New
SHMS Faculty
22
Fortunato Battaglia, MD, PhD, joined the SHMS faculty in January 2012. Battaglia received his medical degree from the University of Messina, Italy, in 1994, where he completed a residency in neurology focusing on clinical neurophysiology. He then completed a fellowship in neurorehabilitation at NIHNINDS. Battaglia also received a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Messina. He completed his postdoctoral training at New York University and Columbia University. In 2004, he became the director of neuroscience at Sophie Davis Biomed, CUNY and in 2009, he moved to New York College of Podiatric Medicine where he became the director of neuroscience and director of brain stimulation and the Motor Control Laboratory. He has 15 years of experience in the field of electromyography, brain stimulation and motor control. He’s currently the principal investigator of a research grant for the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation.
Jillian Duff, PT, PhD, CAE, joined the SHMS faculty in September 2011, as a full-time assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. Duff received a BEd from the University of Exeter (England, UK) and an MS in physical therapy from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. In 2010, she received a PhD in environmental health science (ergonomics and biomechanics) from New York University and was awarded national certification as a certified associate ergonomist. Before joining the SHMS faculty, she worked as a clinician, senior ergonomist and manager in the field of industrial ergonomics and rehabilitation. Duff is enjoying teaching and mentoring students within the DPT program. She also continues to research and consult in the areas of industrial ergonomics and injury prevention.
Kristiane Walter George, PT, MEd, PCS, has been an active practitioner of physical therapy in acute care, adult and, most recently, pediatric rehabilitation. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in health and physical education, a graduate certificate in physical therapy from New York University, her master’s degree from Seton Hall University in counseling and a PhD in pediatric science (2011) from Rocky Mountain University in Provo, Utah. She earned a Certification in Pediatric Specialty Practice from the American Board of Physical Therapist Specialists in 2001 and was recertified by portfolio in 2011. Her most current experience is in pediatric schoolbased and early intervention practice. Her research dissertation investigated the effects of an elastic garment and strapping system on functional movement in children with cerebral palsy. George plans to continue her research on motor disability and its effects on the lives of family members and how intervention outcomes can be tailored to meet the needs of the child and family in the home environment.