Kristina Kelly, DPT
Assistant Research Professor
University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri, US
Although Dr. Kelly has recently assumed a faculty position at the University of Missouri (MU), her involvement in DM1 research and clinical care spans several years. While at Ohio State University, she served as key personnel in the END-DM1 Natural History Study and the Avidity Biosciences Clinical Trials. Dr. Kelly also has significant clinical experience as a physical therapist (PT) in multidisciplinary clinics at both universities.
One of the primary drivers for her move to MU was to take the lead in developing clinical research projects that would have value to the patients she serves. Fatigue in DM1 is a prevalent and impactful symptom, yet poorly understood. As a PT, she aims to help patients manage fatigue and engage in meaningful activities. However, limited mechanistic studies hinder therapeutic development. Key questions about fatigue origins, evolution, and prevention remain unanswered. Dr. Kelly is determined to address critical questions about the occurrence and contributors to fatigue in DM1, its evolution over time, and effective management strategies.
Recognizing the absence of local opportunities for central Missourians with DM1 to participate in research, Dr. Kelly, alongside her mentor Dr. Dave Arnold, is working to establish MU as a prominent DM1 research institution. The investment in equipment and infrastructure at MU’s NextGen Precision Health facilitates not only industry-sponsored clinical trials but also investigator-initiated research. During the MDF funding period, Dr. Kelly plans to expand her DM1-related research program, seeking additional grant funding, including an NIH application. Her current research proposal explores the neural mechanisms of motor fatiguability in a cross-sectional, short-term manner.
Dr. Kelly envisions applying for a K23 Career Development Award to support a more extended, longitudinal study design and enhance her skills in complementary methodologies. Additionally, an R21 award is on the horizon to leverage insights from her current funding in Myasthenia Gravis for the DM1 population, addressing fatigue through whole-body electrical muscle stimulation exercise. Recognizing fatigue as a common neuromuscular symptom, Dr. Kelly is eager to contribute to the understanding and treatment of fatigue in Myotonic Dystrophy, believing it will profoundly impact the quality of life for this population.
Click here to read more about previous MDF Grant Recipients! >>>
Join Dr. Kelly for Exercises for Everyday Life!
In celebration of Week 3 of Myotonic Dystrophy In Motion Month 2024, Dr. Kelly will lead a webinar on incorporating small exercises into your daily routine on July 18th. Learn about the importance of a balanced movement practice and discover simple movements that can enhance your overall well-being. (This session serves as an amazing companion to the MDF Exercise Guide for People Living with Myotonic Dystrophy!)
Click here to lean more about and register for our webinar on Exercises for Everyday Life! >>>