Meet our Team
A multidisciplinary research team seeking to
advance healthcare for people with limb loss & difference
Director
Graci Finco, Ph.D., C.P.O.
Dr. Graci Finco is the director of the Limb Loss & Difference Lab. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Texas Christian University. She is also on the Board of Directors for the O&P Foundation, which distributes scholarships for students, clinicians, and researchers in orthotics and prosthetics.
Research Scientists
Alexis Gant, Ph.D.
Dr. Gant has a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a focus in Biomechanics from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her expertise is in biomechanics research with a focus on human movement analysis, knee joint mechanics and musculoskeletal health and injury prevention.
Kristin Perrin, Ph.D., C.P.O.
Dr. Kristin Perrin is a Postdoctoral Researcher for the Limb Loss & Difference Lab. She completed her Ph.D. in Movement Science at the University of Michigan. Her dissertation research examined factors influencing the successful daily use of lower-limb prostheses, specifically the combined effects of neuromuscular factors and socket type on functional mobility. She contributes to several lab research projects and is deeply committed to bridging the gap between engineering innovation and patient care to advance clinical outcomes.
Emily Dinelli, Ph.D., C.P.O.
Dr. Emily Dinelli is a team researcher for the Limb Loss & Difference Lab. She contributes to various projects by providing methodological, analytic, and writing support.
Doctorate of Physical Therapy Trainees
Eva Stevens
Eva is a doctoral student in physical therapy at the University of North Texas.
Rebecca Kostroun
Rebecca is a doctoral student in physical therapy at the University of North Texas.
Prosthetics & Orthotics Trainees
Cyprus Fisher
Cyprus is a Master’s of Prosthetics and Orthotics Student/Resident at Baylor College of Medicine.
Kirsten Lucy
Kirsten is a Master’s of Prosthetics and Orthotics Student/Resident at Baylor College of Medicine.
Osteopathic Medicine Trainees
Ashley Farokhrouz
Ashley is studying Osteopathic Medicine at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, OMS-II.
Jacob Cunningham
Jacob is studying Osteopathic Medicine at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, OMS-IV.
Jacy Lim
Jacy is studying Osteopathic Medicine at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, OMS-II.
Purvee Patel
Purvee is studying Osteopathic Medicine at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, OMS-IV.
Sarah Kurji
Sarah is studying Osteopathic Medicine at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, OMS-II.
Sneha John
Sneha is studying Osteopathic Medicine at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, OMS-II.
Undergraduate Trainees
Bilqees Ade-Jamiu
Bilqees is an undergraduate student at Texas Christian University and hopes to become a Physical Therapist in the future.
Dulce Medina
Dulce is an undergraduate student at Texas A&M University and hopes to become a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist in the future.
Emily Morales
Emily is an undergraduate student at Texas Christian University and hopes to become a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist in the future.
Zaida Sauceda
Zaida is an undergraduate student at Texas Christian University and hope to become an Occupational Therapist in the future.
PhD Committee Advisement
Britt Moores, C.P.O.
Dissertation entitled, Understanding patient and prosthetist preferences for prosthesis alignment and stiffness
PhD in Human Movement and Rehabilitation Science at Northeastern University
Primary Advisor: Dr. Max Shepherd
Hannah Young, D.P.T.
Dr. Finco served as a committee member for Hannah’s dissertation entitled, Self-efficacy among clinicians who treat people who have limb loss and limb difference.
PhD in Rehabilitation and Health Science at the University of Kentucky
Primary Advisor: Dr. Sheila Clemens
Past Trainees
Cally Soh, C.P.O.
Cally completed a research project entitled, Cut-off scores to distinguish 6-month prospective fallers who use a unilateral lower-limb prosthesis: a secondary analysis of pilot data, while studying at Baylor College of Medicine for her Master’s in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
Hayden Gavette, C.P.O.
Hayden completed a research project entitled, Advances in prosthetic technology: a perspective on ethical considerations for development and
clinical translation, while studying at Baylor College of Medicine for his Master’s in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
Helen Saber, Daniela Santacruz, TJ McKee, Purvee Patel, & Dulce Medina
This group completed a study entitled, Use of EMG to evaluate gait in people who use a lower-limb prosthesis, while pursuing their clinical/educational degrees.
Pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Purvee Pursuing a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Dulce Pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science
Photo (Left to Right): Daniela Santacrus, Graci Finco, TJ McKee, Helen Saber (Not Pictured: Purvee Patel & Dulce Medina)
Lunden McRoberts, Rebecca Kostroun, Liberty Hipp, Reid Chambers, & Kirsten Lucy
This group completed a study entitled, Barriers and motivators to participating in prosthetics research: a qualitative study on patient and clinician perspectives, while pursuing their clinical degrees.
Pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy; Kirsten Lucy pursuing a Master’s in Prosthetics and Orthotics
Photo (Left to Right): Rebecca Kostroun, Reid Chambers, Graci Finco, Liberty Hipp, Lunden McRoberts (Not Pictured: Kirsten Lucy)