Maggie O'Neil, PT, Ph.D., MPH is a pediatric rehabilitation researcher with a focus on identifying objective measures of physical activity in ambulatory youth with cerebral palsy (CP) to examine the effectiveness of activity-based interventions to promote health, fitness, and functional mobility. Dr. O'Neil was a full-time clinical pediatric physical therapist for nearly 12 years before she returned to school to earn her Masters in Public Health (MPH) in maternal and child health policy and her Ph.D. in pediatric physical therapy.

In recent years, Dr. O'Neil has partnered with computer and biomedical engineers to design customized video games and virtual and augmented reality experiences to promote fitness and physical activity in youth with CP. She works closely with exercise scientists and public health researchers to establish an effective and accessible home and community interventions to reduce sedentary behaviors and increase 'habitual physical activity' and active lifestyles in youth with CP. By increasing adherence to home and community exercise and activity programs, youth with CP may translate and sustain gains achieved in physical therapy. Dr. O'Neil's goals are to understand the protective and risk factors involved in health promotion and physical activity for youth with CP to optimize their health, fitness and functional mobility.