Assistant Professor
School of Rehabilitation Sciences

Brittany Samulski

757-683-6111
ODU Monarch Balance for Life

3044 HEALTH SCIENCES BLDG
NORFOLK, 23529

Dr. Brittany Samulski is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Old 啵啵直播秀 University, where she blends her passion for teaching, research, and community engagement. She earned undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Virginia and her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and her Ph.D. in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation from ODU. Before transitioning to academia, she worked in acute care and home health with Sentara Healthcare in Hampton Roads.

Her research explores motor control and falls prevention, including how coupled movements, such as chewing gum while walking, affect coordination, and how aging impacts movement. As Director of the Monarch Balance for Life initiative, she leads efforts to provide comprehensive falls risk assessments across the Hampton Roads community through partnerships with local agencies and health organizations.
Active in professional service, Dr. Samulski contributes to national and state committees with the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, APTA Geriatrics, and APTA Virginia, and serves as an abstract reviewer for the Education Leadership Conference and Combined Sections Meeting. She has been honored with the APTA Emerging Leader Award (2020), ODU 40 Under 40 recognition (2023), and the John L. 鈥淛ack鈥 Echternach Research Award from APTA Virginia (2024).

Ph.D. in Kinesiology & Rehabilitation , Old 啵啵直播秀 University , (2020)

D.P.T. in Physical Therapy, Old 啵啵直播秀 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 啵啵直播秀 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
CPR Certification
Sponsoring Organization: American Heart Association
Date Obtained: 2022-09-01
Physical Therapy License
Sponsoring Organization: Virginia State Board of Physical Therapy
Date Obtained: 2011-06-01

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

Riis, K., Samulski, B. S., Neely, K. and Laverdure, P. (2024). Physical Activity for anxiety for Autistic People: A Systematic Review . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders .
Prebor, J., Samulski, B. S., Armitano-Lago, C. and Morrison, S. (2022). Patterns of Movement Performance and Consistency From Childhood to Old Age. Motor Control 27 (2) , pp. 258-274.
Prebor, J., Samulski, B. S., Armitano-Lago, C. and Morrison, S. (2020). Chewing Entrains Cyclical Actions but Interferes With Discrete Actions in Children. Journal of Motor Behavior 53 (3) , pp. 364-372.
Samulski, B. S., Prebor, J., Armitano, C. and Morrison, S. Age-related changes in neuromotor function when performing a concurrent motor task.. Experimental Brain Research .
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.
  • 2024: John L. "Jack" Echternach Research Award, American Physical Therapy Association Virginia
  • 2023: 40 Under 40 Class of 2023, Old 啵啵直播秀 University Alumni Association
  • 2020: Emerging Leader , American Physical Therapy Association - Virginia Chapter
  • 2019: Leader of the Year Award Nominee, Old 啵啵直播秀 University Leadership and Student Involvement
  • 2019: Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant - Classroom Instructor, Old 啵啵直播秀 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