Rehabilitation Science University at Buffalo

05/27/2026

📚 Publication Spotlight

Faculty from the University at Buffalo Doctor of Physical Therapy Program collaborated with colleagues from the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences on an important position paper examining the role of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) in accreditation preparation and compliance across higher education programs.

Published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education, the official journal of the APTA Academy of Education, this paper is among the first on this topic within physical therapy education and higher education accreditation.

The paper explores how RAG technology may support accreditation processes through improved organization, efficiency, accuracy, and document retrieval while maintaining essential human oversight.

Authors include Michael Seils and Michael Brown from University at Buffalo alongside Douglas Haladay and Melissa Lazinski from University of South Florida.

This collaboration highlights the growing role of innovative technology in advancing excellence and accountability in health professions education.

Article:
https://lnkd.in/gYHXT6MS



https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ubphysicaltherapy_ubuffalo-ubsphhp-ubpt-activity-7465378390179745792-iPH-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAA4hqBUBbHL7QCzXtZUtQd2L3gNtdUozEcs

📚 Publication Spotlight Faculty from the University at Buffalo Doctor of Physical Therapy collaborated with colleagues from the University of South Florida School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences on an important position paper examining the role of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (R...

05/17/2026

UB Rehabilitation Science faculty from our Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs gathered in academic regalia to celebrate commencement and honor the Class of 2026.

We are incredibly proud of our graduates and all they have accomplished. Wishing the Class of 2026 continued success as they begin the next phase of their careers.

05/16/2026

Friday evening after finals, while many are taking a well-earned break, Dr. Jill Mayer and some of our University at Buffalo Physical Therapy students were out serving the community.

Daniel Conway, Ilya Tereshkevich, Annabella D'Ambrosio, Ethan Cole Sison, and Lydia Nhan, volunteered at the Special Olympics New York State Bowling Championships in Buffalo, supporting athletes through interactive health and wellness stations.

They led warm-ups and stretching, and assisted with hydration, nutrition, and overall competition readiness.

Experiences like this bring learning beyond the classroom, helping students build clinical skills while advancing service, inclusion, and community engagement.

Proud of our students for showing up and making an impact.

05/14/2026

This week, the UB DPT Class of 2026 returned to campus for doctoral hooding and commencement after completing their final internships.

Before the celebrations, it was time for a little fun.

Students and faculty came together for a friendly kickball game, filled with laughs and a little competition.

A great way to reconnect and celebrate being back together.

05/14/2026

Student Spotlight: Brianna Wheelock

APTA New York Student Participation Award Recipient

Why PT?
“I chose Physical therapy in order to help people in a more holistic way. I have always been interested in health and wellness and once I had gone to physical therapy myself I realized it was the profession for me. I love the idea of movement is medicine and getting people back to their daily activities and hobbies that they enjoy and love.”

Why University at Buffalo PT?
“UB PT offers 5 clinical experiences throughout the three years which allows me to experience different settings prior to graduation. I also went through the 3+3 program which allowed me the smooth transition from undergrad at UB to getting into the UB PT program. The faculty and staff have all been so helpful and accommodating for me as well and are always available for questions and/or assistance.”

Favorite UB PT Memory:
“Adaptive sports day with my classmates and the Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports group.”

Career Goals After Graduation:
“I would love to do travel Physical therapy in order to travel more while also continuing to explore different settings within the profession.”

Hobbies & Interests:
“I love to be outside, hike, finding new cafes to try, and enjoying quality time with friends and family.”

Advice for Future Students:
“You can do hard things. Physical therapy is such an awarding profession helping those get back to what they love. Stay curious and open to new ideas. Do not be afraid to ask for help everyone is here to help you.”

Closing Reflection:
“I just want to thank you UB PT for the most amazing 3 years and I feel so fortunate to be apart of a profession that makes such big impacts on people and have the ability to advocate for the profession on so many levels. I will always remember my 3 years of the UB DPT program; meeting my best friends, learning from many knowledgeable professors and clinicians, and will carry all these memories and knowledge with me wherever I go throughout my journey as a future PT.”

Congratulations to Brianna Wheelock on receiving the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) New York Student Participation Award and for her contributions to the UB PT community.

05/13/2026

Now live: the WNY Long COVID Resource Center.

Developed by the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, this new platform offers practical education, clinical guidance, and resources to support providers caring for patients with Long COVID. Training videos, tools, and CME/CE opportunities are available.

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

The University at Buffalo DPT Class of 2028 recently celebrated a major milestone at the 20th Annual UB PT White Coat Ceremony alongside faculty, family, friends, and alumni supporters.

Established in 2006 by Alfred Caffiero, BS, PT, the White Coat Ceremony recognizes the transition of first-year physical therapy students into the clinical phase of their professional education.

As our students complete their first academic year and prepare to begin the first of five clinical internships across the 3-year DPT program, the ceremony serves as a reminder of the professionalism, compassion, service, and commitment expected within the profession of physical therapy.

We also recognize and thank Al’s daughters, Elizabeth Smietana and Leanne Pressly, for continuing to support Al’s vision and legacy. Their ongoing commitment helps inspire future physical therapists to give their best, support others, and pay it forward.

Congratulations to the UB PT Class of 2028 as you begin this next chapter of your journey toward becoming physical therapists!

05/07/2026

UB Pillars of Leadership Award Winners
We are proud to recognize two outstanding students whose leadership and service continue to strengthen our PT community.

Danielle Silverstone
Commitment to Community Growth Award
Danielle supports student success as an Academic Assistant in the Honors College Living Learning Community, serving 90 residents and holding 10 weekly office hours to assist students in foundational sciences and math.
She also serves as an Emergency Medical Technician with Twin City Ambulance, where she conducts patient assessments, provides pre-hospital care, operates emergency vehicles safely, and completes detailed patient care documentation. Danielle’s work reflects a strong commitment to both academic support and emergency healthcare service.

Joshua Manning
UB Pride & Service Award (Graduate Student)
Joshua served as President of the UB Physical Therapy Club, where he helped strengthen student engagement, leadership, and service. He played a key role in building momentum for club initiatives that continue today, including Feed My Starving Children, Alzheimer’s and su***de prevention walks, Seneca Babcock community cleanups, mobile health unit fall screenings, UB Aphasia Day, and Parkinson’s wellness events.
His leadership helped establish lasting structure and student involvement that allowed these efforts to grow beyond his presidency, with continued impact across the program.

Together, Danielle and Joshua reflect the UB PT Pillars of Leadership through service, leadership, and lasting impact.

Congratulations to both award recipients for their outstanding commitment to leadership and community engagement, and for the meaningful impact they continue to make across campus and in the broader community.

Dr. Seils was also recognized as Student Organization Advisor of the Year and consistently credits the success of the PT Club to strong student leadership, engagement, and buy-in.

05/05/2026

Dissertation Defense & Research Recognition

Ignacio Novoa Cornejo, PhD Candidate in the University at Buffalo Rehabilitation Science Program, successfully defended his dissertation on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Dissertation Title:
Expanding the Vestibular Motor Network: From Spinal Reflexes to Muscle Activation Patterns in the Neck and Upper Limb Control

His doctoral work advances understanding of vestibular-motor integration, with a focus on how vestibular evoked responses contribute to postural control and upper limb muscle activation.

The dissertation integrates reflex-level mechanisms with functional movement control, offering new insight into the neural control of balance and coordinated movement.

Dissertation Committee:
Cristian Cuadra, PhD (Advisor)
Robert Burkard, PhD, CCC-A, University at Buffalo
Eduardo Martinez, PT, MSc, PhD, University of Birmingham, UK
Devin L. McCaslin, PhD, University of Michigan
Jacob McPherson, PT, DPT, PhD, University at Buffalo

This milestone follows recent recognition at the J. Warren Perry Poster Day, an annual SPHHP event showcasing graduate student research across all five departments.

At this year’s event, Ignacio was awarded Best Poster – PhD Student for his presentation, “Posture and Task Modulation of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Reflexes While Standing,” presented with his advisor Cristian Cuadra, PhD.

Together, these accomplishments highlight both the scholarly impact and translational relevance of his doctoral research in vestibular science and rehabilitation.

Ignacio will continue as a post doc in the Neural Control of Movement & Neuromodulation (NCMN) Lab at UB