Laura A. Rice, PhD, MPT, ATP, is a professor of health and kinesiology in the College of Applied Health Sciences. Her research focuses on management of secondary impairments associated with physical disabilities and increasing quality of life and community participation among people with physical disabilities. In addition, Prof. Rice is interested in the development of outcome measures to evaluate functional mobility skills.
Since joining the University in 2011, Prof. Rice has been dedicated to serving students, staff, and the wider Central Illinois community. Her passion for mobility solutions led her to establish the Illini Wheelchair and Scooter Clinic in 2021, expanding services to better meet the needs of people with mobility issues both on- and off-campus.
Prof. Rice regularly collaborates and engages with campus, community, and clinical partners to make sure she and her colleagues are designing practical solutions for people with disabilities. For instance, she invited three Community-Academic Scholars to participate in community-engaged research projects to develop, implement, and evaluate disability-inclusive physical activity programs in Champaign-Urbana. The researchers evaluated the programs themselves as well as their community partners' experiences with the community-academic partnership.
An early participant in the NIH Grant Writing Series and member of the inaugural 2023–24 Emerging Research Leaders Academy, she has also committed to developing her strategic leadership, team science, and mentorship skills. Most recently, Prof. Rice has been an early supporter and participant in the IHSI Affiliate Program.
In addition to her faculty appointments in Health and Kinesiology and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Prof. Rice is the Associate Director of CHAD (Center on Health, Aging, and Disability), Program Director of CARD (Collaborations in the Advancement of Research on Disability), Associate Head for Graduate Studies in Health and Kinesiology, and Director of the DPQoL (Disability, Participation, and Quality of Life) Research Laboratory.
Can you describe a goal you are currently pursuing?
I am working to develop a comprehensive fall prevention and management program for people who use wheelchairs and scooters. While there is currently a lot of research being performed to support older adults who walk, there is very little fall prevention information that is appropriate for people who use wheelchairs and scooters. I am working to develop a fall prevention and management program and also a wearable device to help people get assistance after they fall.
How has the focus of your research changed or evolved since you first started in the field?
The amount of technology that can be used to prevent and manage falls has changed considerably. When I first started my intervention program, it was in person and we used a paper manual. While we still have the manual, the program is now all online and we use a mobile app to deliver the program.
How is most of your research funded? Do you have any advice for working with these sponsors?
I have funding from foundations (currently the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation) and also the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research. Quality of life and living well with a disability are items both organizations support. I would suggest ensuring your proposals tie back to those goals.
What is something you want your colleagues to know about you or your research?
I am very passionate about empowering people living with disabilities to live in their preferred environments and do the activities they enjoy!
What would you like to know about other researchers?
I am always interested in collaborating with others, especially other people who are interested in wearable technology. Please reach out to me!
Prof. Laura A. Rice can be reached at ricela@illinois.edu
IHSI affiliates demonstrate leadership and commitment to improving human health. The IHSI affiliate program is designed for those who wish to deepen their relationship with IHSI and contribute to its mission of catalyzing interdisciplinary health research that addresses personal, public, and planetary health challenges. Affiliates enjoy increased visibility and opportunities to engage with and benefit from IHSI staff, other affiliates, and networks, both across campus and with external partners, and to help shape health research, innovation, and translation.
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