Andrea Zonnino
Papers
6
Total Citations
46
H-Index
3
About
Andrea Zonnino is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of neuroimaging and rehabilitation robotics, whose work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of the brainstem’s role in motor control. Her primary research areas include fMRI-compatible mechatronics, sensorimotor integration, and the reticulospinal tract (RST)—a critical but understudied pathway for motor recovery after stroke. Zonnino’s major contribution is the development of **StretchfMRI**, a novel technique that combines precisely controlled mechanical perturbations with functional MRI to noninvasively measure RST function in humans. This method, detailed in her 2019 and 2021 papers (with 8 and 13 citations, respectively), directly addresses a long-standing gap in neuroscience by enabling the quantification of long-latency responses (LLRs) and brainstem activity during stretch reflexes. Her work has shown that increased RS function can both aid and hinder recovery after corticospinal lesions, providing crucial insights for personalized rehabilitation. Zonnino also designed the **UDiffWrist**, a low-impedance wrist exoskeleton with cable-differential actuation, demonstrating how kinematic compatibility can be optimized for robot-assisted therapy. With a total of over 45 citations across her most-cited papers, Zonnino’s research is shaping the future of neurorehabilitation by bridging engineering innovation with clinical neuroscience.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2Measurement of stretch-evoked brainstem function using fMRI13 citations · 2021
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