People
Research Interests
My research interests are directed towards understanding healthy and pathological neuromuscular control. Specifically, I am interested in sensorimotor function and how neurological and muscular pathology changes how we interact with our environment. I am interested in investigating how neural changes due to aging, chronic health conditions, and movement disorders affect functional actions including cognition and actions of daily living.
Recent Publications and Research Activity
Gorniak, S.L., Wagner, V., Vaughn, K., Perry, J., Gulley Cox, L.I., Hibino, H., Hernandez-Montero, S.A., Hernandez, A., Pollonini, L., (2023). Use of Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Detect Cortical Activation Changes Concurrent with Memory Loss in Postmenopausal Women with Type II Diabetes. Experimental Brain Research (in press). DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06581-1
Gorniak, S.L., Meng, H., Pollonini, L. (2022). Correlation between subcutaneous adipose tissue of the head and body mass index: Implications for functional neuroimaging. Human Movement Science. 85: 102997. PMID: 36041254.
Meng, Hao, & Gorniak. Stacey L.. (2022). Obesity Is Associated With Gait Alterations and Gait Asymmetry in Older Adults. Motor Control. (in press). https://doi.org/10.1123/mc.2021-0125.
DiBello, S.A., Wurdeman, S.R., Gorniak, S.L. (2021). Orthotic Research Initiative for Outcomes aNalysis (ORION I): predictors of PROMIS PF for stroke survivors seeking orthotic intervention. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2: 1-6. PMID: 34473570
Hibino, H., Gorniak, S.L. (2021). Dependence & Reduced Motor Function in Heart Failure: Future Directions for Well-Being. Heart Failure Reviews. (in press). PMID: 34302579.
Gorniak, S.L., Ochoa, N., Gulley Cox, L.I., Khan, A., Ansari, S., Thames, B.H., Ray, H., Lu, F.Y., Hibino, H., Watson, N., Dougherty, P.M. (2020). Sex-Based Differences and Aging in Tactile Function Loss in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes. PLoS One. 15(11): e0242199. PMID: 33180801.
Meng, H., Gorniak, S.L. (2020). Effects of adiposity on postural control and cognition in older adults. Gait & Posture. 82: 147-152. PMID: 32927221.
Gorniak, S.L., Wagner, V.E., Vaughn, K., Perry, J., Gulley Cox, L.I., Hernandez, A.E., Pollonini, L., (2020). Functional neuroimaging of sensorimotor cortices in postmenopausal women with Type II Diabetes. NeuroPhotonics. 7(3): 035007. PMID: 32905073.
Hibino, H., Gorniak, S.L. (2020). Effects of aging on rapid grip force responses during bimanual manipulation of an active object. Experimental Brain Research. 238(10): 2161-2178. PMID: 32661648.
Gorniak, S.L., Lu, Y.F., Lee, B.C., Massman, P., Wang, J. (2019). Cognitive impairment and postural control deficits in adults with Type II Diabetes. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews. 35(2): e3089. PMID: 30338902
Gorniak, S.L., Ray, H., Lee, B.C., Wang, J. (2019). Cognitive-motor Impairment in Manual Tasks in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health. 40(2): 113-121. PMID: 31658863.
Gorniak, S.L. (2019). The relationship between task difficulty and behavioral complexity. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics. 81(1): 12-19. PMID: 30506324
Meng, H., O’Connor, D.P., Lee, B.C., Layne, C.S. Gorniak, S.L. (2017). Alterations in over-ground walking patterns in obese and overweight adults. Gait & Posture. 53: 145-150. PMID: 28157576.
Ochoa, N., Gogola, G.R., Gorniak, S.L. (2016). Contribution of tactile sensory function to fine motor dysfunction in Type II Diabetes. Muscle & Nerve. 54: 895-902. PMID: 27061801.
Meng, H., O’Connor, D.P., Lee, B.C., Layne, C.S., Gorniak, S.L. (2016). Effects of adiposity on postural control and cognition. Gait & Posture 43: 31-37. PMID: 26669948.
Education
B.S. in Physics at the Pennsylvania State University - Erie, The Behrend College, Erie, PA , 2004
M.S. in Kinesiology at the Pennsylvania State University - University Park, PA, 2006
Ph.D. in Kinesiology at the Pennsylvania State University - University Park, PA, 2009
Post-doc in Biomedical Engineering at the Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH, 2011