DR. GEETANJALI GERA

Geetanjali Gera, PhD, PT, has a passion for helping those with neurodegenerative disorders. Specifically, she loves being able to research, and then apply that research, to be able to help her patients, who suffer from diseases like multiple sclerosis.

“I wanted to understand whether I can actually help (patients) improve their balance and their mobility, so as a physical therapist, that has always been my passion — to make sure whatever research that I'm doing has an impact on my patients’ lives,” she says.

As a physical therapist and a movement scientist, Geetanjali’s research goal is to understand the underlying mechanisms behind motor control deficits to advance neurorehabilitation interventions. Her post-doctoral training with Dr. Fay Horak at the Oregon Health & Science University has provided her with expertise in assessing postural control deficits, specifically those related to neurodegenerative diseases.  

She is currently an Assistant Professor in UK's Department of Physical Therapy, and she directs the Neuromotor Control and Neurorehab Laboratory, where she is studying the changes in multi-joint coordination deficits in postural flexibility and postural instability. An improved understanding of these factors is critical for improving balance rehabilitation in elderly individuals and people with neurodegenerative diseases.

“I chose physical therapy for the reason that I get to spend more time with my patient,” she says. “It's not like I give them a pill and then I'm done and I'll see them in like three months — you get to be part of their journey.”

And part of her journey also includes teaching and working with students.

“I truly appreciate the interactions that I’ve I have with students, whether it’s teaching, whether it's research or working with them in the clinic,” she says. “Teaching is also one of my great passions and I think the thing that I like about my teaching is that I can bring my research into teaching and I can bring my clinical experience into teaching, as well as I try to make it really evidence-based.

“It's so interesting to see how the students are developing their critical thinking and we are working toward making them healthcare professionals,” she continues. “So that’s really rewarding.”