PHYSIOLOGY OF WALKING
AND ENGINEERING REHABILITATION
(POWER) LABORATORY
Max Kurz, PhD
Director, PoWER Laboratory, Boys Town National Research Hospital
Associate Clinical Professor, Creighton UniversityPhD – Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Nebraska - Lincoln (2006)
MS – Biomechanics, University of Nebraska - Omaha (1997)
BS – Biology, Doane University (1994)
Max Kurz, PhD, is a senior research scientist at the Institute for Human Neuroscience and the Director of the Physiology of Walking & Engineering Rehabilitation (PoWER) laboratory. His research program uses a blend of multimodal neuroimaging (EEG, MEG, sMRI) and advanced biomechanical engineering methods to uncover the neurophysiology of how individuals make cognitive-motor decisions, integrate sensory information, and generate motor actions. Primary areas of interest include igniting beneficial neuroplasticity in children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (i.e., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome). In addition, his research is directed at the development of innovative rehabilitative solutions.
Dr. Kurz has published over 110 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts that have appeared in tier-one journals such as Cerebral Cortex, NeuroImage, NeuroImage: Clinical, Journal of Biomechanics, and Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. His research has had sustained support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other industry sponsored contracts.
Publications: 110+
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Dynamical Imaging of Cerebral Palsy Gait (NIH R01 HD108205)
Neurophysiology of Responders and Non-responders with Cerebral Palsy (NIH R01 HD101833
Kanishka Baduni , Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
PoWER Lab PhD - University of Georgia. Athens, GA
MPT - (Masters in PT) in Neurological Rehabilitation, DY Patil, Mumbai, India
As a research assistant in the PoWER LAB. Her roles involve participant recruitment, acquiring data, analyzing data for community-based project within the CP community. Current research interests include tracking motor and cognitive trajectories in early development and CP cohort. She loves playtime with babies
Sarah Baker, MA
Research Study Coordinator
PoWER Lab MA – Biomechanics, University of Nebraska-Omaha
BS – Bioengineering minor Mathematics, California Lutheran University
Sarah is a research study coordinator for the PoWER Lab. In this role, she focuses on the development of new technologies, the management of the data processing pipelines and the collection of evaluable data from children and adults with developmental disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy and Down syndrome). When she is not working, you can find her on the pickleball court.
Delana Dotson, BS
Research Study Coordinator
PoWER Lab BS – Psychology with Counselling Minor, Peru State College, (2025)
Delana is a research study coordinator in the PoWER lab. In this role, she leads the data acquisition team as they recruit participants and acquire data as well as helping manage ongoing and future studies. She plans to pursue her Master’s in Clinical psychology to become a therapist one day. In her free time, you can find her playing with her dog, watching anime, or playing video games
Owais Khan, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
PoWER LabPhD – Kinesiology (Motor Behavior), University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Owais received his PhD in Kinesiology (Motor Behavior) from the University of Georgia and his BPT (Physical Therapy) from the DY Patil School of Physiotherapy. As a Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Max Kurz, his goals are to leverage his clinical and research background to improve understanding of brain-behavior linkages following brain injury during early human development. His current research interests include the novel integration of magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) to characterize neurophysiological deficits across the lifespan in individuals with cerebral palsy. Owais is passionate about clinical medical education and is developing a passion for role-playing video games when allowed time off from his parental duties towards his cat Mister Pepper.
Morgan Mahoney, BS
Research Assistant I
PoWER Lab BS – Biochemistry with Psychology Minor, Doane University, (2026)
Morgan is a Research Assistant in the PoWER lab. She is excited to combine her interests in physical therapy and research to learn more about the development of innovative rehabilitation strategies. Within her role, she is responsible for recruiting participants for studies that use neuroimaging techniques to investigate how brain activity relates to motor functions. Outside of work, she enjoys playing pickleball, crafting, and attempting new recipes in the kitchen!
Logan White, MS
Research Assistant I
PoWER Lab MS – Biomechanics, University of Nebraska-Omaha
BS – Health Science, Friends University, Wichita
Logan White is a research assistant at IHN in the PoWER laboratory, where he works on the acquisition team. His responsibilities currently include participant recruitment and data acquisition through cognitive testing, clinical assessment and utilizing various brain imaging techniques (EEG, MEG, fMRI). Logan intends to pursue a PhD and eventually become a director of a human performance lab. In his free time, he enjoys both watching and playing sports (primarily basketball), playing guitar, and avidly supporting the Kansas Jayhawks.
Stephanie Wong, BA
Research Assistant I
PoWER Lab BS – Neuroscience with Data Science minor, Northwestern University, (2025)
Stephanie is a Research Assistant at the PoWER lab. She is interested in studying how neuroplasticity enhances motor learning and skill acquisition in individuals with cerebral palsy. Her responsibilities include using different imaging techniques such as MEG, EEG, and MRI to better understand motor control and brain activity, and to translate these findings into clinical applications. Outside of research, she enjoys playing golf and traveling to new places.