- FF14, PAHC, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 588882
- lisa.bunn@plymouth.ac.uk

Profiles
Dr Lisa Bunn
Lecturer in Clinical Research
School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health)
Lecturer of Clinical Research
Qualifications
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).
In her clinical career Lisa worked in the Specialist Ataxia Centre of UCLH, as a physiotherapist at Frenchay Hospital (North Bristol) and Stoke Mandeville Hospital and National Spinal Injuries Centre (Buckinghamshire).
In 2012 Lisa won the Gordon Holme's prize for Clinical Neuroscience from the Royal Society of Medicine and in 2016 Lisa was nominated a student elected SSTAR award for 'Most Innovative Use of Teaching Methods'.
Professional membership
- HCPC 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 Movement Disorders Society
- Member of the International Society of Posture and Gait Research
- Member of the Plymouth University Rehabilitation Research Group (Institute of Health and Community)
Roles on external bodies
Member of the research advisory committee for Action for AT (ataxia telangiectasia).
Key publications
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.
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
· PhD student, Helen Hartley, NIHRfellowship, ASPECT Study : The ASsessment and Physiotherapy managEment of ataxia in Childrenfollowing surgical resection of posterior fossa Tumour", ref:ICA-CDRF-2016-02-065 for an ICA Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship, HealthEducation England. £223,377.00 Children following surgical resection ofposterior fossa Tumour
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
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
Journals