Victoria Moerchen

Victoria Moerchen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's College of Health Sciences and serves as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School. Her research is centered in the Pediatric Neuromotor Laboratory, where she investigates both basic and translational aspects of motor development in infants and toddlers.

Her primary research interests include:

• Motor Development and Developmental Motor Control
• Pediatric Physical Therapy and Evidence-based Practice
• Sensorimotor Integration and Socio-motor Interaction
• Translational interventions for infants with neuromotor delays, including conditions such as spina bifida, Down syndrome, and autism

With over 15 years of prior clinical experience in early intervention, Moerchen's work bridges theory and practice, focusing on ecologically relevant interventions. She has secured significant grant funding, including an NIH R01 grant as Co-Principal Investigator and multiple internal and external awards as Principal Investigator or Director, totaling over $2.3 million.

Moerchen actively mentors students through programs such as the Pre-Professional Clinician-scholars initiative. She also serves the academic community as an ad hoc reviewer for six peer-reviewed journals and for funding agencies including NIDRR and NIH. Her leadership roles include serving as Research Chair for the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association (2009-2015).

Her laboratory, the Pediatric Neuromotor Laboratory, utilizes an infant treadmill paradigm to address both basic science and clinical questions in motor development.