Mary Barbe

Mary Barbe, PhD, is a Professor at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, with affiliations in multiple research centers: Cardiovascular Sciences, Biomedical Education and Data Science, Neural Sciences, the Center for Substance Abuse Research, and the Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center. She conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of musculoskeletal and neural systems.

Her research interests include:

• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) and the effects of repetitive and forceful tasks on tissue degeneration and inflammation.
• Neural plasticity and sensorimotor dysfunction in animal models.
• Bladder and urethral sphincter reinnervation after spinal cord injury using surgical nerve transfer techniques.
• Role of fibrosis, inflammation, and aging in bone and connective tissue pathology.

Her recent publications show a strong trend in translational research, combining anatomical, physiological, and behavioral assessments in rodent models to understand overuse injuries and neural repair. Her work spans fields such as orthopedics, urology, neuroscience, and rehabilitation science, often involving collaboration with clinical and surgical teams.

Her scientific contributions are recognized through consistent publication in high-impact journals, including Journal of Hand Surgery, Neural Plasticity, Life Sciences, and Nature Reviews Urology, with many articles designated as reviews and freely accessible via PMC.

Mary Barbe has made significant contributions to mentoring and collaborative research, though specific names of advisees are not listed. She has been continuously funded by major NIH institutes, including NIAMS and NINDS, supporting long-term projects on musculoskeletal injury and neural restoration.

She is actively involved in laboratory-based research and collaborates with experts in urology and neuroanatomy. Her lab utilizes advanced techniques such as electrophysiology, neuroanatomical tract tracing, and behavioral assessments to evaluate functional recovery after injury.