Max J. Kurz
Principal InvestigatorContact Information
Institute for Human Neuroscience
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Dr. Kurz is a research scientist in the Institute for Human Neuroscience and Director of the Physiology of Walking & Engineering Rehabilitation (PoWER) Laboratory. His research program uses a blend of multimodal neuroimaging (EEG, MEG, sMRI) and advanced biomechanical engineering methods to uncover the neurophysiology of how individuals make cognitive-motor decisions, integrate sensory information, and generate motor actions. Primary areas of interest include igniting beneficial neuroplasticity in children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (i.e., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome). In addition, his research is directed at the development of innovative rehabilitative solutions.
Education
BS - Biology, Doane University (1994)
MS - Biomechanics, University of Nebraska-Omaha (1997)
PhD - Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2006)
Morgan Busboom
Graduate StudentContact Information
Institute for Human Neuroscience
Boys Town National Research Hospital
I am interested in using neuroimaging and biomechanical methods to study the underlying neurophysiology of current and novel physical therapy treatments in persons with cerebral palsy.
Education
BS – Exercise Science Major, Health and Administration Minor, Creighton University (2015)
MS – Exercise Physiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha (2017)
DPT – Doctor of Physical Therapy, Creighton University (2020)
Jennifer Kime
Lab ManagerContact Information
Institute for Human Neuroscience
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Jennifer Kime is the Research Lab Manager in the Institute for Human Neuroscience in the Physiology of Walking & Engineering Rehabilitation (PoWER) Laboratory. She graduated with an honors B.S. major in biomedical engineering and minors in health care ethics and mathematics in 2017 and M.S. in 2019 from Saint Louis University. Jennifer is a big sports fan and dog lover.
Education
BS – Biomedical Engineering with Minors in Mathematics and Health Care Ethics, Saint Louis University, 2017
MS – Biomedical Engineering, Saint Louis University, 2019
Sarah Baker
Research Study CoordinatorContact Information
Institute for Human Neuroscience
Boys Town National Research Hospital
I have been the lead research coordinator for the data analysis and a member of the PoWER Lab for five years. Specifically, I lead the development of new technologies, the management of the data processing pipelines and collection of evaluable data from children and adults that have developmental disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy and Down syndrome). When I am not working, I can be found on the pickleball court.
Education
BS – Bioengineering minor Mathematics, California Lutheran University (2015)
MA – Biomechanics, University of Nebraska Omaha (2017)
Olyvia Kastner
Research Study Coordinator Contact Information
Institute for Human Neuroscience
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Olyvia is a research study coordinator in the PoWER lab. As a research study coordinator, she leads the data acquisition team as they recruit participants and acquire data. She works closely with the lab manager to lead recruitment efforts and to help manage ongoing as well as future studies. She is currently pursuing her Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Bellevue University in hopes of being a therapist one day. She is very passionate about connecting with and helping others.
Education
BA - Psychology & Sociology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2023)
Jiraros Meejang
Research AssistantContact Information
Institute for Human Neuroscience
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Jiraros is a Research Assistant who works closely with Dr. Kurz and supports research projects in neuroscience. Her current research interests focus on how the brain functions utilizing MEG and EEG neuroimaging. She completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at the University of Maryland. Before moving to Nebraska, she worked with various neurobehavioral patients as a clinical assistant at Kennedy Krieger Institute. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and attending live sporting events.
Education
BS - Neuroscience, University of Maryland (2022)
Katherine Scalzo
Research AssistantContact Information
Institute for Human Neuroscience
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Katherine Scalzo is a research assistant in the Physiology of Walking and Engineering Rehabilitation (PoWER) Laboratory at the Institute for Human Neuroscience. She graduated with a B.A. majoring in psychology and minoring in Biology from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas in 2024. Her research interests include studying the interactions between brain health, movement, and exercise. Katherine hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology or neuroscience in the future.
Education
BA - Psychology, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas (2024)
Logan White
Research AssistantContact Information
Institute for Human Neuroscience
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Logan White is a research assistant at the Institute for Human Neuroscience in the Physiology of Walking & Engineering Rehabilitation (PoWER) Laboratory. He graduated with an honors B.S. in Health Science from Friends University, Wichita, KS in 2021 and a M.S. in Biomechanics from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE in 2023. Logan intends to pursue a PhD and eventually become a director of a human performance lab. In his free time, he enjoys both watching and playing sports (primarily basketball), playing guitar, and avidly supporting the Kansas Jayhawks.
Education
BS - Health Science, Friends University, Wichita, KS, (2021)
MS - Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, (2023)
Liana Chinen
Undergraduate Research Assistant Contact Information
Institute for Human Neuroscience
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Liana is a research intern at the Institute for Human Neuroscience in the Physiology of Walking & Engineering Rehabilitation (PoWER) Laboratory. She is a rising junior at Creighton University studying biology on the pre-medical tract. She is interested in neuroscience research, particularly involving altered movement seen in geriatric patients and in clinical populations such as individuals with Cerebral Palsy. As a dancer since the age of 4, she is passionate about contributing to science that works towards discovering ways to maintain and/or improve mobility. In her free time, she enjoys dancing for the Creighton Dance Company and Hawaii Club, volunteering, reading, facetiming her family in Hawaii, and going out to dinner with friends.
Education
Obtaining BS - Biology, Creighton University, Currently attending
Katie Bemis
Physical TherapistContact Information
Center for Human Performance Optimization
Boys Town National Research Hospital
I am a physical therapist with years of experience working with individuals who have neurological injuries and mobility impairments. I enjoy combining my clinical care expertise with a passion for collaboration in research that is meaningful to therapists, children, and families.
I love problem solving, learning, creating individualized treatments to meet the evolving needs of my patients, and creatively utilizing state-of-the-art technology to challenge mobility and help individuals reach their potential.
When I’m not working as a physical therapist, I love spending time with my family/friends, playing outdoors with my dog Kaia, golfing, playing/watching volleyball, and staying active.
Education
B.S. - Exercise Science, Rockhurst University (2012)
DPT - University of Iowa (2014)
Ang Starr
Administrative AssistantContact Information
Center for Human Performance Optimization
Boys Town National Research Hospital
531-355-8910
Ang is a health care professional at the Center for Human Performance Optimization. She loves to help people and wanted to get involved in the Physical Therapy that works alongside with IHN. She grew up in the country outside of Omaha and enjoys nature and animals. When she is not working, she is walking her dogs or spending time working on cars.
Education
Administration/ Finance
Sharon Thompson
Physical TherapistContact Information
Center for Human Performance Optimization
Boys Town National Research Hospital
402-541-2242
Sharon is a Physical Therapist at the Center for Human Performance Optimization (CHPO). She has years of experience with pediatric care and working with children who have a range of conditions. She is passionate about accelerating patient outcomes through collaboration with the research department and integrating the latest evidence-based practices into her treatments. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and two dogs, checking out new hiking trails and activities around the Omaha Metro Area.
Education
B.S.- Athletic Training, University of Nebraska Omaha, 2016
DPT- Doctor of Physical Therapy, Franklin Pierce University, 2020