The Orthotics & Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research is proud to announce the recipient of the 2025 Fall Mentored Pilot Research Grant. These one-year, $5,000 awards support emerging investigators—including master’s and doctoral students, O&P residents, and practicing clinicians—as they conduct focused research projects under the guidance of experienced research mentors.
Each funded project demonstrates strong scientific merit, clear clinical relevance, and alignment with the O&P Foundation’s research priorities. Through this program, recipients are strengthening essential research skills, engaging in meaningful mentorship, and generating preliminary data that will support future, larger-scale funding and continued investigator development—advancing evidence-based care across orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics.
This year’s Fall award was made possible through a generous donation from the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE).
Impaired lower limb proprioception and balance control during gait in people with unilateral chronic post-stroke
“I am extremely honored to be selected for the O&P Foundation Mentored Pilot Research Grant. I am grateful for the opportunity to engage in research centered towards building a better understanding of post-stroke biomechanics with the ultimate goal of the improvement of patient safety and informed orthotic intervention. ed inquiry. Their example has shaped the way I approach research, and this grant offers an invaluable opportunity to continue that work and contribute to improved clinical decision-making and patient outcomes as a new clinician entering the field.“
Maria T. Gamez is a second year Masters of Prosthetics & Orthotics Research (MPO-R) student at Northwestern University. She is looking forward to learning more about the research process with aims of improving patient care across diverse populations, especially in post-stroke orthotic care. Her goals are to train to become both a dedicated clinician and researcher.
