Associate Professor
wwerner@nyit.edu

Education

• B.S. in Physical Therapy, Quinnipiac University
• M.A. in Motor Learning, Teachers College, Columbia University
• Ed.M. in Motor Learning, Teachers College, Columbia University
• Ed.D. in Motor Learning, Teachers College, Columbia University

Academic/Clinical Appointments

• 2006-Present: Associate Professor, New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Old Westbury, N.Y.
• 2000-2006: Assistant Professor, New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Old Westbury, N.Y.

Clinical Experience

• Clinical experience in pediatrics, acute care, orthopedics, home care, and adult rehabilitation with neurological patients.
• 2003 to Present: Supervisor of the Physical Therapy Department of the Academic Health Care Center of New York College of Osteopathic Medicine at NYIT.

Research

“Improving Gait and Promoting Retention in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study”
Journal of Neurology
Werner, WG and Gentile, AM
Accepted May, 2010

“Effects of Exercise Induced Oxidative Stress on Glutathione Levels in
Parkinson’s Disease On and Off Medication”
Journal of Neurology
Elokda, A, DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J, Lamberg and Werner, W.G.
Accepted April, 2010

"Norepinephrine and Cardiovascular Responses to Maximal Exercise in
Parkinson's Disease On and Off Medication"
Movement Disorders Journal
DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J, Elokda, A, Lamberg, E, Bono, N, and Werner, W.G.
September, 2009

“Comparison of once-weekly and twice-weekly strength training in older adults”
British Journal of Sports Medicine 
DiFrancisco-Donoghue,J Werner, WG and Douris, P.  January 2007 

“Cardiovascular Response to Treadmill Testing in Parkinson’s Disease”
Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy
Werner, WG, DiFrancisco-Donoghue,J and Lamberg, E.  June 2006
Christopher D. Smithers Foundation provided $10,000 funding.

“Instructional cues and Parkinsonian gait:  A pilot study”
Neurology Report
Werner, WG and Gentile, AM.  March 2003
Awarded NYIT-AAUP Grant 2001-2002 for this project.

Grants

• National Institutes of Health Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
  $128,000 grant for research on Parkinson’s disease.  The grant allows researchers to test ways to improve control of posture and gait of individuals with Parkinson's disease, who are at risk for fall-related injuries. Tests include touching a stationary object while standing and touching a moving object when walking at a desired pace to ensure better control.
• Hartman Parkinson’s Disease Research Foundation Grant
  $100,000 grant ($50,000 matching from NYIT) to investigate the impact of resistance training and vitamin supplementation on function, balance and oxidative stress levels
• NYIT CTLT Grant January 2006
  Granted a Center for Teaching and Learning with Technology Fellows Grant to investigate the use of PDA’s (personal digital assistant) in the clinical setting for physical therapy students
• Christopher D. Smithers Foundation 2005
  Funding of $10,000 for project “Cardiovascular response to exercise in
  Individuals with Parkinson’s disease”