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Laura A. Prosser, PhD
Laura A. Prosser
Investigator

Dr. Prosser's research focuses are the development and rehabilitation of movement in children, particularly those with neurological impairments. This includes the investigation of the development of impaired movement, the study of novel motor rehabilitation interventions in children, and the interaction between the processes of neuroplasticity and neuromaturation in sensorimotor systems.

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Bio

Dr. Prosser's research focuses on characterizing motor development and impairment, and novel neurorehabilitation strategies that maximize neuroplastic potential after injury. She leads the iMOVE trial on rehabilitation programs to alter the trajectory of motor development in toddlers with cerebral palsy. The next phase of this work involves investigating motor training and locomotor learning. Dr. Prosser and her team will study the development of their movement impairments, from spontaneous infant movements through prone and upright locomotion.

Dr. Prosser leads the PANDA project to detect early motor delays in infants at high risk for physical disability by using advanced sensor technology to quantify movement characteristics during spontaneous movement and natural play. Other work includes studies on sensory impairment and balance in children with cerebral palsy, neuroimaging in young children with cerebral palsy, and gait asymmetry in children with hemiplegia from stroke.

In addition, Dr. Prosser leads the PLAY project to collect and share 900 video hours of toddlers engaged in unstructured play. The aim is to promote open science and inform critical questions about infant learning and development. She is also developing a pediatric rehabilitation registry and contributes to the administration of the Center for Rehabilitation's Neuromotor Performance Laboratory, a space for state-of-the-art assessment of motor performance and function.

Notable achievements include:

  • 2018 Susan Harryman Lectureship in Cerebral Palsy, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore
  • Participation on a national committee to develop Common Data Elements for Cerebral Palsy research, a joint initiative by the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke
  • US patent 20170164900-A1 (2017) - Advanced play environment for screening and early diagnosis of infant developmental delays and neurological impairments
  • Nominated for the 2012 Gayle G. Arnold Award for Research Excellence from the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine

 

Education and Training

BS, University of Scranton (Health Science), 2000

MPT, University of Scranton (Physical Therapy), 2001

PhD, Temple University (Physical Therapy), 2009

Titles and Academic Titles

Investigator

Assistant Professor

Senior Fellow, Center for Injury Research and Prevention

Core Faculty, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness

Professional Awards

NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence, 2011

Susan Harryman Cerebral Palsy Lectureship, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 2018

Publication Highlights

Links of Interest