Frank DiLiberto, PT, PhD

Dr. DiLiberto is an Associate Professor and Director of the Movement Analysis Laboratory in the Department of Physical Therapy. He teaches in the Introduction to Movement, Kinesiology and Motor Control, and Critical Inquiry courses. Dr. DiLiberto is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. He has received funding from the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and Veterans Affairs for his research investigating biomechanics and sensorimotor control in people with foot and ankle pathology and/or diabetes mellitus. 

Research interests

• Biomechanics, muscle performance, rehabilitation, and outcomes in people after total ankle replacement
• Mechanisms, prevention, and treatment of foot pathology and balance in people with diabetes mellitus

Selected Publications and Presentations

• DiLiberto FE, Kamath HER, Olson ML, Cherchi M, Helminski JO, Schubert MC. When, where, and why should we look for vestibular dysfunction in people with diabetes mellitus. Review. Front Rehabil Sci. 2024; 4. doi: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1306010
• DiLiberto FE, Vora AM, Wilson WC, Miller SA, Meardon SA, Haddad SL. Ankle plantar flexor muscle performance and patient reported outcomes in people following total ankle arthroplasty. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2022 Feb;92:105576. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2022.
• DiLiberto FE, Aslan DH, Houck JR, Ho BS, Vora AM, Haddad SL. Overall Health and the Influence of Physical Therapy on Physical Function Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty. Foot Ankle Int. 2020 Nov;41(11):1383-1390. doi: 10.1177/1071100720942473. 
• DiLiberto FE, Nawoczenski DA. Ankle and Midfoot Power During Single-Limb Heel Rise in Healthy Adults. J Appl Biomech. 2019 Nov 6:1-4. doi: 10.1123/jab.2018-0471.
• DiLiberto FE, Baumhauer JF, Nawoczenski DA. The prevention of diabetic foot ulceration: how biomechanical research informs clinical practice. Braz J Phys Ther. 2016 Nov 16;20(5):375-383. doi: 10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0195

Complete list of publications
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/frank.diliberto.2/bibliography/public/

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy in Health Practice Research
  University of Rochester
  Rochester, NY
• Master of Science in Physical Therapy
  Ithaca College
  Rochester, NY
• Bachelor of Science in Clinical Science
  Ithaca College
  Ithaca, NY

Certification

• American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy - Emeritus

Professional Society Membership

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
  • APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists