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Educational Background
B.S., Physical Therapy. Boston University.
M.S., Physiology. The Pennsylvania State University.
Ph.D., Exercise Physiology. The Ohio State University.
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Experimental Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition Section, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD.
Scholarly Interests
Research Interests: screening and intervention strategies for the prevention of obesity and the metabolic syndrome in children, adolescents, and adults. Exercise and inflammation in animal models. Obesity and insulin resistance in animal models. Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise in older men and women. Molecular mechanisms of glucose transport and insulin action in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.
Teaching Responsibilities: Entry-Level Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program; Medical Surgical Conditions/Pathology. Undergraduate Exercise Physiology Program; Exercise Physiology, Research Methods.
Bio Sketch
Dr. Ferrara joined the Physical Therapy department faculty as an Assistant Professor in 2003. She received her B.S. in Physical Therapy at Boston University, a M.S. in Physiology from Penn State, and a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from Ohio State. Dr. Ferrara has completed post-doctoral training in the Experimental Diabetes, Nutrition, and Metabolism Section, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and in the Division of Gerontology, University of Maryland, Baltimore. She held a research faculty position at the University of Maryland Baltimore prior to her appointment at UMass Lowell, and has published papers on aging, diabetes, and obesity-related research.
Dr. Ferrara is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Physiological Society, and the American Diabetes Association. She has served on the Research and Clinical Practice committee of the NH APTA and as a board member for US Figure Skating Sports Medicine Society. She serves as chair of the School of Health and Environment Administrative Space committee, has served on the Advancement Committee for the school, and has served on the curriculum committees for the physical therapy and exercise physiology programs.