Jesse Craig Dean

Jesse Craig Dean is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and part of the College of Health Professions. With a background in Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience, his research focuses on applying engineering principles to understand and improve human movement rehabilitation, particularly for post-stroke patients.

• Education:
  • PhD in Biomedical Engineering (University of Michigan, 2005)
  • MS in Biomedical Engineering (University of Michigan, 2002)
  • BA in Biological Sciences and Physics (University of Delaware, 2000)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow in Neuroscience (University of Alberta, 2005-2008)

His research integrates biomechanics, motor control, and sensory feedback to develop low-cost rehabilitation devices and investigate gait stability mechanisms. Recent studies focus on perturbation training, wearable sensor integration, and hip exoskeletons for balance improvement in chronic stroke populations. Key themes include stroke recovery, neuromechanical adaptation, and locomotion stability.

Dean's 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) emphasize:

• Post-stroke balance and gait stability
• Proprioceptive feedback mechanisms
• Exoskeleton-assisted movement
• Machine learning for biomechanical analysis
• Task-specific gait rehabilitation

He leads clinical trials like Pro00101810 (2020), which investigates mechanical perturbation training to reduce falls in chronic stroke patients. Collaborations include researchers such as Steven Kautz, Mark Bowden, and Colleen Hanlon.