Theresa Hayes Cruz, Ph.D., is the director of NCMRR, which, through basic, translational, and clinical research, fosters the development of scientific knowledge needed to enhance the health, productivity, independence, and quality-of-life of people with physical disabilities.

As NCMRR director, Dr. Cruz represents NIH on various federal committees, including the Interagency Committee on Disability Research. In addition to her NCMRR duties, Dr. Cruz is a team lead in the NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative, where she co-manages a grant portfolio in the areas of neurotechnology development, validation, and translation.

Dr. Cruz received her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering with highest honors from the School of Engineering at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. She received her master’s and doctoral degrees in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University. Her previous research at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago focused on motor control and gait impairments of the lower limb following stroke.