Gary Guerra, Ph.D. - St. Mary's University

Departments

Department of Exercise and Sport Science

Programs

Exercise and Sport Science

Education

Ph.D. Loma Linda University

M.S. Texas A&M University – San Antonio

Post-Graduate Certificate Prosthetics, California State University Dominguez Hills

B.S. Texas A&M University – San Antonio

Research Interests

Sustainable development in prosthetics and orthotics

Outcome measurement in prosthetics and orthotics

Biography

Gary Guerra, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at St. Mary’s University. He joined St. Mary’s in 2022 after working with the Sirindhorn School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital at Mahidol University in Thailand.

Guerra received his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science from Loma Linda University in 2017 and Master’s and Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University – San Antonio. He received his post-graduate certificate in prosthetics from California State University Dominguez Hills Orthotics and Prosthetics Program.

Guerra now teaches and advises students in the Exercise and Sport Science Department. He has trained prosthetic and orthotic clinicians from the United States but also Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Sudan, Libya and Palestine. Guerra is committed to maintaining and developing ongoing international collaborations.

Guerra and his colleagues have worked to elevate the standard of prosthetics and orthotics care in resource-limited environments, with a focus on sustainable development of medical devices. Before pursuing his graduate studies, Guerra was a licensed prosthetist and clinical educator with Specialty Prosthetics and Orthotics of Texas. He is a member of the Exceed Research Network (ERN), an international organization that works to equip, enable and empower persons with disabilities by offering affordable rehabilitation services, clinician training and research. He enjoys mentoring and preparing students for careers in the Exercise and Sport Sciences as well as careers in rehabilitation fields.

Selected Publications

Samala, M., Rattanakoch, J., Guerra, G. et al. A Dataset of Optical Camera and IMU Sensor Derived Kinematics of Thirty Transtibial Prosthesis Wearers. Sci Data, 2024, 11, 92.

Siriwatsopon, Juthamas; Samala, Manunchaya; Guerra, Gary; Kongsatan, Pattaraporn; Rayothee, Pitchaya. Development of a Proposed Organizational Framework for Undergraduate Research Training in Prosthetics and Orthotics Education. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 2024, 48(3), 358-366.

Khaing, May Su; Samala, Manunchaya; Guerra, Gary; Wisessint, Attaporn. Design and Mechanical Testing of an Adjustable Posterior Leaf Spring Ankle-Foot Orthosis for Patients with Drop Foot. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 2024, 48(1), 39-45.

Miyata, Y., Sasaki, K., Guerra, G., Dacharux, W., & Chaisumritchoke, S. The AERO Prosthetic Liner: Socket Pressure Distribution, Comfort and Material Composition. Annals of Medicine, 2024, 56(1).

Guerra, G.; Smith, J.D.; Yoon, E.-J. The Relationship between Balance Confidence and Center of Pressure in Lower-Limb Prosthesis Users. Biomechanics, 2023, 3, 561-570.

Sutthison, N., Sasaki, K., Guerra, G., Chaisumritchoke, S., Niamsang, W., & Charatrungolan, T. Evaluation of an Interphalangeal-Joint Prosthetic Hand in Trans-Radial Prosthesis Users. Annals of Medicine, 2023, 55(1), 447–455.

Miyata Y, Sasaki K, Guerra G, Dacharux W, Chaiwan P. Evaluating Feasibility and Durability of the AERO Prosthetic Liner in Transtibial Prosthetic Users. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2023, 6(1), 5.

Smith JD, Guerra G, Symons TB, Kwon EH, Yoon EJ. Comparison of Body Composition Methods for Estimating Body Fat Percentage in Lower Limb Prosthesis Users. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2023, 6(1), 2.

Bajracharya AR, Seng-iad S, Sasaki K, Guerra G. Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Nepali Version of the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility Short-Form (PLUS-M™/Nepali-12SF) in Lower Limb Prosthesis Users. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2023, 6(1), 1.

Sasaki, K.; Guerra, G.; Lei Phyu, W.; Chaisumritchoke, S.; Sutdet, P.; Kaewtip, S. Assessment of Socket Pressure during Walking in Rapid Fit Prosthetic Sockets. Sensors (Basel). 2022, 22.

Miyata, Y.; Sasaki, K.; Guerra, G.; Rattanakoch, J. Sustainable, Affordable and Functional: Reimagining Prosthetic Liners in Resource Limited Environments. Disabil. Rehabil, 2022, 44, 2941–2947.

Guerra, G.; Smith, J.D. Correlates of Balance and Aerobic Indices in Lower-Limb Prostheses Users on Arm Crank Exercise. Sensors (Basel). 2021, 21.

Smith, J.D.; Guerra, G. Quantifying Step Count and Oxygen Consumption with Portable Technology during the 2-Minute Walk Test in People with Lower Limb Amputation. Sensors 2021, 21, 1–13.

Le, H.; Guerra, G.; Sasaki, K.; Phongphibool, S.; Smith, J.D.; Wongpanya, J.; Rakbanboong, T.; Siriwatsopon, J. Oxygen Consumption and Speed Performance of a Runner with Amputation Wearing an Elevated Vacuum Running Prosthesis. JPO J. Prosthetics Orthot, 2021, 33, 73–79.

Lynn, K.Z.; Samala, M.; Guerra, G.; Kerdsomnuek, P. The Effects of Rigid Ankle-Foot Orthosis with Lateral Flare and Shoe Modification on Stability of Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study. In Proceedings of the BMEiCON 2021 – 13th Biomedical Engineering International Conference, 2021.

Chan, S.; Sasaki, K.; Guerra, G.; Poonsiri, J.; Charatrungolan, T. Development of an Affordable Prosthetic Finger from Natural Rubber: A Pilot Study. In Proceedings of the BMEiCON 2021 – 13th Biomedical Engineering International Conference, 2021.

Aye, T.C.; Samala, M.; Guerra, G. Single-Case Study: Biomechanical Evaluation of a Modified Clamshell Prosthesis in the Chopart Amputee. In Proceedings of the BMEiCON 2021 – 13th Biomedical Engineering International Conference; 2021.

Khaing, M.S.; Samala, M.; Guerra, G.; Wisessint, A. Design and Static Loading Test of AFOs to Control Foot Drop among Patients with Peroneal Nerve Injury. In Proceedings of the BMEiCON 2021 – 13th Biomedical Engineering International Conference, 2021.

Smith, J.D.; Guerra, G.; Burkholder, B.G. The Validity and Accuracy of Wrist-Worn Activity Monitors in Lower-Limb Prosthesis Users. Disabil. Rehabil. 2020, 42, 3182–3188.

Samala, M.; Rowe, P.; Rattanakoch, J.; Guerra, G. A Comparison of the Conventional PiG Marker Method Versus a Cluster-Based Model When Recording Gait Kinematics in Trans-Tibial Prosthesis Users and the Implications for Future IMU Gait Analysis. Sensors 2020, 20, 1255.

Sasaki, K.; Guerra, G.; Rattanakoch, J.; Miyata, Y.; Suntharalingam, S. Sustainable Development: A Below-Knee Prostheses Liner for Resource Limited Environments. J. Med. Device. 2020, 14.

Söderberg, B.; Fagerstrom, T.; Permpool, K.; Phaipool, S.;Orthot. J, Guerra, G. The SÖderberg Socket 2.0: A Technical Note. Can. Prosthetics, 2019, 2.

Textbook

Fundamental Biomechanics, Yamamoto Sumiko, Ishii Shinichirou, Yoshihiro Ehara, Akouetevi Aduayom-Ahego, Sarah R. Chang, Gary Guerra