Research Interests
I am interested in quantifying muscle activity and movements in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to determine the mechanisms that impair movement speeds during repetitive tasks.  My goal is to develop mathematical criteria, based on kinematic and electromyography data, which can characterize specific phenomena within PD movement symptoms.  Clinicians could potentially use the information to group patients and optimize patient specific treatments.

Degrees
M.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2001

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, 1999

Representative Publications
Taylor Tavares AL, Jefferis GSXE, Koop M, Hill BC, Hastie T, Heit G, Bronte-Stewart HM.  Quantitative measurements of alternating finger tapping in Parkinson’s disease correlate with UPDRS motor disability and reveal the improvement in fine motor control from medication and deep brain stimulation. Mov Disord 2005;20(10): 1286-98.

Wingeier B, Tcheng T, Koop MM, Hill BC, Heit G, Bronte-Stewart HM.  Intra-operative STN DBS attenuates the prominent beta rhythm in the STN in Parkinson’s disease.  Exp Neurol 2006; 197(1): 244-51.

Shivitz N, Miller Koop M, Fahimi J, Heit G, Bronte-Stewart HM. Bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation improves certain aspects of postural control in Parkinson's disease, where medication does not.  Mov Disord 2006; 21(8): 1088-1097.

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