Professor Dr. Michelle Ploughman

Biography

Dr. Ploughman is a physiotherapist and neuroscientist recognized as an expert in neuroplasticity and neurorehabilitation for stroke and multiple sclerosis (MS). Her research focuses on the effects of aerobic exercise, intensive training paradigms, and lifestyle habits on brain recovery from injury, disease, and aging. As a Canada Research Chair in Neuroplasticity and Neurorehabilitation, her work is widely published in journals such as Stroke and Neuroscience. She leads the Canadian Survey on Health, Lifestyle, and Aging with MS, which is the largest study of aging with MS in Canada, involving 740 participants across 10 study sites. In addition to her research, Dr. Ploughman practices as a neurological physiotherapist at the St. John’s Recovery Performance Laboratory, where she collaborates on several innovative clinical trials aimed at enhancing stroke recovery and MS management. Her current projects investigate the timing and efficacy of exercise interventions, neuroplasticity-promoting drugs, and the development of new clinical assessments for early detection of motor function impairments in MS patients.

Research Interests

Experience