Our Team

Laura McPherson, PT, DPT, PhD

Assistant Professor
SNR Lab Director and Principal Investigator
Program in Physical Therapy, Department of Neurology, Program in Neurosciences
Washington University School of Medicine

Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Neurophysiology
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

DPT and PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and McCormick School of Engineering

BE, Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience (minor)
Vanderbilt University School of Engineering

Google Scholar page

We have positions open – come join our team!

Current openings

Krystal Panagiotaros, BS, SPT

Krystal received her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Molecular Emphasis from Loyola University Chicago in 2022. Here she participated in research as an undergraduate student in a biology lab that focused on cartilage development in vertebrae skeleton development. While at Loyola she also dedicated time to the environmental alliance that focused on improving sustainability efforts on campus. Krystal joined Washington University’s Program in Physical Therapy Class of 2026, where she received a research assistantship so that she could continue research throughout her graduate studies.

Rui Gong, BS, SPT

Rui Gong earned her bachelor’s degree in health sciences from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where she developed a foundation in healthcare and research. Driven by a passion for advancing her knowledge in rehabilitation sciences, Rui decided to pursue a DPT degree at Washington University in St. Louis, starting in Fall 2024. Alongside her academic and clinical training, she received a research assistantship at the Systems Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Lab, further enriching her experience in physical therapy and neurological rehabilitation.

Now recruiting!

We are recruiting PhD students through multiple degree programs:

Movement Science

Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences – Neurosciences

Biomedical Engineering

Daniel Free, BS, PhD

Staff Scientist

Daniel received his Bachelor’s and Doctoral degree from Brigham Young University, both in Mechanical Engineering. His research focused on identifying which upper limb muscles were most responsible for pathological tremor through both experimental data and simulation. Following the completion of his PhD work, he accepted a position as a Staff Scientist in the SNR lab in 2024 to continue to further his research regarding the neural control of movement.

Skyler Simon, BS

Senior Research Technician

Skyler received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Environmental Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 2020. During her undergraduate program, she ran on Wash U’s cross country and track and field teams, which led to her interfacing with Wash U’s physical therapy program as a patient. After working in engineering for a few years, she joined the SNR Lab in 2023 as a Research Assistant to pursue her burgeoning interest in studying human movement.

Abbey Painter, BS

Research Technician I

Abbey received her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Purdue University in 2023. During her undergraduate experience she focused on biomechanics and bioelectricity through classwork and many projects, including receiving recognition for a new detection method of Myocardial Infarctions in underrepresented patients. Abbey joined the SNR lab in 2024, with hopes to further her knowledge on biomechanics.

The SNR Lab has openings for undergraduate students of all degree paths to get involved in research. Please reach out to PI Dr. Laura McPherson if you are interested in learning more.