Susan Coltman
susancoltman.bsky.social
Susan Coltman
@susancoltman.bsky.social
Postdoctoral Motor Control Researcher in Neuroscience at Penn State | Leveraging Athletic Experience for Motor Learning Insights | Non‑invasive neural stimulation techniques to restore functional motor control of the hand
This milestone reflects a collective effort, and I am deeply grateful to each of you.

Stay tuned for updates on our research program, upcoming recruitment opportunities, and future collaborations!

#NewPI #MotorLearning #FeedbackIntegration #Neuroscience #UniversityOfGuelph #WomenInSTEM
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Abigail Person, who opened the world of mouse research and taught me new skills and insights (animal research wasn't my forever path, but I respect that world); and Xiaogang Hu, who offered me a place to pivot back to human research while building insights from a mechanical engineering perspective.
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
To my other mentors who shaped this journey: Liana Brown, who helped me find my way back to academia after retiring from sports; @joshcashaback.bsky.social , who showed me the road ahead and supported me through all the ups and downs;
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Heather McGregor: You have been my absolute rock. Starting as peers in Paul's lab, we built a friendship that has carried me through every pivot point, both through the excitement and the tears. I genuinely could not have done this without you.
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
@gribblelab.org You grounded me in the scientific enterprise, teaching me that rigorous science starts with clear questions, careful design, and openness. I'm honored that our relationship has grown from trainee to peer, and I'm grateful to have you as a mentor and colleague I can always rely on.
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
In addition to family support, I could not have arrived at this moment without the incredible academic mentors and support along the way.
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I plan to build a research program investigating how individuals process and integrate feedback during motor learning. In my lab, we'll explore how the brain dynamically adjusts its reliance on vision, touch, and proprioception in response to task demands, learning stage, and individual differences.
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Throughout these pivots, I've often questioned the path ahead. But Paul once told me, "If there's passion in the question, don't leave." He was right. My passion for these questions, which started when I was an athlete and continued through every transition, has been my compass.
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
After retiring from sports, I returned to academia and explored movement through various approaches, including computational methods, mouse models, prosthetics, and sensory feedback, always grounded in understanding how individual differences influence the way we learn and adapt motor skills.
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
My interest in motor learning and control stems from over 15 years of competing as a world-ranked heptathlete in track and field. My path has not been straightforward.
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I will be starting a motor control lab in July 2026, would love to take this over and put to good use!
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Congratulations 🎉
October 29, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey were my childhood heroes. While most little girls had Barbie dolls or my little pony collections, I had more than 100 stuffed monkeys. I am obsessed with primates. My first dream job was to become a zoologist and study them, just like Jane.
October 1, 2025 at 7:39 PM