Erika Franzén

Erika Franzén

Professor/Physical Therapist | Docent
Telephone: +46852488878
Mobile phone: +46737121593
Visiting address: Alfred Nobels Allé 23, 14183 Huddinge
Postal address: H1 Neurobiologi, vårdvetenskap och samhälle, H1 Fysioterapi Franzen, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • I am professor at the division of physiotherapy, KI with a joint position between KI and at Karolinska University Hospital and affiliated to Stockholms Sjukhem. Currently, I also work as vice-chair of the committee of doctoral studies 2019-2022) and acting Head of Department (biträdande prefekt) at the department of NVS with responsibility as “temaprefekt” for the collaboration with Theme Womens Health and Allied Health Professionals at Karolinska University Hospital. I also work as scientific director of the uMOVE core facility at KI and member of its steering group.

    I obtained my bachelor degree and professional diploma in Physiotherapy at the College of Caring Science in Boden, Sweden, master of physioterapy at KI and PhD in medical sciences at KI with the theisis Effects of healthy aging on balance : A quantitative analysis of clinical tests. I thereafter made my postdoctoral training under the supervision of Professors Fay Horak and Victor Gurfinkel at the Balance Disorders Laboratory at Oregon Health &
  • Science University, Portland, USA.

Research

  • My research focus is on balance (postural control) and motor control with a special interest in elderly and individuals with neurological disorders (Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, cerebellar ataxia and stroke). I have unique competence in both clinical and laboratory methods for measuring postural control and movement. I lead a research group of 20 members with a focus on translational research from exploring neuronal mechanisms to clinical interventions/implementation in the field of neurological and geriatric rehabilitation. Today my research group consists of me as leader and three team leaders/deputy group leaders (docents), PhD students, PhDs, postdocs, assistant professors and research assistants.

    I am currently main supervisor for two PhD students and co-supervising seven PhD students. I am also currently supervising two postdocs. In the past I have supervised 6 PhD-student as main supervisor, 8 as co-supervisor, 7 postdoc’s and several master and bachelor students.

Teaching

  • My areas of teaching expertise are the field of postural control, motor control, elderly, falls, exercise, balance and gait specifically in relation to Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders or aging. I have a special interest in laboratory and clinical measures for balance and gait abilities.I have a large experience in lecturing and leading seminars and laboratory work but also in individual supervision of student project, at bachelor, master and PhD level. I have also experience from course coordination and development of courses as well as examiner and moderator.

    Other teaching merits are member of the board for the physiotherapy and occupational programs, chair of the theme committee for semester 6 of the physiotherapist programme, course coordination as well as the KI board of education. I am also a member of the pedagogical academy at KI.

Articles

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Grants

Employments

  • Professor/Physical Therapist, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 2022-

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, Karolinska Institutet, 2013
  • Doctor Of Philosophy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 2006
  • Master Of Medical Science, Karolinska Institutet, 2002

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