Student Research Opportunities

Dr. Kimberley has a dedicated commitment to mentoring young investigators and helping people achieve their career goals.

The MGH Institute offers fellowships and full tuition scholarships to qualified students interested in pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences.

Apply for available research assistantships or volunteer on a research project within the Brain Recovery Lab. Skills to be gained while working in the BRL include theoretical and technical expertise in neuroimaging [functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)], neuromodulation [transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)], electromyography, functional assessment and clinical trials involving rehabilitation.

We work with a variety of patient populations including people with stroke and focal dystonias such as spasmodic dysphonia, focal hand dystonia and cervical dystonia.

Be a Participant in a Study

Dystonia

Subjects Needed for Focal Dystonia Research

The MGH Institute of Health Professions is inviting people with focal hand dystonia or laryngeal dystonia to participate in a research study that is investigating how the disease causes faulty brain connections in people with focal dystonia. We will use functional magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Both are safe and painless methods of understanding how the brain works. You may be eligible for travel expense reimbursement.

  • Requirements: Age 21-85
  • No history of seizure in the past 2 years
  • Participation requires two sessions lasting 2.5-3 hours each
  • You will be paid $200

Please MGHIHPbrainrecoverylab [at] mghihp.edu (email Dr. Teresa Kimberley) at the Brain Recovery Lab, call (617) 643-6564 or visit MGB.

Subjects Needed for DYT1 Dystonia Research

The Brain Recovery Lab at the MGH Institute of Health Professions is seeking adults with TOR1A-associated (DYT1) dystonia and their family members for an imaging study to help us understand how this genetic disorder affects brain connections and causes symptoms of DYT1 dystonia. We will use functional magnetic resonance imaging which is a safe and painless method of understanding how the brain works. 

Requirements:

  • Diagnosed with or a family member of someone with TOR1A-associated DYT1 dystonia 
  • Age: 24-89

Study Tasks and Location 

  • MRI session (<2 hr)
    • Martinos Imaging Center – 149 13th Street, Boston, MA (MRI)
  • Neurological exam and blood draw visit (1hr)
    • Building 79/96, 13th Street, Boston, MA
  • Compensation: $200
  • You may be eligible for travel reimbursement

Please MGHIHPbrainrecoverylab [at] mghihp.edu (email Dr. Teresa Kimberley) at the Brain Recovery Lab, or call (617) 643-6564.

Larygeal Dystonia Treatment Study

We are studying an intervention for people with Laryngeal Dystonia. If you are interested in hearing more about this study, please access this link for more information, or brainrecoverylab [at] mghihp.edu (reach out) to Dr. Teresa Kimberley and her staff or call (617) 643-6564. 

 

Subjects Needed for Writer’s Cramp Research

The MGH Institute of Health Professions is inviting people with writer’s cramp to participate in a research study that is investigating how focal hand dystonia causes faulty connections between the brain and affected muscles. We will use functional magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Both are safe and painless methods of understanding how the brain works. You may be eligible for travel expense reimbursement.

  • Requirements: Age 21-85
  • No history of seizure in the past 2 years
  • Participation requires two sessions lasting 2.5-3 hours each
  • You will be paid $200

Please MGHIHPbrainrecoverylab [at] mghihp.edu (contact Dr. Teresa Kimberley at the Brain Recovery Lab), call (617) 643-6564 or visit MGB.

 

Healthy Participants needed for paid research study

We are seeking healthy volunteers to participate in a research study investigating how the brain controls speech and hand movement. We will use functional magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Both are safe and painless methods of understanding how the brain works. The procedure involves placement of a fine wire into your vocal cord muscles. You may be eligible for travel expense reimbursement.

  • Requirements: Age 21-85, but we are especially in need of people over 50 years of age.
  • No history of seizure in the past 2 years
  • Participation requires two sessions lasting 2.5-3 hours each
  • You will be paid $200

Please MGHIHPbrainrecoverylab [at] mghihp.edu (contact Dr. Teresa Kimberley at the Brain Recovery Lab), call (617) 643-6564 or visit MGB.

 

Stroke Rehabilitation

Impaired use of the arm and hand are a major source of disability for people after a stroke. In the Brain Recovery Lab, we are examining novel ways to enhance recovery after stroke. We recently completed an investigation of the effectiveness of Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with intensive arm rehabilitation. VNS therapy has been FDA-approved and is being clinically implemented at Massachusetts General Hospital in partnership with Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. The treatment involves a simple outpatient surgical procedure to implant a small VNS stimulator just beneath the chest skin. Following implantation, individuals will receive 18 sessions of intensive arm training over six weeks. The procedure and therapy are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans.

If you are interested in VNS therapy or would like to learn more, please contact the MGH Neurorecovery Clinic at (617) 726-8459.