Abstract:

Humans are the only mammalian species that stands, walks and runs predominantly on two legs, the consequence of a chain of evolutionary adaptations to the food-sourcing, security and reproductive requirements of our primate ancestors, forged under the unrelenting pressure of environmental constraints. We have survived and thrived thanks in large part to the profound success of this unique and finely balanced form of bipedal locomotion, which has shaped not only the biomechanics of our upright skeletal structure but also the complex and closely integrated sensory, perceptuomotor and cognitive neural networks, and, inevitably, associated pathologies. This talk will describe some of our research into human movement and balance, exploring fundamental sensorimotor interactions and describing technologies and studies in the diagnosis and treatment of certain movement-affecting conditions.

Bio:

Dr Pelah's research lies at the intersection of engineering, neurobiology and clinical medicine, particularly in the neurophysiology of movement, balance and vision, in which he has also developed and translated a number of award-winning technologies for assessment or treatment in conditions including chronic pain, osteoarthritis, Parkinson's disease, pediatric visual perimetry and long COVID-19. He obtained his doctorate in engineering and neurophysiology from the University of Cambridge, followed by faculty positions at Cambridge, Harvard Medical School and the University of York. He leads

clinical trials and maintains active scientific collaborations mainly at Florida Atlantic University, Cambridge, York and the National Health Service (England).