Joan O'Keefe, PT, PhD

Joan Ann (Joanne) O’Keefe, PhD, PT has expertise in the detection and characterization of gait and balance impairments in a variety of movement disorders. She received her BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois-Chicago, her PhD in Anatomy and Neurobiology from Loyola University Chicago and postdoctoral training at the University of Kentucky.  She is presently conducting an NIH funded study as Principal Investigator studying the impact of cognition on balance and gait markers for the development of Fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), which occurs in some carriers of the Fragile X gene. She is also conducting numerous studies in Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease and Niemann-Pick Type C1.   Dr. O’Keefe also has conjoint faculty appointments in Neurological Sciences and Occupational Therapy at Rush University.  She has served as the Neuroscience Block Director for Rush University medical students and has expertise in teaching human gross anatomy, histology and neuroscience to students in Rush Medical College, the Graduate College and the College of Nursing. Dr. O’Keefe received the Rush University Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017 and is presently President-Elect of the Chicago Chapter Society for Neuroscience.