Rate My Professor Laura Gras

Laura Z. Gras, PT, DPT, DSc, MS, a Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist Emeritus, is Professor and Physical Therapy Program Director in Ithaca College's Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences and Human Performance. She holds a Doctor of Science in Geriatrics from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Science in health services administration, and Bachelor of Science from Russell Sage College, as well as a Gerontology Certificate. Dr. Gras teaches in the neuromuscular track, specializing in neurorehabilitation, geriatrics, and interprofessional education (IPE). She was promoted from associate professor to full professor and awarded tenure by the Ithaca College Board of Trustees. Additionally, she was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in 2023.

Dr. Gras's research centers on geriatrics, including fall prevention, balance and gait analyses in older adults, and interprofessional education. Select publications include 'Balance and gait of adults with very mild Alzheimer disease' (Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 2015, 146 citations), 'Lighting and perceptual cues: Effects on gait measures of older adults at high and low risk for falls' (BMC Geriatrics, 2011, 97 citations), 'Lighting for improving balance in older adults with and without risk for falls' (Age and Ageing, 2012, 46 citations), 'A novel night lighting system for postural control and stability in seniors' (Lighting Research & Technology, 2008, 44 citations), 'Reliability and validity of the Nintendo Wii Fit' (Journal of CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation, 2009, 22 citations), and 'A comparison of hip versus ankle exercises in elders and the influence on balance and gait' (Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 2004, 21 citations). She contributes to the field through roles such as Secretary of the Interprofessional Education and Practice Special Interest Group, Nominating Committee Member for the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, member of its Movement Systems Task Force, and as a reviewer for the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. Dr. Gras completed the American Physical Therapy Association's Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership in 2022-2023.