Dr. Petersen's primary research interests include using bioengineering to investigate the role of physical activity in neurobehavioral recovery in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and developing patient-centered interventions to improve the lives of children with neuromotor disorders. Specifically, she aims to determine associations of physical activity with neurobehavioral recovery and BDNF during recovery. She also will use human-centered design to co-design a physical activity intervention with children with TBI, their families and healthcare providers. Her work will inform the development of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of physical activity to promote neurobehavioral recovery in children with TBI.
- BS, Kinesiology, Penn State University, PA, 2013
- MS, Kinesiology- Biomechanics, Penn State University, PA, 2015
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), University of Pittsburgh, PA, 2018
Education & Training
Dr. Petersen's publications are indexed in PubMed
Pediatric TBI, physical activity, accelerometry, bioengineering, biomarkers, neuromotor disorders, human-centered design