Justin Z Laferrier (he/him)
Associate Professor College of Health & Wellness Physical Therapy Providence
Biography and Expertise
Justin Z. Laferrier PT, Ph.D., NCS, OCS, SCS, ATP, CSCS, AIB-VR is the Associate Director and Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Department at Johnson & Wales University where his academic focus and expertise is in Biomechanics, Poly-trauma and Amputation Rehabilitation, Adaptive Sport, Exercise, and Recreation (SER), Rehabilitation Engineering, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and Diagnostic Imaging. He holds three Board-Certified Specialist certifications in Neurology, Orthopedics, and Sports from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Laferrier is also a Certified Assistive Technology Professional from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is also a Certified Specialist in Vestibular Rehabilitation from the American Institute of Balance (AIB).
Laferrier has Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biology and Psychology, an MSPT in Physical Therapy from the University of Rhode Island, and a PhD in Rehabilitation Science and Technology from the University of Pittsburgh. Laferrier is a veteran of the US Marines and US Army and while in the Army served as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of physical therapy for the Polytrauma and Amputee Centers for Excellence in Washington D.C. and San Antonio TX. He has worked all over the world evaluating and treating some of the most severe and complex conditions found today. He currently sees patients in addition to his academic duties at Johnson & Wales University. His scholarly products include over 20 peer-reviewed publications, national and international presentations, and book chapters.
Education
PhD
University of Pittsburgh
MS
University of Rhode Island
BA
University of Rhode Island
Master of Musculoskeletal Imaging
Redifine
Blood Flow Restriction
Owens Recovery Science
LSVT Big
LSVT Global
Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist
American Institute of Balance
Licensed Physical Therapist
American Physical Therapy Association
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics
American Physical Therapy Association
Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurology
American Physical Therapy Association
Assistive Technology Professional
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America
Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports
American Physical Therapy Association
Licensed Physical Therapist
American Physical Therapy Association
Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics
American Physical Therapy Association
Teaching excellence every year from 2014-2018 University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
Cooper-Johnson Outstanding Paper Award
University of Pittsburgh
Outstanding Alumni Award
University of Rhode Island
Q & A With Justin Laferrier (Magazine)
JWU Magazine
May 6, 2025
https://www.jwu.edu/news/stories/magazine/2025/spring/q-a-with-justin-laferrier/index.html
Benefits of adaptive sports participation for veterans with disabilities (Magazine)
VA/ DAV News
April, 2025
New Adaptive Sports Program at JWU (Other)
Johnson and Wales Podcast
March 15, 2023
For disabled vets, playing team sports boosts quality of life (Internet)
Healthy Living Magazine
March 17, 2015
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disabled-vets-sports-idUSKBN0MN2HI20150327/
“Science of the Summer Olympics: The Strength and Flexibility of Oscar Pistorius” (TV)
NBC
2012
http://science360.gov/obj/video/d2783a15-2880-4c1d-b6b4-d795c129aae2/science-summer-olympics-strength-flexibility-oscar-pistorius
How an ‘Anti-Gravity Treadmill’ Helps Olympic Runners Recover from Injuries (TV)
NBC Learn
August 10, 2012
https://www.livescience.com/22279-running-joint-impact-olympics-video.html
Blood Brothers: Among the Soldiers of Ward 57 (Other)
Holt Paperbacks
September 8, 2007
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Brothers-Among-Soldiers-Ward/dp/0805086609
HOUSE CALL WITH DR. SANJAY GUPTA – Treating Soldiers Wounded In Iraq War (TV)
CNN
July, 2006
Polytrauma Rehabilitation (Magazine)
Military Officer Magazine
2005
Trials and Tribulations of Long Term Care (Magazine)
Physical Therapy Magazine
2005
TECHNOLOGY GIVES HOPE TO IRAQ WAR AMPUTEE (Internet)
Daily Press
August 9, 2004
https://www.dailypress.com/2004/08/09/technology-gives-hope-to-iraq-war-amputee/
The Casualty (Magazine)
The New Yoker
February 29, 2004
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/03/08/the-casualty
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America
Amputee Coalition of America
American Physical Therapy Association
Laferrier, J.
Major Limb Prosthetic Devices
Laferrier, J.
Orthotic Devices
Laferrier, J. & Mederios, T. & Shin, K. & Valdes, S. & Furmanek, M.
REPAIR-EDS: Rehabilitation Enhanced by Partial Arterial Inflow Restriction (REPAIR) in Eheler-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Patients
Journal of Rehabilitation Practices and Research
5
1
Laferrier, J.
Retrun to Sport, Exercise, and Recreation (SER) Following Amputation
Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports
1-10
Laferrier, J.
Understanding Travel Considerations and Barriers for People with Disabilities to Using Current Modes of Transportation Through Journey Mapping
Transportation Research Record
Laferrier, J.
Physical Therapy Management of Adult Lower-Limb Amputees
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Laferrier, J. & Muldowney, K. & Muldowney, K.
A Novel Exercise Protocol for Individuals with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: A Case Report
Journal of Novel Physiotherapies
08
02
Laferrier, J. & Groff, A. & Hale, S. & Sprunger, N.
A Review of Commonly Used Prosthetic Feet for Developing Countries: A Call for Research and Development
Journal of Novel Physiotherapies
08
01
Peterson, S. & Laferrier, J. & Koontz, A. & Wang, H. & Hannan, M. & Cooper, R.
Psychological strategies of Veterans and service members who participate in organized sports
Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health
3
2
42-52
Laferrier, J.
Investigation of the Impact of Sports participation on Psychosocial Outcomes in individuals with Disabilities. A Prospective Longitudinal Study.
Journal of Novel Physiotherapies
7
5
1-12
Laferrier, J. & Teodorski, E. & Sprunger, N. & Cooper, R. & Schmeler, M.
Investigation of the Impact of Sports, Exercise and Recreation (ser) Participation on Psychosocial Outcomes in a Population of Veterans with Disabilities Using the Sports Outcome Research Tool and Comprehensive Uniform Survey (Sportacus). A Longitudinal Study
Journal of Novel Physiotherapies
07
05
Laferrier, J.
Psychological Strategies of Veterans Who Participate in Organized Sports
Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health
3
2
1-27
Laferrier, J. & Teodorski, E. & Cooper, R.
Investigation of the Impact of Sports, Exercise, and Recreation Participation on Psychosocial Outcomes in a Population of Veterans with Disabilities
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
94
12
1026-1034
Laferrier, J.
Living Life to the fullest with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Outskirts Press
Laferrier, J.
The Role of Strength and Power During Performance of High Intensity Military Tasks Under Heavy Load Carriage.
The US Army Medical Department Journal
3-11
Gaunaurd, I. & Roach, K. & Raya, M. & Hooper, R. & Linberg, A. & Laferrier, J. & Campbell, S. & Scoville, C. & Gailey, R.
Factors related to high-level mobility in male servicemembers with traumatic lower-limb loss
Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
50
7
969-984
Laferrier, J.
Variables That Predict High-level Mobility, as measured by the Comprehensive High-Level Activity Mobility Predictor (CHAMP) Performance, in Service Members with Traumatic Lower Limb Loss.
Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
50
7
969-984
Laferrier, J.
Evaluation of a Highly Adjustable Throwing Chair for People with Disabilities
Journal of Assistive Technology
Laferrier, J.
Utilization of prostheses and mobility related assistive technology (MAT) among Service members and Veterans from Vietnam and OIF/OEF.
Journal of Prosthetics & Orthotics
9
3
1-9
Sprunger, N. & Laferrier, J. & Collins, D. & Cooper, R.
Utilization of Prostheses and Mobility-Related Assistive Technology Among Service Members and Veterans From Vietnam and Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom
JPO Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics
24
3
144-152
Laferrier, J. & Rice, I. & pearlman, J. & Sporner, M. & Cooper, R. & Liu, T. & Cooper, R.
Technology to improve sports performance in wheelchair sports
Sports Technology
5
1-2
4-19
Mason, Z. & Pearlman, J. & Cooper, R. & Laferrier, J.
Comparison of prosthetic feet prescribed to active individuals using ISO standards
Prosthetics & Orthotics International
35
4
418-424
Laferrier, J.
Assistive Technology, Accessibility, and Universal Design
Wiley and Blackwell
Laferrier, J.
Performance Determining Factors in Paralympic Sport Based on Biomechanical and Ergonomic Principles
Wiley and Blackwell
Laferrier, J. & McFarland, L. & Boninger, M. & Cooper, R. & Reiber, G.
Wheeled mobility: Factors influencing mobility and assistive technology in veterans and servicemembers with major traumatic limb loss from Vietnam war and OIF/OEF conflicts
The Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
47
4
349
Liu, H. & Rice, I. & Laferrier, J. & Cooper, R. & Boninger, M. & Cooper, R.
Sport Chair Set-Up and Selection
Human Kinetics
29-46
Laferrier, J. & Gailey, R.
Advances in Lower-limb Prosthetic Technology
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America
21
1
87-110
The Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Training for Individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Oral Presentation
Future of Preventative Medicine and Public Health Annual Conference
Peers Alley
Conference Center
Rome
Italy
Design and Development of A Functional Prosthetic Foot for Low Resource Countries
Poster
Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Annual Conference 2026
Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)
Conference Center
Orlando
FL
United States
Development of a Durable, Load Variable, Energy Storage and Return Prosthetic Foot for Low Resource Countries
Oral Presentation
Future of Preventative Medicine and Public Health 2025
Peers Alley
Hotel
London
United Kingdom
Development of Lower Extremity Prosthetic Technology for Low Resource Countries
Oral Presentation
American Physical Therapy Association (RIAPTA) Annual Conference,
Rhode Island American physical Therapy Association
Providence
RI
United States
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR). A potential Game Changer for Individuals with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
Oral Presentation
Johnson & Wales University Scholarship and Best Practices EXPO
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
RI
United States
Development of a Low-Cost, Durable, and Dynamic Prosthetic Foot
Oral Presentation
Johnson & Wales University Scholarship and Best Practices EXPO
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
RI
United States
Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) for Individuals with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
Poster
Combined Sections Meeting
American Physical Therapy Association
Convention Center
Boston
MA
United States
Physical Therapists Appropriately Refer for Radiographs
Poster
Combined Section Meeting
American Physical Therapy Association
Conference Center
Boston
MA
Development of a Functional and Durable Prosthetic Foot for Low Income Countries / Innovation Area Presentations
Oral Presentation
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) Annual Conference
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE)
Convention Center
Paris
France
Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Radiology
Lecture
Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Radiology
American Physical Therapy Association – Rhode Island Chapter
New England Institute of Technology
East Greenwhich
RI
United States
Special Topics in Adaptive Sport
Lecture
Johnson and Wales
Wildcat Center
Providence
RI
United States
Basics of Participation and Volunteerism in Adaptive Sports, Exercise and Recreation (ASER),
Lecture
Providence
RI
United States
A Multifactorial Analysis of Physical Therapist Practitioners Ordering Radiographs
Poster
Combined Sections Meeting
American Physical Therapy Association
Conference Center
San Diego
CA
Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction in Individuals with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
Poster
Combined Sections Meeting
American Physical Therapy Association
San Diego
CA
United States
Lower Extremity Prosthetic Design for Developing Countries, Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (RESNA)
Oral Presentation
Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (RESNA) Annual Conference
Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (RESNA)
Virtual
On line
United States
Benefits of Adaptive Sports, Exercise, and Recreation (ASER) for Individuals with Disabilities
Oral Presentation
Lakeshore Foundation
Birmingham
AL
Benefits of Adaptive Sports, Exercise, and Recreation (ASER) for Individuals with Disabilities
Lecture
Seminar Series
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University
Birmingham
AL
United States