Meet the Clinical Research Affiliates of the Human Motor Recovery Laboratory

Research in the Human Motor Recovery Laboratory, directed by Dylan Edwards, PhD, spans the translational continuum from basic science through to clinical trials. The lab is currently conducting clinical trials of exciting potential therapies to enhance rehabilitation and recovery in individuals with stroke or spinal cord injury. One study is a phase III multi-site clinical trial investigating an intensive, home-based telerehabilitation treatment in individuals after stroke (the TR-2 Trial). In this trial, Clinical Research Affiliates have key roles in administering clinical assessments and treatments, as well as facilitating other aspects of the study. Our Institute is pleased to highlight these lab members and share more about their backgrounds and their current work.

An interest in healthcare started early for Benjamin Ayzenberg, PT, DPT, since his mother was a nurse. He realized that physical therapy would allow him to combine his interests in anatomy and physiology, exercise, learning, and helping others into a rewarding career. He earned his DPT at Seton Hall University in 2017, and he is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical. Currently, Benjamin serves as a Therapy Supervisor on the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation - Center City. In the Human Motor Recovery Laboratory, Benjamin has been assisting with the pre-enrollment stage of the TR-2 Trial since April of 2025. Now that enrollment has begun, he’s begun working as a treatment therapist with the goal of becoming a prime site therapy mentor for the trial. Ben remarked that “Working with various team members across the country to get the trial up-and-running has been an amazing learning experience. I look forward to working with enrolled participants and seeing what the results show about telerehab for stroke recovery—hopefully this is a game-changer for rehab!”

As a student at Thomas Jefferson University, Tatiana Guerrero-David, OTD, OTR/L, became involved in research focused on improving standards of care for people with neurological conditions. She graduated from the university’s occupational therapy doctoral program in May of 2023. To her, a career in rehabilitation felt like a way to support people and their loved ones who are holding on to hope during the difficult time after an injury or disease diagnosis. Providing therapy allows her to use her enthusiasm and positive outlook to help her patients and motivate them to engage in problem solving with her to achieve the best results. Tatiana began her role as an assessment therapist for the TR-2 trial in July of 2025. When asked about her experiences in the lab so far, she explained that “We are dedicated to improving available treatment for people affected by stroke. The principal investigators and coordinators are focused on details and making sure we have all our ducks in a row to get going! I am looking forward to being part of a study that's so well-supported. With so many sites, we can learn a lot together and make the most out of the data we can capture.”

Jaun May, OT, OTR/L, originally decided to pursue a career in rehabilitation because it provides a rewarding opportunity to impact people’s lives in a positive manner. After twenty-three years as a practicing occupational therapist, she is still passionate about her work and making a difference for patients. Jaun has been working with investigators at our Institute since 2011, and she has been a clinical assessor for multiple research studies, including clinical trials for home-based mirror therapy, non-invasive brain stimulation interventions, and inpatient telemedicine for stroke. She is currently working as a clinical researcher and assessment therapist for the TR-2 Trial. “I’ve learned a lot since engaging as a clinical assessor with the Institute, and it’s enabled me to really understand how to be systematic with gathering data when launching clinical programs for the stroke patients we serve in inpatient care at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation. I am thankful for the support of our Manager and Director for Rehab as they have made it possible for clinicians to engage in research opportunities,” she said.

A career in occupational therapy has allowed Sonny Misa, OTD, OTR/L, to work at the intersection between teaching and health care, which he loves. Whether he is teaching a patient how to dress themself, problem-solving with someone on how to incorporate new hobbies like birdwatching into their daily routine to get them out in nature, or encouraging patients after a stroke suddenly strips them of their independence, Sonny is dedicated to empowering people to live their lives to the fullest. He was awarded his OTD from Thomas Jefferson University. After graduating, Sonny has been working with Jefferson, Villanova University, and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center on a research study; teaching multiple classes per year at the Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus, and rotating through different units at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation – Elkins Park. He joined the lab in July of 2025, and he will serve as a treatment therapist in the TR-2 Trial. This is Sonny’s first time conducting research with our Institute, and he indicated that, “I do find it fascinating whenever my outpatient brain injury patients go to the motor control lab, as it helps modify what I do moving forward with treatment.” This highlights the interplay and integration between research and clinical care at Jefferson.

Kelly Anne Tierney, PT, DPT, NCS, became interested in physical therapy when she was young and recovering from various sports injuries. During college at the University of Pittsburgh, Kelly Anne volunteered in the rehab unit at a hospital in Pittsburgh. There, she became more interested in neurorehab and decided to pursue it as a career. She completed the physical therapy program at A.T. Still University in Arizona. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles and worked at a brain injury clinic, where she used telerehabilitation to treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April of 2021, Kelly Anne returned to Philadelphia and began working at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation – Riverfront. She began working in the Human Motor Recovery Lab in April of 2025 and is dual-trained as a treatment and assessment therapist for the TR-2 Trial. As enrollment for the trial begins, she noted, “I am looking forward to treating patients via a telerehab setting. It has been interesting to learn about the equipment that will be utilized and how it will help to supplement rehab in the future.”

For Joseph Woltemate, OT, MOT, OTR/L, witnessing a family friend go through the rehabilitation process to recover function after a brain injury inspired him to pursue a career in rehabilitation. He received his bachelor's degree in kinesiology, specializing in movement science, from Pennsylvania State University. He was awarded his Master’s of Science in occupational therapy from University of the Sciences which is now part of St. Joe’s University. Joseph began working as a Treatment Therapist for the TR-2 Trial as a treatment therapist in October of 2024. Reflecting on his work in the lab, Joseph draws inspiration from research participants, one of whom once said, “It’s great to see if the research helps the patient, and it is even better to see if it helps someone else down the line.”