Scientific Advisory Panel

ARIA's Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) members have graciously made themselves available to assist us with our research efforts to combat the disabling symptoms caused by osteoarthritis. All members are experts in their chosen research and clinical fields, and include orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, exercise physiologists, biologists, epidemiologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. The SAP members assist ARIA researchers in the conduct of high quality publishable osteoarthritis research. Members may serve on ARIA's Institutional Review Board, be co-authors of scientific research manuscripts, or otherwise provide technical assistance.

Nicholas Bellamy, MD, MSc, DSc, MBA, FRACP Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine and Director of the Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine (CONROD) at The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Dr. Bellamy is an expert in rheumatic diseases, including osteoarthritis He has over 145 research studies and over 180 abstracts published in medical journals He has written 10 books and monographs and 30 book chapters on medical topics He developed the widely used WOMAC™ survey tool to measure arthritis symptoms He developed the widely used AUSCAN© survey tool to measure symptoms specific to hand arthritis

Jennifer Dearden, Ed.D. Assistant Professor Health, Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky Dr. Dearden has extensive practical and research experience with different populations, including older adults, in the areas of Health Promotion, Fitness, and Therapeutic Recreation She has taught upper division courses in Planning and Managing Health Promotion Programs, Consumer Health, Use and Abuse of Drugs and Alcohol, The School Health Program, Psychological Health, Tests and Measurements in Physical Education, Evaluations in Heath Education and Health Promotion, Health and Wellness Promotion, Therapeutic Recreation, Youth Organizations, and Family Health. She has taught lower division courses in Nutrition and Physical Fitness, Human Health and Wellness, Concepts of Health and Fitness, Physical Education for Elementary Teachers, Drug Education, First Aid and Safety, Sexuality Education and History and Philosophy of P.E. and Sport She has also taught numerous activity courses, including Senior Fitness, and has been an exercise instructor in many wellness and fitness settings

Robert Donnelly, MD, PhD The Florida Knee and Orthopedic Centers, Clearwater, Florida Dr. Donnelly is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon He earned his PhD in Biochemistry from Cornell University He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UC Davis with a degree in Physics & Chemistry He has assisted ARIA in the development of our research projects since his arrival in Clearwater in 2002, helping to ensure the safety of our protocols Dr. Donnelly has numerous scientific publications to his credit.

Sylvia E Furner, PhD Senior Associate Dean, School of Public Health, University of Illinois – Chicago Dr. Furner's current research involves the study of the interrelationship among morbidity, functional disability, and mortality in older persons, both community-living and institutionalized. She has conducted extensive statistical analyses on the health status, disease prevalence (principally chronic disease), life expectancy, mortality and functional status of the population 65 years of age and over. Further her research interests include the determination of the genetic versus environmental contributions to physical frailty among older adults through the development of statistical models to explain the variation in physical frailty that is due to common genes and or common environment. Her areas of expertise include: Epidemiology, Chronic disease, Functional disability, Statistical analysis, Large dataset analysis and Statistical genetic analysis

Audra Kinsley, OT, CHT University Community Hospital, Tampa, Florida Ms. Kinsley is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist She was instrumental in helping design our first clinical trial of the efficacy & safety of hand exercises for the treatment of hand osteoarthritis

Manuel Probst, Ed.D Associate Professor, Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky Dr. Probst is an Exercise Physiology professor with many publications and presentations to his credit He has worked with ARIA's Director of Exercise Physiology for many years and they have co-authored scientific publications for medical journals He developed an innovative exercise program called Cardio-Pro: A Partner Based Agility/Interval Workout for Low-Risk Cardiac Patients He has many years of practical experience in fitness testing and training with persons of all ages, including older adults

John D. Sandy PhD Associate Professor (Research), Department of Pharmacology, University of South Florida, Shriners Hospital, Tampa Dr. Sandy has been a biochemist for over 40 years and has extensive expertise in osteoarthritis and rheumatic diseases He has published over 80 scientific papers and written 24 book chapters He has earned numerous grants to fund his research over the years His research continues to shed light on the possible biological causes of osteoarthritis

Eric Schweitzer, DPT Physical Therapist, Owner and Director, Premier Physical Therapy, Clearwater, Florida Dr. Schweitzer's clinical specialties in general orthopaedics includes total joint replacement, sports medicine with emphasis on shoulder, elbow, knee, ankle and spine injury, and upper and lower extremity neurodynamics/neural injury He spent 5 years along side some of the country's most highly regarded physicians at a renowned orthopaedic facility in Tampa He has been an adjunct professor in the department of Athletic Training at the University of South Florida. Aside from his academic lecturing, he has taught sports medicine continuing education topics including rehabilitation of the overhead athlete and sports medicine for the primary care physician His expertise in orthopedic and sports physical therapy diagnosis and treatment stems from his manual therapy education, teaching and clinical experience in athletic and orthopaedic rehabilitation, and strong personal interest in upper quadrant injury and rehabilitation. Dr. Schweitzer's clinic is located in a building adjacent to ARIA

Brian L. Tracy, PhD Assistant Professor, Neuromuscular Function Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins Dr. Tracy is a neuromuscular physiologist with expertise in muscle strength and motor control in older adults, especially the steadiness of motor contractions He has 19 scientific articles and 25 abstracts published in the medical literature, in addition to having written several book chapters and reviews He has earned research awards and grants in areas related to aging Dr. Tracy gave expert assistance in the design of the exercise protocol for our hand osteoarthritis study

Frank B. Vasey, M.D Director, Department of Rheumatology, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa Dr. Vasey is a Professor of Medicine at USF and an expert in rheumatic diseases, and has been in practice for over 35 years He has more than 100 published research articles He is a Diplomat, with subspecialty in Rheumatology, of both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Royal College of Physicians in Canada