Graci Finco

Graci Finco, PhD, CPO

Assistant Professor
Center for Anatomical Sciences & Department of Physical Therapy (Joint Appointments)
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Ft. Worth, TX 76107
Graci.Finco@unthsc.edu

Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center (2022)
M.S. Orthotics & Prosthetics, Baylor College of Medicine (2016)
B.S. Biology, University of North Texas (2014)

Postdoctoral Fellowship:  Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine (2022-2024)

Curriculum Vitae

Finco Lab Website

UNTHSC Physical Therapy Faculty Page

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Bio

Dr. Graci Finco, PhD, CPO, is an Assistant Professor, with dual appointments in the UNTHSC Department of Physical Therapy (School of Health Professions) and Center for Anatomical Sciences (School of Biomedical Sciences). She teaches courses in orthotics and prosthetics, gait, and clinical research. She is contracted with the Amputee Coalition (largest non-profit for people with limb loss and difference) as an External Evaluator to measure program improvement. She is also on the Board of Directors for the O&P Foundation, where she serves on the Research Committee.

She previously held a Faculty Instructor position at Baylor College of Medicine, where she completed a Postdoctoral position. She completed her PhD in the Center for Anatomical Sciences in 2022, where she worked with Dr. Rachel Menegaz and Dr. Rita Patterson. Before deciding to pursue a PhD, she worked as a Research Prosthetist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, became American Board Certified in Orthotics and Prosthetics, and completed her Master’s of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Baylor College of Medicine. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of North Texas in 2014.

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Research

While the media tends to cover novel advances in prosthetic design, few people can afford this new technology, and there is still much we don’t know about prosthetic clinical care. Dr. Finco’s research is focused on informing evidence-based practice, with an emphasis on direct clinical applications and current prosthetic technologies.

Dr. Finco directs the Limb Loss and Difference Lab, where her research focuses on improving prosthetic care for people with limb loss (i.e. amputation etiology) and limb difference (i.e. congenital etiology).

Her primary research directions are: 1) fall risk screening, 2) musculoskeletal health, and 3) perspectives on ethics, research, and technology. She has used wearable sensors (inertial measurement units and pressure insoles), survey and focus group data collection, anatomical imaging, clinical outcome measures, and motion capture. She has mentored a wide variety of students in clinical research, secured competitive funding, published manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, and has been invited to speak at numerous national conferences.

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Funding

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Selected Publications

For a full list, please visit Google Scholar

• Finco MG, Mir N, Gresham G, Huisingh-Scheetz M. Ethical considerations for digital health technology in older adult care. The Lancet Healthy Longevity. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/S2666-7568(23)00236-2.
• Gavette H, McDonald CL, Kostick-Quenet K, Mullen A, Najafi B, Finco MG. Advances in prosthetic technology: a perspective on ethical considerations for development and clinical translation. Frontiers: Rehabilitation Science. 2024. DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1335966.
• Finco MG & Finnerty C (co-first authors), Ngo W, Menegaz R. Indications of musculoskeletal health in deceased male individuals with lower-limb amputations: comparison to non-amputee and diabetic controls. Scientific Reports. 2023. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34773-w.
• Finco MG, Patterson RM, Moudy SC. A pilot case series to concurrently validate inertial measurement units and motion capture equipment in individuals who use unilateral lower-limb prostheses. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering. 2023. DOI: 10.1177/20556683231182322.
• Finco MG, Sumien N, Moudy SC. Clinical evaluation of fall risk in older individuals who use lower-limb prostheses: a scoping review. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2022. DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18223.
• Finco MG, Menegaz R. Skeletal Asymmetries in Anatomical Donors with Lower-Limb Amputations. PM&R: The Journal of Injury, Function, and Rehabilitation. 2022. DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.12599
• Finco MG, Moudy SC, Patterson RM. Normalization of kinematic walking symmetry data to inform clinical considerations for individuals who use lower-limb prostheses. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics. 2022. DOI: 10.1097/JPO.0000000000000435.
• Finco MG & Kim S (co-first authors), Ngo W, Menegaz R. A review of musculoskeletal adaptations in individuals following major lower-limb amputation. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. 2022. PMC9186459