PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
and working to answer these questions for their respective disciplines.” Being in this environment stimulates collaboration, “and after finding this collaboration, I realized that it is possible to contribute to research in a meaningful way without having a full-time career in research— and still fulfill my passion for patient care and teaching.” Today, Gray teaches, practices, and researches both prosthetics and orthotics “across a variety of patient populations and diagnoses.” In addition to the current prosthetic foot investigation, Gray is part of a team that is investigating the effects of Sutti Bounders modular pediatric dynamic elastomers on pediatric gait. “The initial results, showing a potential for ankle power generation by the Bounder, are exciting,” she says. “We are actively working to expand this study and hope to share full results with the profession.”
At School and at Home
In her role as instructor and program director, Gray likes to demonstrate the importance of research and how it can improve the care her students will eventually provide future patients. She also shares her own research experiences and encourages students to contribute their clinical expertise to collaborative research projects. “The faculty at UT Southwestern assist students by guiding them through research projects that align with their both clinic and research interests,” says Gray.
“The faculty at UT Southwestern assist students by guiding research projects that align with both their clinic and research interests.”
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Leslie Gray, MEd, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, is the author or presenter of dozens of peer-reviewed articles and conference presentations. Some of her most impactful contributions include the following:
Leslie Gray, MEd, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, leads a presentation at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in November 2019. Additionally, the School of Health Professions at UT Southwestern has a doctorate program in applied clinical research that is designed to provide research training in patient-oriented research and clinically relevant basic/ translational research for graduate-level healthcare professionals who hold a minimum of a master’s degree. While her academic, clinical, and research duties keep Gray busy, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her family during her off-hours. “My husband and I enjoy off-road biking with our 12-year-old daughter—we can’t call it mountain biking [given the terrain] in Dallas—and any activity that allows us to be outdoors,” she says. “Evening walks with my daughter are my most cherished times. I relax by cooking on Sundays, and I’m a three-time chili cookoff champion at my work.” Gray’s O&P clinical hand skills also come in handy at home. “I’m proud to say that I’m handy enough to work with my husband on our classic truck and tackle any home repair or remodeling project that comes our way,” she says. As she embarks on new research projects and works to better inform the profession and push for evidence-based care, Gray is coming much closer to answering the “Why?” in O&P.
• Rezazadeh, S., Quintero, D., Divekar, N., Reznick, E., Gray, L., Gregg, R. “A Phase Variable Approach for Improved Rhythmic and Nonrhythmic Control of a Powered Knee-Ankle Prosthesis,” IEEE Access, Vol. 7, pp. 109840-109855, 2019. DOI: 10.1109/access.2019.2933614. • Hurst, M. Gray, L. “Critically Appraised Topic (CAT): Clinical Considerations for 3D Printing Lower-Limb Sockets,” American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, September 2019. • Hatler, K., Gray, L., Wilson, D. “Critically Appraised Topic (CAT): The Clinical Differences Between Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass Composite Prosthetic Feet,” American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, 2018. • Quintero, D., Reznick, E., Lambert, D.J., Rezazadeh, S., Gray, L., Gregg, R. “Intuitive Clinician Control Interface for a Powered Knee-Ankle Prosthesis: A Case Study,” IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, Vol. 6, pp. 1-9, 2018, Article No. 2600209. DOI: 10.1109/JTEHM.2018.2880199.
PHOTO: Leslie Gray, MEd, CPO, LPO, FAAOP
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Notable Works