Education
- Ph.D., Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- B.S., Exercise Science, Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y
Publications
Theiss, R.D., Hornby, T.G., Rymer, W.Z., and Schmidt, B.D. (2011) Riluzole decreases flexion withdrawal reflex but not voluntary ankle torque in human chronic spinal cord injury. Journal of Neurophysiology 105:2781-2790.
Heckman, C.J., Mottram, C., Quinlan, K., Theiss, R., and Schuster, J. (2009). Motoneuron excitability: the importance of neuromodulatory inputs. Clinical Neurophysiology 120, 2040-2054.
Theiss, R.D., Kuo, J.J. & Heckman, C.J. (2007) Persistent inward currents in rat ventral horn neurones. Journal of Physiology 580, 507-522. Theiss R.D., Heckman CJ. (2005) Systematic variation in effects of serotonin and norepinephrine on repetitive firing properties of ventral horn neurons. Neuroscience.134:803-815.
Chen D., Theiss R.D., Ebersole K., Miller J.F., Rymer W.Z., and Heckman C.J. (2001) Spinal Interneurons That Receive Input From Muscle Afferents Are Differentially Modulated by Dorsolateral Descending Systems. Journal of Neurophysiology 85:1005-1008.
Research Recognition:
Commentary on publication in: Rose PK (2007) Persistence has its own reward: repetitive firing of action potentials in neurons. Journal of Physiology 580, 357.
Press coverage on research: “Information Processing In The Central Nervous System: The Signaling System Controlling Movement” Science Daily (Apr. 16, 2007)
Select Abstracts and Presentations:
Heckman C.J., Theiss R.D., Lee. R.H. (1999) Dendritic amplification of steady state synaptic input in motoneurons in vivo. Program No. 25:1395. In: Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, Miami Beach, FL USA.
Heckman C.J., Theiss R.D., Johnson M.D., Lee R.H. (2000) Active dendrites markedly enhance input-output gain in motoneurons. Program No. 257.12. In: Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, New Orleans, LA USA.
Theiss R.D., Heckman. C.J. (2001) Electrophysiological properties of intermediate zone lumbar spinal interneurons in vitro. Program No. 297.16. In: Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, San Diego, CA USA.
Heckman C.J., Johnson, M.D., Theiss, R.D. (2002) Movements in 3 dimensions: mapping synaptic inputs onto spinal interneurons. Program No. 166.1. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, Orlando, FL USA. In: 2002 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
Theiss, R.D., Heckman, C.J. (2002) Excitatory effects of serotonin and norepinephrine on rat lumbro-sacral ventral horn neurons in vitro. Program No. 363.2. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts. Orlando, FL USA. In: 2002 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
Theiss, R.D., Kuo, J.J., Heckman, C.J. (2004) Persistent inward currents in ventral horn interneurons. Program No. 656.9. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, San Diego, CA USA. In: 2004 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
Hyngstrom, A.S., Kuo, J.J., Johnson, M.D., Theiss, R.D., Heckman, C.J. (2004) Linear summation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs by motoneurons with and without strongly active dendritic conductances. Program No. 875.10. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, San Diego, CA USA. In: 2004 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
Theiss, R.D., Kuo, J.J., Heckman, C.J. (2005) The role of persistent sodium currents in firing patterns of spinal interneurons. Program No. 863.11. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, Washington, D.C. USA. In: 2005 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
Hornby, T.G., Schmit, B.D., Theiss, R.D. (2006) Serotonergic modulation of motor function in human spinal cord injury. Program No. 146.20. 2006 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Atlanta, GA: Society for Neuroscience, 2006. Online.
Theiss, R.D., Hornby, T.G., Schmit, B.D., Rymer, W.Z. (2008) Effects of riluzole and isradipine on reflex excitability and strength in human chronic spinal cord injury. Program No. 573.17. 2008 Neuroscience Meeting. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 2008.
Theiss, R.D., Rymer, W.Z., Schmit, B.D. (2009) The Effects of Riluzole and Isradipine on Passive and Active Hip Movement in Human Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. Cellular and Network Functions in the Spinal Cord Symposium, 2009, Madison, WI.
Theiss, R.D., Rymer, W.Z., Schmit, B.D. (2009) Differential effects of riluzole and isradipine on hip torque and muscle activity in chronic spinal cord injury. Program No. 659.16. 2009 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Chicago, IL: Society for Neuroscience, 2009. Online.
Theiss, R.D., Schieber, J.R., Cerdenia, J.C., Suresh, N.L., Chardon, M.K., Rymer, W.Z. (2010). Do persistent inward currents contribute to hyperexcitable mono-synaptic reflexes in individuals with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injury? Towards Translational Research in Motoneurons (Motoneuron Society Meeting 2010), Paris, France.
Theiss, R.D., Schieber, J.R., Cerdenia, J.C., Chardon MK, Rymer WZ (2010) Contribution of persistent inward currents to hyperexcitable deep tendon reflexes in human chronic spinal cord injury. Program No. 684.1. 2010 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2010. Online.
Suresh, N.L., Morris, K.E., Theiss, R.D., Chardon, M.K., Rymer, W.Z. (2010) Monoamine contributions to the stretch reflex response threshold in hemispheric stroke and control subjects. Program No. 181.17. 2010 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2010. Online.
Theiss, R.D., Cerdenia, J.C., Rafeeq, L (2011) Do persistent inward currents contribute to monosynaptic reflex excitability in neurologically intact and spinal cord injured humans? Program No. 808.07.
2010 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2011. Online.
Honors
- Professional Excellence Award in Exercise and Sport Sciences;
- Foundation Award in Mathematics;
- Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society;
- Freshman Award in Mathematics and Computer Science;
- Oracle Society (Freshman Honor Society);
- Ithaca College Scholarship (4-year).
Presentations
- Continuing Education in Physical Therapy 11/2/2011
Hosted by The Department of Physical Therapy, Governors State University Continuing Education Course: “Functional Neuroanatomy and Neurological Interventions for Physical Therapy, Part I.” - Mechanisms of Plasticity and Disease in Motoneurons Conference, Seattle, WA 06/2008
“Pharmacological targeting of intrinsic spinal neuron excitability in human chronic spinal cord injury.” - Second Annual International Symposium on Active Integration in Motoneurons, Chicago, IL 05/2006. “PICs and Firing Patterns in Spinal Cord Interneurons.”
- Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL 10/2002. "Effects of Monoamines on Input-Output Functioning of Spinal Neurons."
- Alberta Motor Control Conference, Jasper, Alberta, Canada 9/2001. "The effects of serotonin and norepinephrine on interneurons within the intermediate zone of lumbar spinal cord slices from neonatal rats."
Research
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Research Scientist I, Sensory Motor Performance Program 7/2009 – present
Research Associate and Postdoctoral Fellowship, Sensory Motor Performance Program 9/2005 – 6/2009
Advisors: William Z. Rymer, M.D., Ph.D. and Brian D. Schmit, Ph.D.
Current Research: Investigating the cellular mechanisms of spasticity and increased reflexes in humans with chronic spinal cord injury using gross electrophysiological (e.g. surface EMG, single motor unit recordings), biomechanical, and pharmacological methods.
Service
- Faculty of 1000, Associate Faculty Member Evaluation Contributor 2010 - present
- Curley K-8 School, Jamaica Plain, MA 1/2010: Guest Neuroscientist, 6th grade Science, English Language Learners
- Association for Women in Science (Chicago Chapter), VP Programs 2008-2010
- Science Chicago - Advisory Committee on Public Programming, Member 2008-2010
- Scitizen.com, Contributor 2007
- NUIN Student Travel Award Planning Committee 2001
- NUIN Student Steering Committee 1999-2002
- Chicago NUIN Graduate Student Organization, Core Founding Group, Co-Moderator 1999-2001
Professional Memberships
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- American Association of Anatomists (AAA)
- Association for Women in Science (AWIS)
- Society for Neuroscience (SFN)
|
