Our Research
Our research focuses on brain-behavior relations, brain plasticity and its modulation, with a specific focus on understanding motor and cognitive circuits and the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation. To accomplish this, the B2Lab combines precise behavioral measurements with neurophysiology and non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to investigate mechanisms of motor control, learning and cognition and their impairments in neurological disorders.
Behavioral measures range from simple psychophysics and reaction times to detailed analysis of force and movement kinematics. Neurophysiological measures include electromyography (EMG) to detect muscle activity and brain imaging measures of brain structure (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) and function (fMRI). Non-invasive brain stimulation tools to measure and modulate brain activity include multi-locus transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is rapidly developing as a powerful technique that can alter neuronal activity in specific brain areas to help better understand brain function. It is an especially promising tool in the treatment of many neurological and movement disorders such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease as NIBS can induce persistent changes in brain plasticity and potentially recalibrate and enhance neural functioning in clinical conditions. However, we have a limited understanding of how NIBS affects a person’s brain and their control of grasping behaviors.
Knowledge gained from this research will inform future translational studies to better treat motor and cognitive impairments in individuals with neurological disorders.
Team B2
Michael Vesia, PhD
Lab Director
Dr. Michael Vesia is an Assistant Professor of Movement Science at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology. He received his PhD in Kinesiology and Health Sciences from York University and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Waterloo and the Krembil Brain Institute.
Dr. Vesia has published nearly 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Neurophysiology, Experimental Brain Research, Brain Stimulation, Cerebral Cortex, Neurology, and the Journal of Neuroscience. His research focuses on understanding brain network dynamics in cognition, perception, and movement after brain injuries and neurological disease. He hopes to improve movement and cognition in older adults through non-invasive brain stimulation and motor-cognitive interventions.
mvesia@umich.edu
Elana Goldenkoff
PhD Candidate
egolden@umich.edu
Joseph Deluisi
PhD Student
jdeluisi@umich.edu
Varun Ravichandran
Research Assistant
varunra@umich.edu
The B2Lab is committed to supporting and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. We recognize that we are stronger when we embrace different backgrounds, perspectives and approaches, in our lab and in our community. Everyone is welcome and will be supported in our lab, regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other element or personal or social identity.
We invite you to learn more about the School of Kinesiology's commitment to diversity, as well as the University of Michigan's office of diversity, equity and inclusion.
B2Lab Alumni
Where are they now?
Maxine Kugelmas - University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus - Neuroendocrine lab
Tess Davis - University of Michigan Ross School of Business University of Michigan Masters in Management
Julianna King - Gap Year working as a coach prior to applying to Grad School
Jordan Raschi - Attending Medical School
Brian Heyman - Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Amir Mashni - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, M.Sc. in Human Movement Science; University of Michigan Medical School
Claire Shea - Michigan State College of Human Medicine
Danielle Destiny - Tufts University School of Medicine
Hallie Remer - University of Miami Miller School of medicine
Hannah Lavis - Baylor University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Jake Dattilio - Physical Therapy Tech at ATI Canton, PT school next year
Julie Waineo - Wayne State University School of Medicine
Katy Michon - PhD student at University of Michigan Dept of Psychology
Megan Gordon - Rehabilitation Services Technician at Special Tree Rehabilitation Services
Puyan Gholizadeh - Surgical Neurophysiologist at Indiana University Health
Semat Adekoya - Duke University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program