October 1, 2026
Story by Ryan Gauthier, rjgauthier@health.missouri.edu
For individuals with spinal cord injuries, rehabilitation doesn’t end when they leave the hospital. Managing long-term health challenges and maintaining independence can be a lifelong process.
That transition is at the core of a research project led by Bridget Kraus, an assistant professor with the Mizzou Department of Occupational Therapy, that was recently funded through the Career Advancement and Development in Rehabilitation Research (CADRRE) K12 program.
This highly competitive career development award supports early-career investigators as they build independent research programs. Kraus’ selection places her among a national cohort of researchers recognized for their productivity and potential to become leaders in rehabilitation science.
“People with spinal cord injury used to spend months in rehabilitation; now they are fortunate to get weeks,” Kraus said. “These short hospital stays contribute to a critical gap when they return home to know how to manage their injury and health. My work aims to stand in that gap through a virtual program called the Spinal Cord Self-Management, or SCISM, program.”
Kraus’ research focuses on improving long-term outcomes for people with spinal cord injuries through community-based rehabilitation, self-management strategies and technology-enabled interventions. She hopes to reduce preventable secondary health conditions and keep people active in their communities after formal rehabilitation services end.
“To do this work through the support of CADRRE is an invaluable opportunity,” Kraus said. “Programs like CADRRE are uniquely positioned to create sustainable and supportive networks for rehabilitation researchers that can positively shape and influence an entire career. I am eager to see what we can achieve together through this mentorship and collaboration to further the field of rehabilitation science and patient outcomes.”
Through CADRRE, Kraus will receive individualized mentorship and advanced training in rehabilitation research, clinical trial design and implementation science. The program is funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research and led by the University of Florida and the University of Southern California.
Kraus is a three-time graduate of Mizzou, having earned a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and PhD from the university. She joined the College of Health Sciences as a faculty member in 2025.
