Ashley Rae Watamura

Ashley Rae Watamura is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Western Carolina University's College of Health and Human Sciences. Her primary roles include teaching Neuroscience, co-teaching Neuromuscular courses, and overseeing the Integrated Clinical Experience program in Neurologic Physical Therapy. She also serves as Assistant Department Head and directs the student-run Mountain Area Pro Bono Health Services (MAPHealth). Dr. Watamura holds a DPT from the Medical University of South Carolina and a PhD (2024) focusing on motor learning post-stroke. Her research emphasizes attentional focus strategies to enhance motor recovery in stroke patients, with publications spanning 2017–2023. She maintains a clinical practice in outpatient neurologic physical therapy.

Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Medical University of South Carolina. PhD research (completed 2024) investigated focus of attention's effects on sit-to-stand tasks post-stroke.

Research Interests: Dr. Watamura’s work centers on optimizing motor learning through attentional strategies for individuals post-stroke. Her studies explore how external/internal focus techniques improve seated weight shifting, trunk control, and limb use during functional tasks like sit-to-stand. This research aims to inform evidence-based clinical interventions.

Publications & Presentations: Her articles and conference presentations consistently address attentional focus in stroke rehabilitation, with contributions to motor control analysis tools (e.g., Body Align Pro) and quality improvement in pro bono healthcare services.

Advising & Leadership: As Assistant Department Head, she oversees graduate assistant advising. MAPHealth, her initiative, provides free physical therapy services to underserved populations, emphasizing continuous quality improvement.

Labs/Teams: Director of MAPHealth, integrating student clinical training with community service.