Community Spotlight: James Finley
I am an Associate Professor in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at USC, where I direct the Locomotor Control Lab. I also have affiliations with the Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Neuroscience Graduate Program. I co-direct the Community Engagement and Outreach Core for DAPR and also serve on the leadership team for the Reproducible Rehabilitation (ReproRehab) research education program.
Tell us about your background
I've followed what might be considered a non-traditional path into the world of neurorehabilitation research. I received my bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida A&M University, and although I chose this major to pursue an automotive engineering career, a fortuitous internship opportunity led me into the field of Biomedical Engineering. During my graduate studies at Northwestern University, I spent over five years conducting research at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and it was here that I first experienced the excitement of being immersed in a scientific environment at the intersection of rehabilitation, engineering, and neuroscience. There, I developed a passion for the study of neural control and biomechanics in balance and locomotion, and I have continued to follow that passion ever since.
What sparked your interest in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence?
One of my fundamental interests is drawing meaning from data. As a scientist, I often see my job as being a sort of detective, gathering clues to solve mysteries about the control of human movement. During my training, I largely used terms like signal processing, data analysis, and data visualization to describe what I enjoyed most as a researcher, but recently, many of these ideas and processes have been grouped under the umbrella of data science. Over the years, I've tried to continuously expand the set of tools I use to extract meaning from the data we collect, while also learning and teaching others how to make the data and analysis pipelines accessible to other researchers.
What are you most excited about DAPR?
I'm most excited about continuing to normalize and formalize the process of data sharing and data harmonization so that we can increase the efficiency with which we use research funding. I think we far too often treat data as essentially single-use. Once we've answered the question for which the data were collected, we move on to the next project to collect new data. However, my hope is that by normalizing data sharing and harmonization, we can accelerate the process of discovery in neurorehabilitation research.
What advice would you give to those who wish to follow a similar path?
The most common piece of advice I give to younger scientists is to identify a long-term career goal, create a short-term plan to work toward that goal, but also be open to opportunities and changes in direction you may discover along the way. Goals often change as you gather information and experience, but some may feel a need to continue along a path that no longer suits them because of internalized or external expectations that no longer suit them. Whenever possible, try to find a space where your passion intersects with an obvious need (and a way to support yourself).
Anything you are passionate about outside of DAPR?
Youth sports, photography, learning about most anything.
Anything else you would like to share? (e.g., website/GitHub/podcast)
