Kathleen M. Friel

Kathleen M. Friel, Ph.D., is a prominent academic researcher and clinician specializing in neurorehabilitation. She serves as the Lab Director of the Clinical Laboratory for Early Brain Injury Recovery at Burke Neurological Institute and holds the position of Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medicine. Her work focuses on improving motor function in individuals with neurological conditions, particularly cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries, through innovative therapies and neuroimaging techniques.

Education

• B.A. in Biology, Rice University
• M.S. in Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston
• Ph.D. in Neurophysiology, University of Kansas Medical Center
• M.S. in Biostatistics (Patient-Oriented Research), Columbia University
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Columbia University Medical Center

Research Interests

Dr. Friel’s research explores the role of motor activity in neurorehabilitation, with a focus on:

• Intensive bimanual training and robotic-assisted therapies for cerebral palsy
• Non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., TMS, tDCS) to enhance motor recovery
• Neural mechanisms of motor plasticity in pediatric and adult populations
• Development of outcome measures for rehabilitation engagement (e.g., ROME scale)

Collaborations

Her lab collaborates with institutions such as Teachers College, Columbia University, the City College of New York, and the National Institutes of Health. Key research methods include brain imaging (MRI, DTI), electroencephalography (EEG), and robotic-assisted rehabilitation technologies.

Grant Support

Her research is supported by grants focused on advancing therapies for neurological disorders, though specific funding details are not detailed in the provided text.

Labs & Teams

She leads the Friel Lab, a multidisciplinary team at Burke Neurological Institute, collaborating closely with the Prusky Lab and Hollis Lab to bridge clinical research, neurotechnology, and patient care.