Our students are actively engaged in interdisciplinary research teams across the College of Health Sciences and work with master's and doctoral-level students to help address some of the most pressing health issues impacting our border region and nation. Some of the labs currently recruiting rehabilitation sciences undergraduates include:

• Clinical and Applied Physiology Lab: The CAPh Lab studies the effects of common lifestyle interventions (e.g. exercise and nutritional supplements) in the cardiovascular system, more specifically in the pathophysiological interactions with atherosclerosis. The CAPh Lab uses a “reverse translational’ model, where results observed in clinical populations in vivo are transferred to in vitro systems to study the molecular adaptations.  (Email Dr. Alvaro Gurovich at agurovich@utep.edu for more information)

• Experimental Pain Research Lab: The Experimental Pain Research Lab is dedicated to the investigation, understanding and effects of the pain modulatory system and biopsychosocial factors in the development of musculoskeletal chronic pain. The lab utilizes the most current knowledge in the area of pain to educate future scientists and health professionals, and collaborates with scientists from several disciplines (Physical Therapy, Public Health, Rehabilitation Counseling, Pharmacy, and Neuroscience) to connect their expertise and increase understanding of the pain puzzle. (Email Dr. Carolina Valencia at cvalencia4@utep.edu for more information)

• NeuroEXCEL Lab: The NeuroEXCEL team uses advanced methodologies, including interviews, to understand the challenges and mindsets of stroke survivors, as well as wearable sensors to track physical activity and sedentary behaviors, offering valuable, real-time insights into the daily patterns of stroke survivors. These combined efforts aim to significantly advance the field of neurorehabilitation, tailoring effective strategies for stroke survivors' rehabilitation and recovery. 

• Neurological Disorders and Stress Management Lab: The NDSM Lab focuses on exploring malleable risk and protective factors that can help people with neuropsychiatric disabilities manage stress more effectively. Specifically, the team is interested in identifying and bolstering protective positive psychological factors that can buffer the negative effects of stress on mental health and well-being in people with neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The lab team is also interested in examining factors that can improve psychosocial outcomes in people with neurological disorders, especially those from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities).

• Neuroplasticity and Motor Function Lab: The NMFR lab team seeks to understand mechanisms of neuroplasticity after the brain experiences a neural injury like stroke. Their work sits at the intersection of mechanistic neuroscience and clinical neurorehabilitation. They combine transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and electroencephalography (EEG) with high-resolution measures of upper extremity behavior - electromyograms (EMG), accelerometry, force sensors, and standardized clinical tests to link circuit-level neuroplasticity with what people can and do use in their daily lives.

• Pain Modulation and Rehabilitation Research Lab: The PMR Lab is dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of endogenous pain modulation mechanisms and translating these discoveries into evidence-based interventions for improved patient care. The lab investigates how the nervous system naturally modulates pain through conditioned pain modulation (CPM), exercise-induced hypoalgesia, and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. 

We encourage you to reach out to the faculty directors of these labs to discuss currently available positions on their teams. You can also check out all of the different areas of research in our college at our Research Clusters page!