square-stepping) and technology applications (VR rehabilitation). He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and serves as associate editor for two journals. Current projects include cross-cultural studies on aging and disability-focused interventions.