Dr. Teresa Chen has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Ithaca College since 2020. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Physiology from the University of Oregon, where she focused on biomechanics and motor control. Prior to her doctoral studies, Dr. Chen worked with elite Olympic weightlifters as a physical therapist, providing injury prevention, rehabilitation, and international competition support.
Her teaching interests include movement science, pathokinesiology, and therapeutic exercise, with a growing focus on integrating artificial intelligence into physical therapy education. As a first-generation college student, Dr. Chen is committed to inclusive, student-centered learning environments that emphasize equity, belonging, and individualized growth. She brings over nine years of diverse teaching experience across classrooms, clinics, and labs.
Dr. Chen’s research explores mobility impairments across the lifespan, particularly age-related changes in cognitive-motor interactions, lower extremity biomechanics, and pediatric gait and foot development. She also mentors student-led projects on movement analysis using digital media and emerging technology.
Outside of academia, Dr. Chen enjoys weightlifting, hiking, running, exploring waterfalls, and discovering local food spots.