Welcome to Dr. Kriak’s Lab

This Research Lab focuses on improving early detection and long-term management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) through innovative, patient-centered technology. With more than 90,000 new diagnoses each year in the United States, PD presents an urgent need for tools that can identify functional decline earlier and guide more personalized care. Our research integrates wearable biosensing technology with clinical assessment to better understand how Parkinson’s affects breathing, swallowing, and communication.

                           Dr. John Kriak

Key Areas of Investigation

Wearable Technology Development
We are developing and validating novel strain-sensor technology designed to measure respiratory muscle activity, breathing patterns, and swallowing function in a noninvasive, accessible format.

Respiratory Function in Parkinson’s Disease
The lab examines breathing patterns and work of breathing at rest and during exercise across multiple stages of Parkinson’s disease, comparing findings to age-matched controls to better understand respiratory decline.

Swallowing Mechanics and Safety
Using advanced imaging and sensor-based measurements, our research evaluates swallowing efficiency and coordination to address the often under-recognized risk of dysphagia in Parkinson’s patients.

Voice and Speech Analysis
Through computerized speech and acoustic analysis, we study phonation and voice quality to better characterize communication challenges and support more effective therapeutic approaches.

Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Approach

This research is conducted through a multi-institutional collaboration combining clinical expertise, engineering innovation, and advanced assessment methodologies. Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine provides overall project leadership and medication therapy management, while Rocky Mountain University conducts subject testing and functional evaluations. Brigham Young University contributes wearable technology development and validation, ensuring the research is both clinically relevant and technologically robust.

Impact and Future Directions

The Parkinson’s Disease Research Lab aims to transform PD care by enabling earlier detection, informing targeted respiratory and swallowing interventions, and advancing evidence-based speech therapy practices. This work lays the groundwork for future NIH funding and scalable, AI-assisted monitoring tools that support clinicians and improve quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.