Meet our current and previous researchers in the fellowship program of Translational Aging and Mobility (TRAM). Funding for this post-doctoral program comes from a grant for training, category 32 (T32), awarded to the University of Florida from the National Institutes of Health’s Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards.
Fellow
Natalie Bohmke, Ph.D.
Dr. Natalie Bohmke’s research focuses on investigating circadian clocks in human skeletal muscle. She is studying the effect of aging on molecular circadian rhythms and the impact of exercise interventions on the circadian clock in human skeletal muscle.
Fellow
Charlotte Caskey, Ph.D.
Dr. Charlotte Caskey’s research is focused on using mobile electroencephalography (EEG) to measure changes in brain dynamics in older adults. She is studying how older adults’ brains change with a decline in mobility and how aging affects their ability to adapt to uneven terrain.
Fellow
Rola S Zeidan, Ph.D.
Dr. Rola Zeidan seeks to develop as a translational scientist and better understand the effects of iron homeostasis dysregulation on human diseases. She is investigating how molecular mechanisms translate into changes in mobility, sensory function, and overall health. This approach will contribute to identifying therapeutic strategies to mitigate the functional decline associated with iron dysregulation, inflammation and aging.
Previous Fellows
FELLOW
Brianne Borgia, Ph.D.
Dr. Brianne Borgia’s research focuses on lower extremity gait mechanics, the prevention of injuries in an aging population, and the extrinsic factors, such as footwear, that may affect our movement. As part of her fellowship, she aims to investigate the mechanisms of age-associated gait deficits and develop feasible intervention approaches that can help promote increased mobility and physical activity.
FELLOW
Taylor McElroy, Ph.D.
Dr. McElroy is serving her T32 fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Sung Min Han. She is eager to explore how neuromuscular disease affects mobility in the context of aging.
Fellow
Erika Pilner, Ph.D.
Dr. Erika Pilner quantified the efficacy of balance training on neuromechanical components by manipulating sensory information and measuring electrocortical and biomechanics responses.
Fellow
Valay Shah, Ph.D.
Dr. Valay Shah uses MRI and fMRI techniques to capture brain deficits that relate to mobility impairment in older adults.
Fellow
Emily Smail, Ph.D.
Dr. Emily Smail uses epidemiologic methods to study three core areas: assessment of mental distress and behavioral modifications in response to a changing environment (i.e., COVID-19); prevention of adverse aging phenotypes; and evaluation of ecological mobility and mobility decline in older adults.
