Adam Culiver, PT, DPT, Ph.D. is a clinical assistant professor for the Department of Physical Therapy. He is an expert in motor control dysfunction and his research in neuroimaging after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) resulted in identifying sensorimotor deficits during ACLR knee and non-ACLR knee movement.
Prior to beginning his appointment as faculty at the School of Health & Human Sciences, Culiver completed his Ph.D. and post-doctoral training at the Ohio State University (2019–2025). Prior to his time at Ohio State, he completed a sports residency at Texas Health Sports Medicine and served as a full-time clinician for 3 years. He is a board-certified specialist in sports physical therapy.
Culiver and his co-authors were awarded the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy's Best Original Research Award of 2023 for their work identifying an association between sensorimotor brain activity and sport-related biomechanics. Culiver graduated from the University of Evansville with a B.S. in 2013, and his DPT in 2015.
Culiver's research focuses on how sports related injuries and sports exposure impact sensorimotor brain function. His overall interests include the central nervous system's response to lower extremity injury and the effects of repetitive head impact exposure sustained during tackle football participation. Culiver has a dual-role with IU Health as Rehabilitation Services Residency Manager. He is actively developing 3 physical therapy residency programs—cardiovascular & pulmonary, neurology, and wound management.
