Assistant Professor, Bioengineering University of Pittsburgh Phone: (412) 624-2660 Email: gelsyto@pitt.edu

Ph.D., Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology

Research Interests

My work is focused on motor adaptation of locomotion and balance control in humans considering both the plasticity of the brain and the role of biomechanics in movement. I am particularly interested in the adaptability of muscle coordination during motor learning tasks, especially in patients with cortical lesions. I am also very interested in understanding factors that determine the generalization of motor learning acquired on devices, like robots or treadmills, to natural movements. To quantify the human behavior I utilize kinematic and kinetic recordings, factorization analysis of electromyografic signals, and neurological testing. Results from my research are of potential interest to clinicians and researchers in rehabilitation robotics interested in using technological devices to improve movements in patients with motor disorders.

Recent Publications

• Malone L.A., Bastian A.J., and Torres-Oviedo, G. How does the motor system correct for errors in time and space during locomotor adaptation?  J Neurophysiol. 2012 April; doi:10.1152/jn.00391.2011
• Torres-Oviedo G. and Bastian A.J. Natural error patterns enable transfer of motor learning to novel contexts. J Neurophysiol. 2012 Jan; 107(1):346-56.
• Torres-Oviedo G., Vasudevan E.V.L., Malone L.A., and Bastian A.J. Locomotor adaptation. Enhancing Performance for Action and Perception. Prog Brain Res. 2011;191:65-75.
• Safavynia A.S., Torres-Oviedo, G., and Ting H.L. Muscle synergies: implications for clinical evaluation and rehabilitation of movement. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2011 Summer;17(1):16-24.
• Chavatal S.A., Torres-Oviedo G., Safavynia A.S., and Ting H.L. Common muscle synergies for control of center of mass and force in non-stepping and stepping postural behaviors. J Neurophysiol 2011 Aug;106(2):999-1015
• Vasudevan E.V.L, Torres-Oviedo G., Morton S.M., Yang J.F., Bastian A.J. Younger is not always better: development of locomotor adaptation from childhood to adulthood. J Neurosci. 2011 Feb 23;31(8):3055-65
• Torres-Oviedo G. and Bastian A.J. Seeing is believing: effects of visual contextual cues on learning and transfer of locomotor adaptation. J Neurosci. 2010 Dec 15;30(50):17015-22
• Torres-Oviedo G. and Ting L.H. Subject-specific muscle synergies in human balance control are consistent across different biomechanical contexts. J Neurophysiol 2010 Jun;103(6):3084-98
• Torres-Oviedo G. and Ting L.H. Muscle synergies characterizing human postural responses. J Neurophysiol 2007 Oct;98(4):2144-2156.
• Torres-Oviedo G, Macpherson JM, Ting LH. Muscle synergy organization is robust across a variety of postural perturbations. J Neurophysiol. 2006. 96:1530-1546.