Sudarshan Dayanidhi, PT, PhD

Developmental injuries such as those of either the central or peripheral nervous system have a significant impact on the function of the musculoskeletal system. They negatively affect childhood growth, quality of life, and the ability of these children to actively participate in their environment. Over the past 20 years I have worked both clinically as a pediatric physical therapist and as a researcher to understand musculoskeletal development and its dysfunction due to injuries to the nervous system at birth. To better enable me in this endeavor I have sought diverse training in pediatric physical therapy, mechanical engineering and biomechanics. My doctoral work in neuroscience, postdoctoral work in muscle physiology and metabolism are all related to childhood development. My current research focuses on:

• A) The role of muscle stem cells dysfunction in impaired musculoskeletal growth in children with cerebral palsy and
• B) The contribution of altered muscle metabolism to increased energy expenditure in children with cerebral palsy.