Chelsea “CJ” Duppen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. Dr. Duppen earned a B.S. in Psychology and Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2013, and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2016. After four years of clinical practice in outpatient neurorehabilitation, she returned to UNC Chapel Hill to complete her PhD in Human Movement Science, which she received in 2024.

Dr. Duppen’s research focuses on assessing and addressing mobility impairments in people with neurologic conditions, particularly Parkinson disease. She investigates biomechanical, neural, cognitive, psychological, and social contributors to mobility loss in order to develop targeted interventions that improve functional independence and quality of life. At VCU, she currently team-teaches Functional Neuroanatomy and Neurologic Physical Therapy in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.