Jennifer Sherwood Faculty Profile

Dr. Jennifer Sherwood is an Associate Professor in the Kinesiology Department at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) with expertise in research and program development, primarily focused on physical activity, exercise, healthy aging, muscle power, aphasia, and stroke survivors.

She co-directs the Life-Long Activity and Movement for Aphasia (LLAMA) program, a comprehensive, interdisciplinary program merging physical activity and research within the Aphasia Treatment Program at CSUEB's Norma S. and Ray R. Rees Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic. In this on-going program, stroke survivors with aphasia participate in regular, weekly, group exercise programming, and the program effects on physical function, quality of life, and language acquisition are monitored.

Dr. Sherwood completed a Ph.D. in Muscle Biology from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Additionally, she developed her skills to understand individual protein interactions and muscle function through postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Vermont Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco.

Her research interests revolve around two primary domains. First, she explores physical function changes in healthy older adults and individuals who have experienced strokes. Her work seeks to resolve the relationship between muscle power, physical function, and overall quality of life in these populations. A significant focus is on identifying physical assessments that can predict muscle function and enhance the overall well-being of aging adults and stroke survivors.

Secondly, Dr. Sherwood is engaged in interdisciplinary work aimed at developing and refining group-based interventions tailored specifically for stroke survivors with aphasia. This underscores her commitment to improving the lives of underrepresented populations, particularly individuals with communication challenges post-stroke.

Dr. Jennifer Sherwood's contributions underscore her dedication to advancing knowledge in kinesiology, healthy aging, and stroke rehabilitation. Her comprehensive approach, encompassing research, teaching, and program development, significantly contributes to enhancing the quality of life for older adults, and those impacted by aphasia and stroke.