Jessie VanSwearingen, PhD, PT, FAPTA

Dr. Jessie VanSwearingen is an Associate Professor in Physical Therapy with secondary appointment in the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Pittsburgh.  Dr. VanSwearingen received her PhD in Anatomy and Cell Science from the Department of Neurobiology within the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (1992). However, prior to arriving at the University, she graduated with her BS and PT degrees from the University of Delaware, Department of Physical Therapy (1978). Following her undergraduate studies, she received her MS from the Department of Physical Therapy at Ohio State University (1981). Outside of her work at the university, Dr. VanSwearingen is quite active in the science community. She is an active member of several professional societies including the American Physical Therapy Association, Gerontology Society of America, and the Society for Neuroscience, to name a few. Through such affiliations, she currently serves as a Chair of Research Committee of the Section on Geriatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, Manuscript Reviewer for the Journal of the Gerontology, the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, Physical Therapy, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gait and Posture, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Frontiers in Physiology and Neuroscience. Professionally, Dr. VanSwearingen has fostered interests in several areas of her field, including:

• Geriatrics, movement control and neuromotor function
• Facial neuromuscular disorders
• Physiological basis for exercise in health, repair, and recovery of function

Presently, Dr. VanSwearingen teaches clinical electrophysiology, neuroscience, geriatric physical therapy, and analysis of neuromuscular signs and symptoms for clinical decision-making content in Physical Therapy professional and post-professional courses, and guest lectures on similar topics in the Schools of Medicine and Public Health. However, despite all other commitments, she has remained active in both clinical and research efforts at the university. Due to her research efforts and clinical work, she has been the recipient of multiple awards and is the author/co-author of many publications. View a list of Dr. VanSwearingen’s publications here.