Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine announced the launch of its Master of Prosthetics & Orthotics Research (MPO-R) program. Offered through the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center (NUPOC), it is the first program of its kind in the United States, bridging the gap between clinical care and scientific discovery in O&P.
The MPO-R program welcomed its first cohort of five students in 2024; they are now entering their second year of study.
“I chose to pursue the MPO-R because I have a vision for my future that involves being both a clinician and a researcher,” said Elyssia Wellington. “I want to be able to be on the front end of design, development, and research of technologies in the field while being able to implement them as a clinician to better serve the people.
The MPO-R program is a nine-session graduate program that builds on the established MPO curriculum by adding two additional sessions dedicated to research-focused coursework and a thesis-driven capstone project.
Students in the MPO-R program will:
- Complete the clinical education requirements for the MPO program
- Take additional coursework in statistics, biomechanics, scientific writing, and research design
- Develop and defend an original research thesis under the mentorship of a dedicated faculty committee
- Gain immersive experience in both clinical practice and rehabilitation research
“My experience has helped motivate me to be a more critical thinker and to think outside the box when it comes to rehabilitation research. Outside of classwork, I like having an additional avenue to further explore topics I am passionate about and being able to collaborate with and learn from experts in the field,” said Maria Gamez, another member of the inaugural cohort.
“This program empowers students to ask important questions, design meaningful studies, and ultimately shape the future of prosthetic and orthotic care through evidence-based practice,” said Matthew Major, PhD, program director.
