Louisa A Summers
(Lou EE Za)
Connect
859-562-0156LASU229@uky.edu
Positions
- Research Associate Clinical II
College Unit(s)
Other Affiliation(s)
- Internal Medicine - Pulmonary
Biography and Education
Biography
- I am an exercise scientist specializing in clinical and translational research on physical function, physical activity, and recovery across the lifespan. My work spans community, clinical, and academic medical settings and focuses on functional outcomes after acute and critical illness, physical activity assessment in older adults and individuals with chronic conditions, and patient-centered recovery. I am committed to ethical, interdisciplinary research that translates exercise science into meaningful improvements in function, quality of life, and long-term health outcomes for people of all abilities.
Education
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Ph.D.- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
Movement Studies in Disability – Exercise Physiology and Public Health
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M.A. - The University of the Pacific, Stockton, California.
Sport Sciences
B.A. - The University of the Pacific, Stockton, California
Sports Medicine.
Research
My recent research focuses on understanding and improving recovery trajectories following acute and critical illness, with emphasis on functional outcomes, physical activity, and patient-centered recovery across the lifespan. I integrate clinical, behavioral, and functional measures to inform rehabilitation strategies and health system– and community-based interventions that promote long-term recovery and quality of life.In parallel, my work advances clinical assessment of physical activity and functional performance in older adults and individuals with chronic conditions, supporting integration of movement-based interventions into routine care. Across my career, I have secured and managed $308,669+ in external funding across multiple sponsors, reflecting a sustained commitment to translational science, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical research conduct.
Selected Publications
González-Seguel F, Summers LA, Fresenko LE, Long DE, Scott LN, Slone SA, Shankara Bhaktula S, Wen Y, Miller BF, Morris PE, Salyer A, Kalema AG, Montgomery-Yates AA, Dupont-Versteegden EE, and Mayer KP. Trajectories of Recovery after ACutE and cRitical illness (TRACER): a prospective observational study protocol. BMJ Open. 2025;0:e108885. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-108885.
Anna G. Kalema, MD; Felipe González-Seguel, PT; Louisa A. Summers, PhD; Esther E. Dupont-Versteegden, PhD; Ashley A. Montgomery-Yates, MD; Kirby P. Mayer, PT, DPT, PhD. When Disaster Strikes: The Impact of Natural Disasters and Personal Crises on Long-Term ICU Recovery Trials. ATS White paper. 2025.
Stoutenberg M, Rogers M, Denison P, Schlicht J, Weitzel K, Ory M, Kellar G, Summers L, Wingood M. Assessing older adult physical activity levels in clinical settings: The modified PAVS for older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2025 Jan;73(1):266-76. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.19202