Dr. Kristin Zhao

Director, Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory and Spinal Cord Injury Research Program

Biography:

Kristin Zhao, Ph.D., M.S., is the Director of the Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory in the Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center at Mayo Clinic, and the Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Research Program. She has a background in physics, biomechanics, and rehabilitation science. Dr. Zhao uses innovative technologies, device fabrication and imaging methods to investigate pathogenesis related to the musculoskeletal system. The long-term goal of Dr. Zhao’s research team is to develop and use diagnostic tools to enable earlier diagnosis, prescribe effective interventions for individuals with disabilities and diseases, and assess outcomes. Dr. Zhao’s team consists of physicians, nurses, therapists, engineers and administrative staff who collaborate with external and internal investigators. Fields of study represented by this team research include radiology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, physiology and biomedical engineering, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Zhao’s research focus is on the development of assistive technologies across the lifespan, as well as the integration of novel technologies to address issues such as spinal cord injury, upper limb loss, osteoarthritis, and neuromuscular diseases. Additionally, Dr. Zhao’s team is interested in including analyses of sex differences and alleviating health disparities while addressing important translational questions. Dr. Zhao’s research is funded by various organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and the Mayo Foundation.

Address:United States