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Research
Gustavo J Almeida, PT, Ph.D.
Currently not seeking mentees
Dr. Almeida received his Physical Therapy degree and training in Brazil and has over 20 years of clinical experience with focus in Sports and Orthopedics Rehabilitation. He obtained his PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh with a research focus on interventions to enhance activity participation in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at UT Health San Antonio. His research efforts focus on exercise interventions to improve physical function and activity in older adults. More specifically, Dr. Almeida is currently investigating the benefits of blood-flow restriction training in older adults awaiting total knee replacement and in those with Parkinson's Disease.
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Professional Background
Education
- 2015 - PhD - Rehabilitation Science - University of Pittsburgh
- 2005 - MS - Evidence-based Medicine - Brazilian Cochrane Centre - Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Brazil
- 2002 - Specialization - Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Rehabilitation - Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Brazil
- 2001 - BPT - Physical Therapy - Centro Universitario do Triangulo, Uberlandia, MG, Brazil
Training
- 2019 - Certified - Bood-flow Restriction Training - B-Strong
- 2004 - Clinical Fellowship - Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Training Program - University of Pittsburgh
- 2003 - Residency - Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Rehabilitation - Cohens Institute: Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
Appointments
- 2023-present - Graduate faculty - PhD in Health Sciences Program - UT Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, TX
- 10/2019-present - Assistant Professor - Department of Orthopaedics - UT Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, TX
- 6/2019-present - Assistant Professor - Department of Physical Therapy - UT Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, TX
- 10/2015-6/2019 - Research Assistant Professor - Department of Physical Therapy - University of Pittsburgh
- 1/2010-9/2015 - Research Physical Therapist - Department of Physical Therapy - University of Pittsburgh
- 1/2007-12/2009 - Graduate Student Researcher - Department of Physical Therapy - University of Pittsburgh
- 3/2003-12/2006 - Research Assistant - Brazilian Cochrane Centre - Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- 3/2003-11/2006 - Visiting Professor - Department of Physical Therapy - Sao Marcos University - Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Instruction & Training
- 8/2019 - Present, Exercise Physiology of Rehab - DPT Program, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio
- 8/2019 - Present, Movement Science I - DPT Program, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio
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Research & Grants
Grants
Title: Blood Flow Restriction for Optimizing balance in Parkinson’s Disease
PI: Anjali Sivaramakrishnan
Co-investigator: Gustavo Almeida *Effort: 5%
Funding agency: Pilot and Exploratory Studies of Core of the San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Center Older Americans Independence Center
Funding amount: $48,000
Time frame: Feb 2024 – Jun 2025
Status: Funded *Ongoing
Title: Nutritional optimization and bone health management for older adults undergoing hip fracture: a pilot study
PI: Boris Zelle
Co-investigator: Gustavo Almeida *Effort: 5%
Funding agency: Clinical and Translational Science Awards Pilot Studies Program
Funding amount: $25,000
Time frame: Dec 2023 – Nov 2024
Status: Funded *Ongoing
Title: Exploring the effects of blood flow restriction training on neuroplasticity in older adults
PI: Gustavo Almeida *Effort: 10%
Co-investigator: Anjali Sivaramakrishnan
Funding agency: Pilot and Exploratory Studies of Core of the San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Center Older Americans Independence Center
Funding amount: $50,000
Time frame: Dec 2023 – Nov 2024
Status: Funded *Ongoing
Title: Using Holistic Approaches to Optimize Outcomes for Latina Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study
PI: Amelie Ramirez, Daniel Hughes
Co-investigator: Gustavo Almeida *Effort: 3%
Funding agency: Susan Komen Foundation
Funding amount: $250,000
Time frame: Aug 2022 – Jul 2025
Status: Funded *Ongoing
Title: Feasibility of Prehabilitation Blood-flow Restriction Training in Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis Awaiting Total Knee Replacement
PI: Gustavo Almeida *Effort: 5%
Co-investigator: Boris Zelle
Funding agency: SHP Pilot Seed Grant Program – UT Health
Funding amount: $10,000
Time frame: June 2020 – June 2021 *No-cost extension until Dec 2024*
Status: Funded *Ongoing
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Service
School
2023-present SHP Wellness Committee - Member (UT Health San Antonio)
2021-present SHP Strategic Planning Research Task Force - Member (UT Health San Antonio)
2019-present SHP Distinction in Research Committee - Member (UT Health San Antonio)
2019-present SHP Research Development Committee - Member (UT Health San Antonio)
2019-present SHP Search Committee - Member (UT Health San Antonio)
Institutional
2019-present Institutional Review Board – Primary and Alternate Member (UT Health San Antonio)
Service to the Profession
National
2023-present APTA Research Awards Subcommittee - Member
2019-present APTA Academy of Physical Therapy Research - Reviewer
International
2022-present Global Rehabilitation Health Worker Certification Item-Writing Team - CGFNS International, Inc
2020-present Abstract Reviewer – World Physiotherapy Congress
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Publications