Shilpa B. Gaikwad

I began my career in physical therapy in 2011, starting with my Bachelor's of Physiotherapy from Mumbai, India, followed by a Master's of Physiotherapy with a major in neuroscience and neurologic physical therapy, also from Mumbai. I worked as a full-time assistant professor at a physiotherapy school in India for two years before moving to the United States. I enrolled in the PhD in Rehabilitation Science program at Loma Linda University in California in 2013, where I also worked as a part-time research and teaching assistant while pursuing my doctorate. During this time, I obtained my NPT license and passed the NPTE license exam for physical therapy, receiving my license to practice in the state of New York. After graduating with my PhD in 2016, I moved to New York and practiced in inpatient rehabilitation and acute care settings for less than a year. However, I was always interested in continuing a teaching and research role. In 2017, I took a position at NOVA Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where I taught in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and served as a clinical mentor for neurologic physical therapy residents and on PhD students' dissertation committees. I started at the rank of Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2021. In December 2022, I moved to Pittsburgh and joined the University of Pittsburgh at the rank of Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Department. Currently, I teach neuroscience in the hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program, assist with neurologic physical therapy labs and courses in both hybrid and residential programs, and teach in the Master's of Physical Therapy program and undergraduate rehabilitation science program. My research interests include vestibular rehabilitation, chronic motion sensitivity, and balance and falls in older adults. I maintain an active pro bono clinical practice serving underserved patients without medical insurance, and I serve at the national level with the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, a branch of the American Physical Therapy Association. I have published about 10 peer-reviewed research articles and several non-peer-reviewed write-ups.