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Our Mentorship Funding Program provides junior faculty and early-career rehabilitation researchers with mentoring and career advancement guidance from senior scientists and clinicians at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Read more about Mentorship Funding

2023 Mentees

Momona Yamagami, PhD, Rice University Research interest: Enabling accessible and equitable virtual rehabilitation with biosignals Primary mentor: Elliot Roth, MD

Shanie Jayasinghe, PhD, University of Minnesota Research interest: Role of cognitive load on lateralized motor control processes Primary mentor: Zev Rymer, MD, PhD

Robert Matthew PhD, University of California, San Francisco Research interest: Identifying the neurological and biomechanical measures of engaged movement in robot-assisted hand therapy Primary mentor: Eric Perreault, PhD

Seyed Javad Mousavi, PT, PhD,  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Research interest: Understanding biomechanical and neuromuscular mechanisms of pain behind MSK disease Primary mentor: Arun Jayaraman, PT, PhD

Edoardo Battaglia, PhD, University of Utah Research interest: Wearable haptic interface systems for movement for UE vibrotactile feedback Primary mentor: Levi Hargrove, PhD

2022 Mentees

Ayse Torres, Ph.D., CRC, LMHC, Florida Atlantic University Research development: Augmented Reality Enhanced Supported Employment for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Primary mentors: Dr. Allen Heinemann (CSTAR) and Dr. Kate Compton (NU)

“The C-STAR Collaborative Mentorship Funding provided a unique opportunity to collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and learn how to design a pilot study. My lead mentor, Dr. Allen Heinemann, provided guidance in the development of my project proposal and supported me in grant writing.” —Ayse Torres, Ph.D., CRC, LMHC

Gu Eon Kang, Ph.D, University of Texas at Dallas Research development: Leveraging Wearable Sensors and Digital Technology to Assess Functional Outcomes and Cognitive Outcomes in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers Primary mentors: Dr. Namratha Kandula and Dr. Levi Hargrove (CSTAR)

“I am working on an NIH grant proposal, and my C-STAR mentors, Dr. Namratha Kandula and Dr. Levi Hargrove, really helped me to improve my proposal. C-STAR mentorship funding also helped me to secure some time so that I can focus on writing and allowed me to explore the foundation of my future research projects.” —Gu Eon Kang, Ph.D

Justin Huber, M.D., M.Sc., University of Kentucky Research development:Assessing Real-World Upper Extremity Performance in Stroke Survivors Primary mentors: Dr. William Zev Rymer and Dr. Eric Perreault (CSTAR)

“Through the C-STAR Collaborative Mentorship Funding, I discovered a sounding board of thought-leaders who shared a genuine interest in my success and sought to catalyze it. I conclude this program with meaningful developments of my research objectives and clarity in my path ahead, which I owe to the generous team at C-STAR.”—Justin Huber, M.D., M.Sc.

Samuel Nemanich, PhD, MSCI, Marquette University Research development:Validity and Reliability of Mobile-based Technology to Assess Children’s Motor Skills Primary mentors: Dr. Julius Dewald (CSTAR) and Dr. Gadi Revivo (Shirley Ryan Ability Lab)

“Participating in the C-STAR mentorship program has helped me advance my research agenda and gain insights into the intersections of neuroscience, technology, and rehabilitation. The individualized mentorship plan is well-designed for young investigators and allows for frequent interaction and collaboration with senior mentors.”—Samuel Nemanich, PhD, MSCI

Tanner Thorsen, Ph.D, University of Southern Mississippi Research development:Application of Wearable Smart Garment and Influence of Cycling Cadence Training on Gait Parameters in Older Adults at Risk of Falling Primary mentors: Dr. Miriam Rafferty (C-STAR) and Dr. Arun Jayaraman (C-STAR)

““My mentorship with C-STAR has been incredibly valuable for me in terms of grantsmanship and study design. The relationships that have formed along the way with my mentorship group have created a great environment to learn, grow, and improve on my path towards research independence.”—Tanner Thorsen, Ph.D