Jon Shemmell
BSc BAppSc(Hons)(Deakin) MSc PhD(Qld)
Tel 64 3 479 8388
Email jon.shemmell@otago.ac.nz
Background
Jon Shemmell joined the School in 2009. After obtaining a Bachelors degree in Sports Coaching (1997) from Deakin University (Melbourne, Australia), Jon completed a Master of Science (1999) and PhD (2004) in Motor Control and Neurophysiology at The University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia). He went on to investigate methods for improving outcomes for stroke survivors during his postdoctoral training in Clinical Neurophysiology (2005-2008) at Boston University (Boston, United States) and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (Chicago, United States).
Research Interests
Dr Shemmell’s laboratory investigates the contribution of neural adaptation to exercise-related improvements in arm and hand control. A specific focus of the lab is the development and optimisation of movement rehabilitation techniques for stroke survivors. We aim to improve stroke rehabilitation methods using advanced sensory and motor stimulation techniques to induce neural adaptations beneficial to motor learning and recovery. The Neural Control of Movement Lab is part of the Brain Health Research Centre at the University of Otago.
Current research interests include:
- Identifying neural structures involved in the regulation of spinal reflex excitability and abnormal muscle coupling;
- Determining the effects of prolonged sensory stimulation on cortical adaptations during learning and stroke rehabiliation; and
- Optimising a painless, non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has shown promise as a tool for enhancing motor learning and stroke rehabilitation.
Selected publications
Shemmell J., Krutky M. A., Perreault E. J. (2010) Stretch sensitive reflexes as an adaptive mechanism for maintaining limb stability. Clinical Neurophysiology, 121(10):1680-1689.
Shemmell, J. & Perreault, E. J. (2009) The Differential Role of Motor Cortex in Stretch Reflex Modulation Induced by Changes in Environmental Mechanics and Verbal Instruction. Journal of Neuroscience, 29: 13255-13263.
Shemmell, J., Corcos, D.M. & Hasan, Z. (2009) Kinetic and kinematic adaptation to anisotropic load, Experimental Brain Research, 192(1), 1-8.
Shemmell, J., Riek, S., Tresilian, J. R. & Carson, R. G. (2007) The role of the primary motor cortex during skill acquisition on a complex movement task, Journal of Motor Behavior, 39(1), 29-39.
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Last Updated 26 Mar 2012
