Mike Studer | Health and Wellness | Excellence in Innovation

Dr. Mike Studer | Health and Wellness | Excellence in Innovation

PT, DPT, FAPTA, Touro University Nevada, United States 

Dr. Mike Studer, PT, DPT, MHS, FAPTA, is a nationally recognized physical therapist specializing in geriatrics and neurologic rehabilitation. With over 30 years of clinical, academic, and leadership experience, he’s a passionate educator, researcher, and advocate. Dr. Studer has authored books, developed certifications, and mentored countless professionals, aiming to enhance mobility and cognitive health across the lifespan. He currently serves as adjunct faculty at multiple institutions and co-owns Spark Rehabilitation and Wellness in Oregon.

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🎓 Education 📘

Mike Studer earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2021 from the College of St. Scholastica with a perfect 4.0 GPA. He holds a Master of Health Science in Physical Therapy with a Neurologic Emphasis (1998) from the Krannert School, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He also obtained his Bachelor of Health Science in Physical Therapy in 1991 from the University of Missouri, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.

💼 Experience 👨‍⚕️

Dr. Studer’s professional journey spans clinical care, academic teaching, and entrepreneurship. He co-founded Spark Rehabilitation and Wellness (2022–present), was President of Northwest Rehabilitation Associates (2004–2020), and has held teaching roles at Oregon State University, Touro University, and UNLV. His clinical posts include Salem Hospital and Younker Rehabilitation Center, specializing in stroke, geriatrics, and neurologic rehab.

🔬 Research Interest 🧬

Mike Studer’s research interests focus on neuroplasticity, stroke rehabilitation, fall prevention, dual-task training, and aging. He explores the intersection of motor learning and cognitive performance, applying behavioral economics to therapeutic outcomes. His work contributes significantly to understanding balance, mobility, and rehabilitation strategies for older adults and individuals with neurologic conditions.

🏅 Awards & Recognition 🏆

A respected figure in his field, Dr. Studer holds numerous certifications including NCS, CEEAA, CSST, and CBFP. He was honored as a Fellow of the APTA (FAPTA) and has received national and international recognition for his scholarly contributions, including invited commentary, editorial roles, and patent-pending innovations in dual-task HIIT rehabilitation.

📚 Publications 

Studer, M. (2025). Practical Applications in Lifespan and Healthspan. Journal of Rehabilitation Practices and Research. In Press.

Studer, M., Irwin, K., Wingood, M. (2025). The Pharmacists of Physical Activity. Healthcare. In Press.

Scales, R., Studer, M., et al. (2025). Balance Confidence in Early Cardiac Rehab. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Moore, K., et al., including Studer, M. (2024). Posturography with Machine Learning. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

Studer, M. (2024). Invited Commentary: Balance Perturbation in Parkinson’s. J Neuro Phys Ther. Cited by 6 articles.

Studer, M., Shubert, T. (2024). Behavioral Economics in Rehab. Physical Therapy.

Silva-Batista, C., Studer, M., et al. (2023). Mobility Rehab Feedback System. J Neuroeng Rehabil.

Vitório, R., Studer, M., et al. (2021). Mobility Rehab System Effectiveness. Frontiers in Neurology. Cited by 24 articles.

Studer, M. (2021). Exercise in Reality – WHO Guidelines. Gerinotes.

Studer, M. (2018). Dual Task Rehabilitation. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation.

Shumway-Cook, A., Studer, M., et al. (2013). Dynamic Gait Index Scoring Expansion. Physical Therapy Journal. Cited by 190+ articles.

Studer, M. (2007). Rehabilitation of Executive Function. J Neurol Phys Ther.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Mike Studer is a prime candidate for the Excellence in Innovation Award, with a career that exemplifies creative, evidence-based problem-solving in physical therapy and rehabilitation. His work is not only scientifically rigorous but also clinically transformative, making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and the professionals who serve them. With continued efforts in global collaboration and commercialization, Dr. Studer is well-positioned to shape the future of innovative healthcare delivery.

 

Pruteanu Lavinia-Lorena | Natural therapeutics | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr Pruteanu Lavinia-Lorena | Natural therapeutics | Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor, UTCN, Romania 

Dr. Lavinia-Lorena Pruteanu is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Biology, UTCN Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She specializes in health sciences, biomedical sciences, medicinal biochemistry, and nutrition. With a career spanning academia and research, Dr. Pruteanu has a strong focus on pharmaceutical sciences, drug discovery, and the application of bioinformatics in cancer research. She is a dedicated educator and mentor, supervising both bachelor’s and master’s students. Additionally, she has been involved in various international research projects, particularly in the fields of transcriptomics, natural products, and glioblastoma treatments. Her research contributions have been recognized globally.

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Education

Dr. Pruteanu holds a doctoral degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Chemistry with applications in biomedical life sciences, specializing in cheminformatics and bioinformatics. She also completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Chemistry and holds another Master’s degree in Nutrition and Quality of Life. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Cluj-Napoca and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca.

Experience

Dr. Pruteanu has held multiple prominent research roles, including Senior Scientist at IOTA Pharmaceuticals (Cambridge, UK), where she led gene expression research on glioblastoma and cancer cell lines. As a postdoctoral researcher at IOTA Pharmaceuticals and the University of Cambridge, she worked on the development of drug banks and the analysis of gene expression data for drug discovery. Additionally, she has served as a visiting researcher at prestigious institutions such as King’s College London and the University of Lincoln. Her academic experience includes teaching health sciences and biomedical sciences at UTCN Cluj-Napoca, where she also supervises graduate and undergraduate research.

Research Interests

Dr. Pruteanu’s research interests span across pharmaceutical sciences, natural products, drug discovery, bioinformatics, and transcriptomics. She focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer treatments, particularly glioblastoma, and the effects of synthetic and natural products on gene expression in cancer cells. Her work also includes using data-driven approaches to discover novel therapeutic agents and examining the role of bioinformatics in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.

Awards

Dr. Pruteanu has received several prestigious awards, including the World Federation of Scientists Scholarship for her work on anti-inflammatory herbal actions. She was also a finalist in the “Student of the Year in Romania” competition (2015-2016) and received the Erasmus Scholarship for a research visit to the University of Cambridge. Furthermore, she has been recognized for her contributions to doctoral research mobility, including the POSDRU fellowship and the World Federation of Scientists Fellowship.

Publications Top Notes

Dr. Pruteanu has published numerous research articles in high-impact journals, contributing to the advancement of drug discovery and cancer research. Notable publications include:

Pruteanu L., et al. (2023) “Transcriptomic-based drug repurposing for glioblastoma treatment,” Cancer Research, DOI:10.1016/j.cancerres.2023.04.005, Cited by 24.

Pruteanu L., et al. (2022) “Fucoxanthin as a potential natural compound for cancer therapy,” Phytochemistry Reviews, DOI:10.1007/s11101-022-09723-9, Cited by 12.

Conclusion

 Dr. Pruteanu’s impressive track record in biomedical research, her leadership in significant scientific projects, and her continued commitment to advancing knowledge in the fields of drug discovery and cancer research make her a worthy candidate for the “Best Researcher” award. Her ability to work in diverse, high-impact academic settings, combined with her contributions to both applied and theoretical research, underscores her exceptional potential as a researcher and a leader in the scientific community. With continued focus on translating her research into broader applications, Dr. Pruteanu has the opportunity to make even more groundbreaking contributions to the field.