Laura D. Bilek, PT, PhD

Associate Dean for Research

College of Allied Health Professions
 University of Nebraska Medical Center
984000 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-4000
402-559-6923
Email

Academic Appointments:
 Associate Dean for Research, UNMC, College of Allied Health Professions: 2016-present
Assistant Dean for Research Development, UNMC, College of Allied Health Professions: 2013-2015
Associate Professor, Division of Physical Therapy Education, UNMC: 2013-present
Assistant Professor, Division of Physical Therapy Education, UNMC: 1996-2013
Instructor, Division of Physical Therapy Education, UNMC: 1992-1996

Degrees/Certifications:
 PhD: Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area, UNMC, 1994
BSPT: Division of Physical Therapy Education, UNMC, 1988

Primary Teaching Responsibilities:
 Integumentary Physical Therapy
Differential Diagnosis

Scholarly Activity:
 Research interests: effect of exercise on the immune system and on diseases of aging
Manuscript reviewer for Arthritis Care & Research and Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Publications (last 5 years):
 Bilek LD, Waltman NL, Lappe JM, Kupzyk KA, Mack LR, Cullen DM, Berg K, Langel M, Meisinger M, Portelli-Trinidad A, Lang M. Protocol for a randomized controlled trial to compare bone-loading exercises with risedronate for preventing bone loss in osteopenic postmenopausal women. BMC Women's Health 16:59 (30 Aug 2016). Full text

Hanson, C., Anderson-Berry, A., Hoskins, S., Lyden, E., Bilek, L., Dolphen, T., Hartman, K., Hawkins, M., Fernadnez, C. Vitamin D Status and Associations with Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes in Children Enrolled in a Medical Weight Management Program. Infant, Child and Adolescent Nutrition.6:233-239. 2014

Farrell TL, McGuire TR, Bilek LD, Brusnahan SK, Jackson JD, Lane JT, Garvin KL, O'Kane BJ, Berger AM, Tuljapurkar SR, Kessinger MA, Sharp JG. Changes in the frequencies of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells with age and site. Exp Hematol. 2014 Feb;42(2):146-54.

McGuire, TR, Brusnahan, SK, Bilek, LD, Jackson, JJ, Kessinger, MA, Berger, AM Garvin, KL, O’Kane, BJ Tuljapurkar, SR, Sharp, JG, Inflammation Associated with Obesity: Relationship with Blood and Bone Marrow Endothelial Cells.  Obesity. Nov;19(11):2130-6, 2011.

Buresh, RJ, Berg, K, Hamel, F., Bilek, LD.  Moderate exercise of 120 minutes per week improves aerobic fitness and waist circumference but not insulin sensitivity in persons with elevated fasting glucose. Gazetta Medica Italiana. 170(2): 121 – 128, 2011.

Active Grant Support:
 Co-Primary Investigator Bone Loading exercises Versus Risedronate on Bone Health in Post-Menopausal Women (Grant# 1R01NR015029), funded by the NIH-NINR, September 2014 to June 2019

Service:
 National Osteoporosis Foundation: Research Committee member
American Physical Therapy Association: Geriatric Section member; Oncology Section member
Nebraska Physical Therapy Association