[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ml7os1k8pdoh.i.optimole.com\/cb:FMBB.50741\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/ncope.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/The-Orthotics-and-Prosthetics-Foundation_main-logo.png” title_text=”The-Orthotics-and-Prosthetics-Foundation_main-logo” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025\u00a0Pilot and Early Career Research Grants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Early Career<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Pilot Research Grants<\/strong>\u00a0are intended to help investigators initiate lines of research that will be competitive for larger funding opportunities through funding agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), or the Department of Defense (DOD).\u00a0The Early Career Grant<\/strong>\u00a0is designed to support those\u00a0investigators who are less than 10 years from their terminal degrees.<\/p>\n These\u00a0$30,000<\/strong>\u00a0grants are\u00a0awarded annually and are\u00a0based on the scientific merit, clinical relevance of and the extent to which the project aligns with the O&P Foundation\u00a0research priorities<\/a>. This year\u2019s recipients were selected through a rigorous peer-review process for projects that address pressing questions in patient care, clinical effectiveness, and treatment outcomes.<\/p>\n Congratulations to our 2025 recipients, your dedication is helping to ensure better care for patients today and into the future.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#05437A” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_text_color=”#05437A” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ncope.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Stefania_Fatone_Fatone_Stefania-edited-225×300.webp” title_text=”Stefania_Fatone_Fatone_Stefania-edited” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Stefania Fatone PhD, BPO (Hons)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. Stefania Fatone<\/strong>\u00a0is a Professor and Associate Chair in the University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Program Director of the UW Prosthetics and Orthotics Program, and Director of the Orthotic and Prosthetic Assessment Lab (OPAL). She has an undergraduate degree in prosthetics and orthotics and a PhD from La Trobe University in Australia, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University. Dr. Fatone\u2019s research examines the effects of prostheses and orthoses on human movement and function to increase understanding, establish efficacy, and improve effectiveness of prosthetic and orthotic interventions for people with disability. She has nearly 30 years of experience conducting orthotic and prosthetic research. Her research includes a broad range of experimental, qualitative, and review studies in areas such as transfemoral prosthetic socket biomechanics and design, orthotic management of upper motor neuron lesions, and partial foot amputation. Dr. Fatone is the co-developer of the Northwestern University Flexible Sub-ischial Socket technique.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_6_text_color=”#0085BD” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cI am grateful to The O&P Foundation for funding our research. I appreciate the effort that volunteers on the research committee and reviewers put into the application review process. I also thank all the donors who contribute and support the Foundation. I\u2019ve witnessed firsthand that research improves the lives of prosthesis and orthosis users and am truly grateful to be part of a community that continues to support, encourage, and advance our profession through research.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#05437A” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_text_color=”#05437A” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ncope.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Anat_Kristal_20250923_Anat-Kristal_049-scaled-1-214×300.webp” title_text=”Anat_Kristal_20250923_Anat-Kristal_049-scaled” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Anat Kristal PhD, MSc-PT<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px|||||” custom_padding=”3px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. Anat Kristal<\/strong>\u00a0is an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami (UM), Miller School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy. Her primary research interests include developing tools to improve the measurement of health outcomes in pediatric and adult populations with lower limb loss. Her work has focused on the development of the Functional Lower-limb Amputee Gait (FLAG) Assessment, an observational gait analysis tool designed to promote consistent administration and scoring of gait assessments for people with lower limb amputation. She was also involved in the development of the PROsthetic Mobility Performance Test (PROMPT) for evaluating mobility in lower limb prosthesis users (LLPUs), and the Children\u2019s Amputee Mobility Predictor (CAMP) for assessing functional capability in children with leg length discrepancies. Dr. Kristal\u2019s current research is directed at studying reactive balance responses and fall risk in LLPUs, with the goal of identifying mechanisms that inform rehabilitation interventions to enhance prosthetic mobility and reduce falls. Her work has resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international scientific conferences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_6_text_color=”#0085BD” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>It is a tremendous honor to receive the Early Career Research Grant from the O&P Foundation. This support will help me examine how reactive balance responses differ between users of microprocessor-controlled and non-microprocessor prosthetic knees. By exploring these mechanisms, I hope to contribute to the development of rehabilitation interventions that may enhance prosthetic mobility and help reduce falls, supporting safer movement for people with lower limb loss. I deeply appreciate this incredible opportunity.<\/em>\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#05437A” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ncope.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Alexandria_Mallinos_Alexandria-Mallinos-TAS_9228-1-edited-scaled-1-225×300.webp” title_text=”Alexandria_Mallinos_Alexandria-Mallinos-TAS_9228-1-edited-scaled” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alexandria Mallinos PhD<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-11px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” width=”100%”]<\/p>\n Dr. Alexandria (Lexie) Mallinos\u00a0<\/strong>is an Associate Research Scientist at Akron Children\u2019s Hospital. Dr. Mallinos earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Akron, followed by a Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Eastern Michigan University. She completed her PhD in Applied Biomedical Engineering at Cleveland State University, where her groundbreaking research integrated finite element analysis into pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) biomechanics. Dr. Mallinos specializes in pediatric orthopedic biomechanics, particularly in simulation-based approaches aimed at improving outcomes in knee injuries and spinal deformities. She uniquely integrates her clinical background in orthotics and prosthetics with her expertise in engineering, allowing her to bridge clinical practice with advanced biomechanical modeling. She has conducted extensive research validating computational models for injury mechanisms, orthotic interventions, and surgical planning. Dr. Mallinos also completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the renowned biomechanics group at Polytechnique Montr\u00e9al, focused on deterministic modeling of posterior spinal fusion procedures for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. With numerous high-impact publications and a commitment to translational research, Dr. Mallinos combines clinical insights with advanced engineering techniques to enhance patient care in orthopedics and prosthetics.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|-77px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_6_text_color=”#0085BD” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored to receive the Orthotic and Prosthetic Foundation for Education and Research Early Career Grant. This support will allow me to advance simulation-based approaches that bridge engineering innovation with clinical practice, ultimately improving outcomes for children with ACL reconstructions. I am excited to contribute to the future of orthotics and prosthetics through research that translates directly to patient care.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025\u00a0Pilot and Early Career Research Grants. The Early Career\u00a0and\u00a0Pilot Research Grants\u00a0are intended to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1401,"featured_media":40754,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Each year, the Academy recognizes members for their outstanding achievements with the Academy Member Awards<\/strong><\/a>. The Academy is proud to partner with the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education<\/strong><\/a> (NCOPE) to present the inaugural NCOPE Clinical Mentoring Award<\/strong><\/a> to recognize Academy members who are outstanding clinical mentors and who make substantial contributions to residents learning and professional development.<\/p> Please review the award descriptions and judging rubrics<\/strong><\/a> carefully and put forward names you feel are deserving of one of these career-distinguishing honors.<\/p> HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS<\/strong><\/p> Complete the submission form via the link below no later than Friday, October 11, 2024. To confirm that your proposed member award candidate has not received the award previously, visit the Academy history webpage<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p> Nominate a Member for a 2025 Academy Award <\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/td> \u00a0<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> Thank you for your participation. Please contact the Academy at (202) 380-3663 with any questions about the nomination process.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> Sincerely,<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[365,1],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-55344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-page-post","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nPilot Grant<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Evaluation of a Prototype Socket Fit Testing System to Assess Coupling of the Prosthetic Socket in Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation.<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n
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Early Career Grants<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Reactive Balance Control Mechanism of Microprocessor Knee and Non-microprocessor Knee Users.<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n
\n
Applied Contact Loading of Functional ACL Orthoses and Their Effectiveness in Preventing Anterior Tibial Translation.<\/strong><\/em><\/h6>\n
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SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS<\/h1>
Academy Member Awards<\/strong><\/h1>
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: October 11th, 2024<\/h2>
The Academy Nominating Committee welcomes nominates for the 2025 Academy Member Awards.<\/strong><\/h3>
Award recipients will be honored at the 2025 Academy Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium.<\/h3>
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