UNF physical therapy professor honored with Stroke SIG Research Award
Dr. Chitra Balasubramanian, University of North Florida physical therapy associate professor, Hicks Hall Research Laboratory director and licensed physical therapist, has been honored by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy with the 2023 Stroke SIG Research Award. The award recognizes her exemplary research contributions to improving walking and balance for adults who have sustained a stroke. This award was presented in February at the Combined Sections Meeting for the American Physical Therapy Association in San Diego, California.
The Stroke SIG Research award recognizes a member of the Stroke Special Interest Group (SIG) who has demonstrated exemplary contributions to the field. The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy is a component of the American Physical Therapy Association and has a rich legacy of supporting the mission to improve health and quality of life in individuals with movement dysfunction due to neurologic health conditions.
Dr. Balasubramanian's research is focused on improving walking and balance for adults who have sustained a stroke and community-dwelling older adults. Stroke is the number one cause of long-term disability around the world and regaining independent and safe walking is the most often stated goal for rehabilitation by stroke survivors. As a physical therapist, all of Dr. Balasubramanian’s research endeavors are informed by practice and aimed to close the gap between research and clinical practice.