How can we harness the brain's adaptive capacity for neuroplasticity to improve human health in the face of aging, injury, and disease?
Our lab takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding brain resilience through human movement. Whether maintaining balance, recovering from injury, or adapting to neurological changes, our ability to move through the world depends on the dynamic interplay between neural plasticity, vascular health, and biomechanical function. We use techniques from neuroscience, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and clinical rehabilitation to understand why some brains are more resilient to aging and injury than others, and how movement shapes our ability to learn, adapt, and thrive in a constantly changing world.
The ultimate goal of our research is to develop individualized and physiologically- informed interventions that extend the healthy years of a person's life, and reduce the burden of chronic disease and disability.
Explore the Brains in Motion lab with Dr. Palmer HERE !
Recent Lab News
Dr. Palmer recently published a paper analyzing the cerebrovascular response to exercise and dual-task balance performance of cognitively normal older adults with the APOE4 genotype.
Read it HERE.
We are hiring a Research Associate!
Our lab is looking for a highly motivated individual to join our team as a Research Associate. This person will play a vital role in conducting biomechanical and neurophysiologic human subjects' assessments as well as keeping the lab running efficiently. Click HERE to read the full job description and apply! (Alternatively search for job ID #373059 in the UMN jobs website).
American Society of Neurorehabilitation 2026
Crystal traveled to Los Angeles, CA to present a poster at ASNR (March 25-27, 2026). Her work on muscle specificity was a hit!
APTA Combined Sections Meeting 2026
Si-Yu, Grace, and Dr. Palmer traveled to Anaheim, CA (Feb 12-14, 2026) to present their work at CSM. Si-Yu was selected to present at The Marilyn Gossman Graduate Student Research Seminar. This is a highly selective platform session that highlights research from post-professional graduate students pursuing an advanced degree. Grace and Dr. Palmer each presented posters at the conference.
Dr. Palmer speaks about the importance of consistent exercise in preserving brain health and physical function.
Read the article HERE.
Graduate student, Si-Yu Tsai, released a new preprint on reactive stepping kinemetics and relationships to evoked cortical responses in older adults with and without stroke.
Check it out HERE.
Undergrad BME honors student, Crystal Gettman, was awarded a UROP award to support her exciting work investigating how reactive balance EMG activity patterns change with aging and learning. We can't wait to see what she discovers!
This project is in collaboration with Dr. Aiden Payne at Ohio University. Check out our foundational paper on muscle specificity, balance stiffness, cognitive function, and relationships to cortical activity in older adults HERE
See our lab's featured story in the Medical School Annual Report 2025!
Click HERE to see a short video that the Medical School made about our lab's new SuperAgers study.
Our recently funded "fast-moving SuperAgers" study was featured in the Alexandria Echo Press (11/7/2025)
Click HERE to read more about our lab's upcoming study on SuperAgers in the Alexandria Echo Press Editorial!
The Minnesota Star Tribune featured an article on our lab's new "fast-moving SuperAgers" study (10/8/2025)
Dr. Palmer received an NIH Director's New Innovator Award to study "fast-moving SuperAgers," people age 75+ who have no cognitive decline and can walk as fast as people 30 years younger. What makes these individuals seemingly resilient to the typical effects of aging? Click HERE to read the Minnesota Star Tribune article.
Steele County Fair (8/15/2025)
Si-Yu, Grace, and Crystal traveled to the Steele County Fair in Owatonna, MN to work the MnDRIVE tables. We had a great time spreading the word about MnDRIVE and brain research. Families loved our fun brain-themed games and prizes!
Age Friendly University Research Day (6/23/2025)
Our lab returned to Age Friendly University Day for our second year! We had a booth where we offered free blood pressure screenings and transcranial ultrasound demos. We had a great time meeting individuals who are interested in research.
American Society of Neurorehabilitation 2025
Si-Yu and Jacquelyn each presented posters at the American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR) in Atlanta, GA (April 23-25, 2025).
Si-Yu receives 2024 Shelley Joseph-Kordell Memorial Scholarship
Si-Yu was awarded the Shelley Joseph-Kordell Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship provides annual funding to University of Minnesota graduate students who are committed to pursuing a career in aging services. This scholarship will help support Si-Yu's dissertation project. Congrats Si-Yu!
Click HERE to read more about the scholarship and the recipients.
Dr. Palmer speaks to Minnesota Public Radio
Dr. Palmer was invited to speak to Minnesota Public Radio about brain injury after concussion and the role of physical therapy. Click here to listen to the interview.
Age Friendly University Research Day (6/24/2024)
Our lab had a booth at Age Friendly University Day where we offered free blood pressure screenings and transcranial ultrasound demos.
