Faculty Profile

Ian Rice, Ph.D., MSOT is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology in the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. He is an affiliate at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology Biomedical Imaging Center, and director of special projects in the department of Health and Kinesiology. Dr Rice’s research interests include the investigation of technological and educational strategies to maximize health and QOL in mobility device users through prevention and mitigation of secondary health complications. Guided by principles in occupational therapy, ergonomics and biomechanics, Dr. Rice has developed expertise investigating upper limb preservation strategies during activities like wheelchair propulsion, transferring, and adapted sports while accounting for the influence of personal factors and the ambient conditions in which these activities occur. Dr. Rice’s research is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He received a PhD in Rehabilitation Science and Technology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010 under the direction of Michael Boninger and a M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis 2002. In addition, Dr. Rice is a two-time Paralympian in the sport of wheelchair racing (2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens) and has competed in over 50 marathons across the world.