Assistant Professor
Rehabilitation Sciences

Brittany Samulski

757-683-6757

4211 MONARCH WAY
NORFOLK, 23529

Dr. Brittany Samulski serves as an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at Old Dominion University. She received her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Spanish Language in 2008 from the University of Virginia, her clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University in 2011 and is currently finishing her Ph.D. in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation from Old Dominion University. Dr. Samulski's current research interests are in two areas: motor control and falls management. Her motor control research has focused on coupled oscillators that exist between the mouth and feet (i.e., chewing gum and walking) in healthy adults, as well as on the effects of aging on motor control. Future falls research projects aim to involve the greater Hampton Roads area via the Monarch Balance for Life Program. Dr. Samulski currently serves on the Virginia Physical Therapy Association (VPTA) research committee. She was named an Emerging Leader by the American Physical Therapy Association in 2020. Her clinical experience is in the acute care and home health settings. She is a Hampton Roads native and resides in Virginia Beach with her husband.

D.P.T. in Physical Therapy, Old Dominion University, (2011)

Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!) Certification
Sponsoring Organization: Parkinson's Wellness Recovery
Date Obtained: 2017-06-01
Preparing Future Faculty
Sponsoring Organization: Old Dominion University
Date Obtained: 2017-05-01
Advanced Clinical Instructor Certification
Sponsoring Organization: American Physical Therapy Association
Date Obtained: 2015-10-01
Clinical Instructor Certification
Sponsoring Organization: American Physical Therapy Association
Date Obtained: 2012-05-01
Physical Therapy License
Sponsoring Organization: Virginia State Board of Physical Therapy
Date Obtained: 2011-06-01
CPR Certification
Sponsoring Organization: American Heart Association
Date Obtained: 2018-09-01

Expertise

Physical Therapy
Motor Control, Chewing, Gait Analysis, Aging, Falls Assessment, Falls Management

Research Interests

Motor Control, Chewing, Gait, Aging, Falls Assessment, Falls Management

Articles

Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J., Armitano, C. and Morrison, S. (2019). Coupling of motor oscillators- What really happens when you chew gum and walk? . Neuroscience Letters 698 , pp. 90-96.

Presentations

Prebor, J., Samulski, B. S. and Morrison, S. (October , 2019). Assessing the impact of chewing on motor function in children and adolescents. Poster Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference Chicago, IL.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J. and Morrison, S. (October , 2019). Stepping couples with chewing regardless of when it is initiated suggesting hierarchical influence of chewing on gait Poster Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference Chicago, IL.
Prebor, J., Samulski, B. S. and Morrison, S. (June , 2019). The impact of chewing on neuromotor function in children. Poster NASPSPA Annual Conference Baltimore, MD.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J. and Morrison, S. (April , 2019). Chewing speed does not follow typical patterns of motor slowing with age. Poster ODU College of Health Sciences Research Day Norfolk, VA.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J. and Morrison, S. (March , 2019). Chewing speed does not follow typical patterns of motor slowing with age. Poster Graduate Research Achievement Day Norfolk, VA.
Prebor, J., Samulski, B. S. and Morrison, S. (March , 2019). The impact of chewing on neuromotor function in children. Poster Graduate Research Achievement Day Norfolk, VA.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J., Armitano, C. and Morrison, S. (January , 2019). Chewing gum while walking changes gait timing and may be innovative technique for rhythmic cuing. Poster American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting Washington, DC.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J., Armitano, C. and Morrison, S. (November , 2018). Chewing differentially influences upper limb motor patterns. Poster Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference San Diego, CA.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J., Armitano, C. and Morrison, S. (October , 2018). Chewing rates resistant to age-related slowing and may be novel rehabilitation technique for rhythmic cueing. Poster American Congress of Rehabilitative Medicine Annual Conference Dallas, TX.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J., Armitano, C. and Morrison, S. (July , 2018). Chewing speed appears resistant to age-related neuromotor decline. Poster Progress in Clinical Motor Control I: Neurorehabilitation Conference State College, PA.
Samulski, B. S. (April , 2018). Can you walk and chew gum?: a look at coupled motor oscillators in healthy adults Oral Presentation ODU College of Health Sciences Research Day Norfolk, VA.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J., Armitano, C. and Morrison, S. (March , 2018). Walking and chewing gum at the same time: couple movement reveals pattern of neurological aging. Poster Graduate Research Achievement Day Norfolk, VA.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J., Armitano, C. and Morrison, S. (March , 2018). Walking and chewing gum at the same time: couple movement reveals pattern of neurological aging. Poster Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia Conference Williamsburg, VA.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J., Armitano, C. and Morrison, S. (November , 2017). Can you walk and chew gum? The effect of chewing gum on gait parameters. Poster Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference Washington, DC.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J., Armitano, C. and Morrison, S. (October , 2017). Can you walk and chew gum? The effect of chewing gum on gait dynamics in healthy adults. Poster Virginia Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference Newport News, VA.
  • 2020: Emerging Leader , American Physical Therapy Association - Virginia Chapter
  • 2019: Leader of the Year Award Nominee, Old Dominion University Leadership and Student Involvement
  • 2019: Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant - Classroom Instructor, Old Dominion University
  • 2018: Progress in Motor Control Travel Award, Progress in Motor Control I: Neurorehabilitation Conference
  • 2017: Virginia Physical Therapy Association First Place Research Poster- Professional Category, Virginia Physical Therapy Association
  • 2017: Tidewater Physical Therapy Association Leadership Stipend, Tidewater Physical Therapy Association
  • 2013: "Always Committed to Excellence" (ACE) Award, Sentara Healthcare

Organizational Chart