College of Graduate Studies

Maria Mousa

Cairo, Egypt

College:

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Degree Program:

Physical Therapy DPT

Research Focus:

The use of tensiomyography in evaluating neuromuscular activation and the effect of quadriceps contractions on neuromuscular activation of the rectus femoris muscle in patients who are in the acute phase of recovery post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

When deciding where to pursue her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Maria Mousa chose to attend UCF due to the elite experience offered to the students in the program. She loves the culture of the UCF community; they feel like family to her. “When I look back, I know I made the right decision, and I always say choosing to attend UCF for my DPT degree is the second best choice I have made in life, the first being choosing to pursue a career as a Doctor of Physical Therapy,” she says.

During her time at UCF, Mousa received the Outstanding Examiner award. Before going out onto their first clinical rotation and treating real patients, the students enter an integrations class that allows them to apply all the knowledge they have learned to examine and treat mock patients. Each of these classes is led and evaluated by UCF faculty and adjuncts. At the end of the semester, six to eight students are nominated, with one student selected to receive this award. Surrounded by brilliant cohort, Mousa is honored to have received this award.

Her research focuses on the use of tensiomyography in evaluating the effectiveness of sequential quadriceps contractions for neuromuscular activation of the rectus femoris 0-5 weeks post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Specifically, the group studies the use of tensiomyography in evaluating neuromuscular activation, and the effect of quadriceps contractions on neuromuscular activation of the rectus femoris muscle in patients who are in the acute phase of recovery, post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Currently, they are in the data collection process of their study.

When not in the lab or the classroom, Mousa is helping the community through service events that she helps to put on through the UCF DPT program. “Since as long as I can remember, community service has been something I hold near and dear to my heart. Since elementary school, my parents instilled in me the desire to give back whenever I can,” she says. Mousa is one of the Community Service Officers for the UCF DPT program, where they focus on gaging current students’ interests regarding volunteer opportunities. The organization also reaches out to existing community partners and establishes connections with new organizations to put together events where students can get involved.

After graduation, Mousa hopes to work with patients with neurological and orthopedic disorders. Eventually, she looks forward to opening her own clinic and pursuing an MBA degree.