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About Guilherme M. Cesar, PhD, PT

Guilherme (Gui) M. Cesar, PhD, PT is a rehabilitation researcher who has used his biomechanics background to work with distinct populations spanning from skillful athletes to children with neurologic disabilities. Dr. Cesar has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Physical Therapy. He earned his PhD in Biokinesiology from the University of Southern California where, under the co-mentorship of Susan M. Sigward, PhD, PT, ATC and James Gordon, EdD, PT, FAPTA, he investigated the locomotor strategies children employ to control forward momentum during running gait termination. Dr. Cesar expanded his research with young adults during his postdoctoral fellowship at the Nebraska Athletic Performance Laboratory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln under the supervision of Judith M. Burnfield, PhD, PT. During his postdoctoral work, Dr. Cesar also worked closely with the Athletic Medicine staff, providing biomechanical approaches to guide safe return to sport after lower extremity injuries, a task familiar to him given his previous experience as a professional basketball athlete. Following, Dr. Cesar furthered his research experience working as the Assistant Research Director of the Movement and Neurosciences Center at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals. Dr. Cesar's research aims to guide understanding of how balance control can contribute to movement efficiency, enhanced mobility, and participation. In addition to his research, Dr. Cesar is passionate about education. He has taught graduate and undergraduate coursework in anatomy and anatomy-related courses, human gait, biomechanics, kinesiology, physical rehabilitation, and research methodology.

Positions

Present Assistant Professor, University of North Florida Department of Physical Therapy, Brooks College of Health
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2016 - 2022 Assistant Research Director of the Movement and Neurosciences Center, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, Lincoln, NE ‐ Institute for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering
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2021 Adjunct Faculty Member, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD ‐ Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences
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2020 Adjunct Faculty Member, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE ‐ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine
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2015 - 2015 Coordinator, Sports Biomechanics Research Volunteer Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE ‐ Nebraska Athletic Performance Laboratory
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2009 - 2014 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA ‐ Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
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2012 - 2013 Research assistant, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA ‐ Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
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2009 - 2009 Instructor of Record. Biological Dysfunctions, Physical Activity and Health, University Centro Universitario Claretiano, Batatais, SP, Brazil ‐ Department of Physical Education
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2007 - 2009 Physical Therapy Orthopedic Private Practice, Mogi das Cruzes, Sp, Brazil
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2004 - 2006 Undergraduate teaching assistant, Kinesiology, University of Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil ‐ Department of Physical Therapy
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2001 - 2004 Professional Basketball Athlete, Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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1994 - 1996 Professional Basketball Athlete, Valtra Tratores, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, Brazil
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1994 - 1996 Professional Basketball Athlete, Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Curriculum Vitae



Grants

2017 - 2019 Modular Self-Reconfigurable Robot for Autonomous Rehabilitation Assistance in Daily Living Tasks for Spinal Cord Injury Patients.
University of Nebraska Collaboration Initiative Seed Grant - 10-8878
Role: Research Scientist
$150,000
2017 - 2018 Pediatric ICARE Fitness Project and Research
Barbara Gard (Family Foundation)
Role: Research team member
$10,000
2013 - 2017 A Novel Pediatric Gait Rehabilitation Device.
National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. - 1R21HD074820
Role: Research Scientist
$398,344
2013 - 2016 Development of a Pediatric Intelligently Controlled Assistive Rehabilitation Elliptical (Pedi ICARE) Training System to Promote Walking and Fitness in Children with Physical Limitations.
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, Administration for Community Living - 90IF0060
Role: Research Scientist
$606,000
2012 - 2013 Development of Postural Strategies in Children during Deceleration of Running
North American Society for the Psychology of Sports and Physical Activity, NASPSPA
$2,000
2012 - 2013 The Development of Postural Strategies in Children
James H. Zumberg Research and Innovation Fund
Role: Research Scientist
$27,000
2007 - 2009 Menstrual Cycle Influence on Knee Electromyographic Activity and Kinematics during the Single Leg Drop Landing.
Foundation of Assistance in Research from the State of São Paulo (FAPESP)
$18,135
2005 - 2006 Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Pain and Temporomandibular Discomfort and the Quality of Life of an Elderly Population
Undergraduate Project Scientific Research Grant, Institutional Program of Scientific Initiation Scholarships / National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (PIBIC/CNPq)
$2,400
2004 - 2005 Pain and Injury Prevalence in Young Basketball Athletes and Quality of Life Assessment
Undergraduate Project Scientific Research Grant, Institutional Program of Scientific Initiation Scholarships / National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (PIBIC/CNPq)
$2,400
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Honors and Awards

  • 2017: Training in Grantsmanship for Rehabilitations Research (TIGRR) Workshop, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research at NIH, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
  • 2012: Award for Excellence in Teaching in the category of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, academic year 2012-2013. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2006: Honorable Mention. Poster presentation at the III International Dental Congress, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
  • 2001: Outstanding Senior Sports Medicine Student Award, Christian Heritage College, San Diego, CA.
  • 2000-2001: National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Scholar-Athlete Award
  • 2001-2001: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award
  • 2001: Christian Heritage College Athletic Program Senior Award, San Diego, CA.
  • 1999-2001: All-Golden State Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete Award

Education

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2015 - 2015 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln ‐ Department of Athletics
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2009 - 2014 PhD, University of Southern California ‐ Biokinesiology
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2007 - 2008 M.S., Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil ‐ Master of Science in Physical Therapy
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2004 - 2006 B.S, University of Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, Brazil ‐ Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy
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1999 - 2001 B.S., Christian Heritage College, San Diego, CA ‐ Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
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1997 - 1999 A.A.S, Grossmont Community College, San Diego, CA
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Articles (4)

Chapters (2)

Peer-Reviewed Articles (40)