Benjamin Binder-Markey, PT, DPT, PhD Assistant Professor Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions Office: Three Parkway, Room 9125 Email: bb983@drexel.edu

Bio

Benjamin Binder-Markey, PT, DPT, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University. He completed his postdoctoral training in the Biologics Lab at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago). He completed his DPT training and PhD in biomedical engineering at Northwestern University. Dr. Binder-Markey received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Delaware.

Dr. Binder-Markey directs the Multiscale Neuromuscular Biomechanics Laboratory at Drexel University. His work integrates physical therapy, basic science and engineering principles through the use of experimental and computational modeling methods to better understand how changes in muscle properties following injury or disease affect physical function. The goal of this work is to develop new technologies and interventions that significantly improve patient care and outcomes.

One focus of his work seeks to understand how skeletal muscle adapts following peripheral or central nervous system injuries and how combined muscle and nervous system changes affect upper limb function. Another focus of his work strives to understand the time course and causes of skeletal muscle wasting due to cancer driven cachexia and its effect on function and morbidity.

His work has been funded by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, American Heart Association, The Brinson Foundation and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Catalyst Fund.

View Research Profile

Grant Participation:

Foundation Accelerator Research Grant: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (2020 – 2021)
Role: Co-Investigator (Co-Is Drs. Ishan Roy and Prakash Jayabalan)
Project: Developing a preclinical model of cancer associated cachexia

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Stroke Research: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab & Brinson Foundation (2018 – 2020)
Role: Postdoctoral Fellow
Project: Characterizing the passive mechanical properties of muscle and potential impacts following stroke

Predoctoral Fellowship: American Heart Association (2016 – 2018)
Role: Predoctoral Fellow
Project: The Effects of Musculoskeletal Adaptations Versus Neural Deficits on Hand and Wrist Function in Individuals with Chronic Stroke

Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) II Scholarship: Foundation for Physical Therapy (2016 – 2017)

Education

• 2018, PhD, Northwestern University, Evanston IL
      Biomedical Engineering
    
• 2015, DPT, Northwestern University, Chicago IL
     
• 2008, Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark DE
      Major: Mechanical Engineering
      Concentration: Biomedical Engineering
     
• 2017, Management for Scientists and Engineers Certificate, Northwestern University, Evanston IL
      Kellogg School of Management

Research Interests

Integrate physical therapy, basic science and engineering principles through the use of experimental and computational modeling methods to better understand how changes in muscle properties following injury or disease affect physical function, with the goal of developing new technologies and interventions that significantly improve patient care and outcomes.

Publications

Selected Publications

Binder-Markey, B. I., Broda, N. M., & Lieber, R. L. (2020). Intramuscular Anatomy Drives Collagen Content Variation Within and Between Muscles. Front Physiol, 11, 293. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00293

Binder-Markey, B. I., Dewald, J. P. A., & Murray, W. M. (2019). The Biomechanical Basis of the Claw Finger Deformity: A Computational Simulation Study. J Hand Surg Am, 44(9), 751-761. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2019.05.007

Binder-Markey, B. I., & Murray, W. M. (2017). Incorporating the length-dependent passive-force generating muscle properties of the extrinsic finger muscles into a wrist and finger biomechanical musculoskeletal model. J Biomech, 61, 250-257. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.06.026

Binder-Macleod, B. I., & Buchanan, T. S. (2006). Tibialis anterior volumes and areas in ACL-injured limbs compared with unimpaired. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 38(9), 1553-1557. doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000227642.06478.8f