Northeastern University · BiologySternad Motor Lab
Dagmar Sternad · Boston, Massachusetts
Research Focus
Dr. Dagmar Sternad's lab explores how humans control complex objects, such as a cup of coffee. Their research aims to understand how motor control strategies can make these interactions more predictable, which is crucial for individuals with motor impairments. By using both virtual simulations and real-life experiments, the lab aims to develop new ways to assess motor function and recovery in patients after strokes, ultimately helping to improve the quality of life for those with neurological conditions.
motor controlneurological disorderscomplex object manipulationpredictabilityvirtual environmentstroke recoveryhuman performance
Research Aims
3AIM 01Test how humans control complex internal dynamics during movement tasks.
AIM 02Examine learning in real-life object manipulation scenarios.
AIM 03Develop metrics to assess motor function in clinical populations.
Skills the Lab Values
robotic manipulandum usevirtual environment modelinghuman motion analysisexperiment designdata collection and analysishaptic feedback techniquesquantitative assessment methodsmotor function testing
Output against the department
Publications227top 27% of dept.281st of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations9.3ktop 41% of dept.426th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.