Bridget Kraus

Bridget Kraus

PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Occupational Therapy

email comparatob@health.missouri.edu

phone 573-882-8403

public LinkedIn

Educational background

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship- University of Missouri and Washington University in St. Louis 
  • PhD- 2024, University of Missouri
  • MS- 2018, University of Missouri
  • BS- 2016, University of Missouri

Research Summary

Dr. Kraus’s research centers on mitigating the impact of neurological injuries, such as spinal cord injury, on functional abilities, overall health, and well-being. This work emphasizes reducing secondary health conditions and advancing health outcomes through the design and application of targeted interventions, innovative rehabilitation technologies, and implementation science methodologies.

Research Interests

Dr. Kraus’s primary focus is on neurological recovery and enhancing health outcomes for individuals with acquired neurological conditions, such as spinal cord injury. The overarching goal is to advance rehabilitation practices and improve quality of life for persons with neurological diagnoses through the development of effective interventions, integration of assistive rehabilitation technologies, and application of implementation science to bridge research into practice. Expanding this focus, Dr. Kraus is also investigating how occupational therapy practitioners can aid individuals navigating grief and/or bereavement following acquired disability, or loss, to support wellbeing through engagement in meaningful everyday activities and occupations.

Professional Memberships and Service

  • OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research- Editorial Board Fellow and Social Media Manager
  • Mizzou Postdoctoral Association- Board Member, Communications and Marketing Chair
  • Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center- Spinal Cord Injury Ambassador
  • American Occupational Therapy Association
  • American Occupational Therapy Foundation
  • American Spinal Cord Injury Professionals
  • American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

Awards and Honors

  • 2024 Mizzou Alumni Association Mizzou 18 Award

Selected publications

  • Kraus, B., & Wolf, T. J. (2024). The Spinal Cord Injury Self-Management Program: A Pilot. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 15394492241271173. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492241271173
  • Kraus, B., Lakin, A., & Sherbrooke, N. (2024). “The Other Thousand Hours”: A Spinal Cord Injury Self-Management Program Qualitative Analysis. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 15394492241260648.
  • Proffitt, R., Kraus, B., Jozkowski, A., Kersey, J., Brick, R., Schwartz, J., Hoyt, C., & Lemoins, S. S. (2024). MeTooOT: Sexual Harassment Experiences of Occupational Therapy Academics and Implications for Rehabilitation Science. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 105(4), e10.
  • Kraus, B., & Wolf, T. J. (2023). Needs Assessment of Self-Management for Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury/Disease. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 15394492231183627.

Other scholarly activities can be viewed on Dr. Kraus’ curriculum vitae upon request.