Cara L. Lewis, PT, PhD

Cara L. Lewis, PT, PhD is a Professor of Physical Therapy and Director of the Human Adaptation Laboratory. The long-term goal of her research is to improve the lives of individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain and prevent or slow the progression of musculoskeletal damage through improved knowledge of joint function, leading to advanced, targeted intervention strategies. Dr. Lewis’ current work focuses on prevention of and treatment for hip pain, especially in adolescents and young adults with variant hip morphology, such as femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and acetabular dysplasia.

In the Human Adaptation Laboratory, they are working to better understand the role of movement in the development of hip bone shape and hip pain. The knowledge gained from Dr. Lewis’ work has the potential to promote hip health and redirect treatment for people with FAIS and dysplasia by identifying pathology-specific movement patterns that could be targeted by non-invasive therapeutic interventions.

 Dr. Lewis has been supported by multiple funding agencies and foundations including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Rheumatology Research Foundation, and the Arthritis Foundation. She has published and presented her research nationally and internationally in biomechanics, physical therapy, and motor control forums.

Publications

Lists of published works: Google Scholar

Lists of published works: ORCID

NIH National Library of Medicine

Awards and Honors

• 2023 Reviewer of the Year, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
• 2022 Nominee, Supervisor of the Year, Boston University
• 2019 Nominee, Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education

Licenses and Certifications

Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts: Physical Therapist 112159