Lab Members

Principal Investigator

Dr Valerie Block, PT DPTSc - Principal Investigator

Valerie is an experienced physical therapist whose innovative research at the forefront of neurodegeneration employs cutting-edge wearable technology. Her work addresses a critical gap in conventional MS symptom assessment by tracking patients' real-life activities over extended periods, thus offering a more comprehensive understanding of the disease and the fluctuating nature of its symptoms. This pioneering approach not only promises to revolutionize clinical trials with practical, data-driven insights but also aims to transform patient care by enabling personalized treatment based on daily symptom fluctuations. Valerie's dedication to enhancing quality of life for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases exemplifies the novel, patient-centered research that contributes our inter-professional research group. Her research publications can be found here and here.

Study Personnel

Jeannine Bradsby - Junior Specialist

Jeannine graduated from McGill University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Cognitive Science and a minor in Linguistics. She joined the Block Lab in August 2025, where she coordinates several clinical translational research projects focused on using wearable technology to improve the treatment and monitoring of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Her research interests lie in the intersection of cognitive and motor control, with a particular interest in functional outcomes and rehabilitation strategies in neurologic populations. She plans to pursue a PhD in the future.

Current and Previous Students

Ilana Winawer

Ilana graduated from the DPT UCSF/SFSU Physical Therapy Program (class of 2025). She joined the Block Lab in her first year to explore the overlap between research and clinical application in physical therapy. Ilana’s research interests focus on how progression in multiple sclerosis can be objectively quantified and how these metrics can then be utilized in clinical decision-making. She is currently working on a project exploring the impact of inter-disciplinary pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) education on the rate of PFPT referrals.

Ixel Garcia

Ixel graduated from the DPT UCSF/SFSU Physical Therapy Program (class of 2025). She joined Block Lab in her second year after completing a clinical rotation in pelvic health, where she discovered significant gaps in the literature regarding women's and pelvic health. Ixel's research interests focus on pelvic and women's health, particularly its intersection with various neurological diseases. She is currently working on reviews that highlight the existing gaps in literature for those with pelvic dysfunction, aiming to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and treatment in this critical area of healthcare.