Researcher spotlight: Deborah Jehu, Ph.D.
Precision Motion
Deborah Jehu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Director of the Gait Lab, Department of Community & Behavioral Health Sciences, Augusta University
Opal® V2R Technology has been used by thousands of researchers worldwide and together, these researchers have published more than 800 peer reviewed papers, greatly contributing to available body of evidence in human movement.
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Q:
Would you please introduce yourself, your academic background and your research interests?
A:
Dr. Deborah Jehu is the director of the Geriatric Assessment, Intervention, & Technologies (GAIT) lab and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community & Behavioral Health Sciences in the School of Public Health at Augusta University. Her research aims to generate new insights into 1) refining therapeutic interventions; 2) refining fall-risk assessments; and 3) providing a better overall understanding of cognition and mobility in aging populations. She has worked with a wide variety of aging populations, such as healthy older adults, and older adults who fall, as well as those with total knee arthroplasty, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, mild traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. She has collaborated with researchers, interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, health authorities, and industry partners across the world, which has provided her with a unique perspective on fall prevention research. Her research has implications for treatment and monitoring strategies as well as understanding fundamental concepts of cognition and mobility in aging populations.
Q:
What research projects or questions are you currently working on?
A:
In the Geriatric Assessment, Intervention, & Technologies (GAIT) lab, we are currently examining the predictors of falls in older adults with poor mobility and those with mild traumatic brain injury. We’re also investigating sex differences in falls and seeking funding for another randomized controlled trial involving exercise. Additionally, we are conducting a Delphi study to establish a definition for fall-related psychological harm, among other studies.
Q:
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
A:
A typical day at work for me involves a mix of teaching Ph.D. students in Applied Health Sciences, marking assignments, and testing older adult participants. I also meet with students, write and review grants, and work on manuscripts. Additionally, I handle editing responsibilities for peer-reviewed journals, contribute to various university and external committees and boards, engage in professional development, and attend conferences.
Q:
Where do you see the use of wearable IMU’s in human movement research going in the next 5 years?
A:
In the next five years (2025–2030), wearable Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) will likely transform neurodegenerative disease (NDD) research by harnessing precise gait signatures to enable early detection, progression monitoring, and tailored interventions for conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Cutting-edge AI, including deep learning, will refine these signatures—capturing nuances like stride variability in Parkinson’s or postural sway in Alzheimer’s—to distinguish NDD subtypes with high precision. Integrated into smartwatches and smartphones, IMUs will likely drive population-wide screening, real-time symptom tracking, and adaptive telerehabilitation, potentially reducing falls and enhancing quality of life. While challenges like data privacy and algorithmic bias require careful navigation to ensure equitable access, IMUs stand poised to redefine our understanding of neurodegeneration.
Q:
How has Clario’s APDM Opal V2R® System been most useful in your research endeavors?
A:
Clario’s APDM Opal V2R® System has been most useful in my research endeavors due to its portability, which has been extremely helpful for testing participants in the community and at residential care facilities. In my experience, it’s easy for patients and clinicians to use, featuring easy-to-understand graphs. It’s also non-invasive, enhancing participant comfort. I’ve published with it in studies on dementia, Parkinson’s disease, mild traumatic brain injury, healthy older adults, and healthy young adults, making it an important tool in my research.
Q:
What advice would you give a researcher just starting out in your field?
A:
For a researcher just starting in my field, I’d advise connecting with good students and investing in them, as they are a marker for future success. Align your work with scalable interventions and apply for funding every cycle, including both intramural and extramural opportunities.
Q:
Fill in the blank: When I’m not working on a research project, you can find me…
A:
When I’m not working on a research project, you can find me exercising, renovating my house, hosting, cooking, in my garden, or traveling.