Kelly Rock, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS

Hometown: Haddonfield, NJ

Year I became a Gator: 2023

Department: Physical Therapy

Mentor: Krista Vandenborne, PhD

Research focus: Skeletal muscle properties and performance in individuals with chronic health conditions across the lifespan.

What drives me: As a pediatric physical therapist, I am motivated to identify and test sensitive outcome measures that can be used to detect impairments and changes due to intervention in skeletal muscles. Our patients deserve more rigorous research evidence to support the rehabilitation goal to “get stronger” and the application of rehabilitation techniques.

What I like most about the BREATHE Training Program: The BREATHE training program provides opportunities for advancing research methodology alongside world-renown experts in the field of breathing and airway control.

What I like about Gainesville: I love the variety of outdoor activities that Gainesville provides.

Why I chose BREATHE at the University of Florida: I chose BREATHE at the University of Florida to advance research in the skeletal muscles of breathing — as the effect of impairments in these muscles are often under-recognized in chronic health conditions across the lifespan.

What makes the BREATHE Training Program unique? The multidisciplinary translational research focus of the BREATHE training program provides a strong environment to learn from both basic science and clinical researchers.

What I do for fun: I’m a human and dog mom and enjoy spending time outside with my family. I also enjoy watching cringeworthy reality TV series.