Role
Post-doctoral research fellow and part-time lecturer (Neurological Physiotherapy years 1,2 and 3 and MSc neurological rehabilitation; module lead: Problem solving in neurological rehabilitation)
Qualifications & background
Lisa Bunn joined the Rehabilitation Research Group (Faculty of Health and Educaton) as a post-doctoral fellow in April 2011. Lisa is currently working closely with Professor Marsden and Amanda Austin on a project 'Evaluating interventions for muscle stiffness in people with MS and Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis'.
Previously based in Prof Brian Day's 'Sensori-motor Control Group' in Queen Square (University College London), Lisa undertook a PhD investigating sensory mechansims of balance control in cerebellar disease. Lisa was funded by Ataxia UK to undertake a three year study of neurophysiology for balance in persons with SCA (spino-cerebellar ataxias). Ataxia UK later funded a short post-doctoral study where the feasibility of a novel design of home-based therapy was evaluated. These studies were in collaboration with the Specialist Ataxia Centre at the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery (lead clinician Dr Paola Giunti).
Lisa has gained specialist laboratory and clinical skills over her research career and hopes to build on these during her post-doctoral career.
Prior to her research career Lisa worked as a physiotherapist at Frenchay Hospital (North Bristol) and Stoke Mandeville Hospital and National Spinal Injuries Centre (Buckinghamshire).
Professional membership
- HPC registered 'Physiotherapist'
- Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology (ACPIN)
- Member of the Physiotherapy Research Foundation
- Member of the Physiological Society
- Member of the Movement Disorders Society
- Member of the Plymouth University Rehabilitation Research Group
- Accredited Clinical Educator (CSP)
Roles on external bodies
Sub-committee member of the South West ACPIN branch
Teaching interests
Currently involved with teaching undergraduate physiotherapists and postgraduate therapists. Teaching methods include lecturing, conducting practical sessions aligning with the faculty's emphasis on ultilising a problem-based learning approach.
- Specialist areas:
- Ataxia and cerebellar disease.
- Neuro-rehabilitation and research methods.
- Quantitative measurement of balance and neuro-physiology.
Research interests
Neurorehabilitation: targeting therapies through exploration of disease patho-physiology.
- Quantitative measurement of balance.
- Sensori-motor control.
- Movement disorders.
- Cerebellar disease.
- Falls in neurological disorders.
- The role of vision for balance and visually guided movement.
UoP Research group membership
Centre for Health and Social Care Innovation (CHeSCI)
Rehabilitation
Grants & contracts
2010-2011 MRC and Ataxia UK funded,
University College London
UCL School: Biomedical sciences (Institute of Neurology, Sobell Department, Whole-body sensori-motor group).
2006-2010 Ataxia UK funded, UCL/NHNN, London
UCL School: Biomedical sciences (Institute of Neurology, Sobell Department, Whole-body sensori-motor group). Supervisors: Prof Brian Day, Prof Jonathan Marsden, Dr Paola Giunti.
2004-2006 Senior 2 physiotherapist, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol
2003-2004 Physiotherapist, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury
