UMass Boston

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Azizah Jor'dan

Department:
Exercise & Health Science
Title:
Assistant Professor

Area of Expertise

Biomedical assessment of gait and postural control in aging, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease, Real-time measurement of cerebral vascular physiology during dual-task walking and standing (i.e., mind-body connections) in aging and type 2 diabetes, Use of brain stimulation (i.e., transcranial direct current stimulation) as an intervention to improve brain function and balance control in vulnerable aging populations.

Degrees

PhD, University of Minnesota (Lifespan Motor Control/Motor Development, Gerontology)

MA, University of Minnesota (Lifespan Motor Development)

BS, University of Minnesota (Kinesiology)

Professional Publications & Contributions

Additional Information

Azizah Jor'dan completed her postdoctoral fellowships in translational research in aging at the Harvard Medical School (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Hebrew SeniorLife) and the VA Boston Healthcare System (Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center). Her research investigates the effects of aging and age-related disease on the direct link between neurophysiology and balance control. 

Professor Jor'dan's NIA-funded project seeks to determine

  1. the effects of aging, type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease on the relationship between the ability to walk and stand and the associated brain activation (i.e., blood flow and oxygen levels) that occurs during these activities, and
  2. if increasing brain activation using noninvasive electrical brain stimulation will result in improved walking and standing in these vulnerable populations.

Her research will, therefore, provide new insights into the control of walking and standing and provide proof-of-concept that brain stimulation can be used as a safe rehabilitative strategy in aging and age-related disease.