Background
Dr. Kierra Falbo is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pittsburgh working with the Rehab Neural Engineering Labs.
Dr. Falbo recently defended her dissertation and earned her PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Minnesota, performing her research at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. She also holds a master’s degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Falbo’s dissertation research focused on improving systematic assessment strategies for phantom limb pain after amputation to inform personalized treatment recommendations. This work established that ecological momentary assessment is a feasible and acceptable method for measuring person-centered factors contributing to phantom limb pain, encouraging a precision medicine approach to rehabilitation care.
You can watch the recording of her dissertation defense to learn more. Dr. Falbo’s current postdoctoral research continues to build upon her previous work in phantom limb pain and rehabilitation. Overall, her work aims to improve engagement and overall quality of life for individuals with disabilities through designing, evaluating, and facilitating real-world implementation of practical strategies and interventions. Her goal is to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that advancements are readily accessible and translated to clinical care.
Why did you apply?
I first applied for the OPERF/O&P Foundation Student Award for Academic Achievement to support my education during my time as a master’s student in Orthotics and Prosthetics.
I later applied for the O&P Foundation’s Doctoral Training Award to support dissemination of my research during my time as a PhD student in Rehabilitation Science.
How did the funding help you meet your goals?
These awards helped me to attend national conferences where I have been able to present my research, specifically my work on improving assessment of phantom limb pain in individuals with amputation. Through this support from the O&P Foundation, I have been able to disseminate important findings from my research within the O&P community and facilitate important discussions to guide future work.
How did the funding impact your career?
Attending conferences and presenting my work have been critical for making connections with other researchers and clinicians in the rehabilitation field. These connections have fostered collaborations and helped me to continue growing professionally.
What did the funding mean to you personally?
This funding has enabled me to continue strengthening my skills in professional presentation and helped me to establish myself as an early career scientist in the rehabilitation field. I will continue to grow the skills and collaborations I’ve developed as I move forward in my career pursuing clinically-relevant research work.
