Falk NeuroRehabilitation Engineering Research Center (NeuroRERC)

Through support from The Ralph and Marian Falk Medical Trust Foundation, the Falk Neurorehabilitation Engineering Research Center (Falk NeuroRERC) has become the foundation for research and development activities in neurorehabilitation at Marquette University. The Falk Center targets two areas: 1) scientific inquiry into neuromuscular adaptive mechanisms, especially as related to optimizing the level of functional recovery; and 2) development and evaluation of innovative telerehab-supported therapeutic intervention strategies. Primary target populations are stroke and spinal cord injury.

A suite of laboratories have received support from the Falk Center, most located within close proximity in the first floor of Schroeder Complex North, in highly accessible space:

Falk Neurorehabilitation Engineering Laboratory (Coordinators: Drs. Schmit & Winters)
This core lab of the Falk NeuroRERC is a shared facility with four stations that includes force platforms, EMGs, motion sensing, and integrated supports for patient ceiling lifts.

Neuromotor Control and Neuroevaluation Laboratories (Director: Dr. Robert Scheidt)
The Neurorobotics Lab houses a unique robot that is used in studies of upper extremity neuro-adaptive mechanisms. It can provide a variety of force fields, targeted to studies in normal subjects and persons with stroke.

Neuromechanics Laboratory (Director: Dr. Brian Schmit)
This lab studies the interface between the human nervous system and the environment based on mechanical measurements of the control of movement, with a focus on spinal cord injury and stroke (contractures, spasticity, locomotion, autonomic dysreflexia).

Telerehabilitation and Performance Assessment Laboratory (Director: Jack Winters)
This lab, a collection of three rooms, provides a range of telehealth technologies and modes for wireline and wireless telecommunications. The promary targets are stroke neurorehabilitation and telecoaching for exercise therapy.

Rehabilitation Robotics Laboratory (Director: Michelle Johnson)
This new laboratory, at the Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center located 3 miles from campus, includes a state-of-the-art rehabilitation robot. It's primary focus is on stroke neurorehabilitation.

In addition to this unique set of core facilities, neurorehabilitation researchers collaborate and have access to the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Research Center labs, the functional imaging labs, and the physical therapy/exercise science labs.