Barbara Wondrasch

FH Prof. Barbara Wondrasch PT PhD is Head of Department and Head of the Institute of Health Sciences at St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, where she also serves as a Member of the College from 2023 to 2026. She leads the Department of Health Sciences and teaches in the Physiotherapy bachelor's program. With extensive clinical experience and academic leadership, she contributes significantly to health sciences education and research in Austria.

Her educational background includes:

• 1993-1996: Academy for Physiotherapy Services at the Vienna General Hospital
• 1996-1999: Training as a sports physiotherapist at the International Academy of Sports Medicine
• 2008-2010: Master's degree in "Evidence-based physiotherapy" at the FH Campus Vienna
• 2010-2015: PhD studies at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (Oslo/NOR)
• University Didactics Certificate from FH St. Pölten

Prof. Wondrasch's research focuses on clinical areas of orthopedics and traumatology, with particular emphasis on osteoarthritis, prevention and health promotion, health literacy, and movement and gait analysis. Her work bridges clinical practice and scientific investigation, developing evidence-based approaches for physiotherapy interventions. She leads several significant research projects including NUMOQUA (Nutrition and exercise to improve quality of life in knee osteoarthritis) and ELSA (Evaluation of simple gait analysis devices), demonstrating her commitment to translating research into practical clinical applications that improve patient outcomes.

Her publication record shows a strong focus on knee osteoarthritis management, with recent work exploring interdisciplinary approaches combining exercise and nutrition. She has developed the GLA:D® program in Austria and conducts rigorous clinical trials like the NUMOQUA study. Her research increasingly incorporates technology, including AI-assisted diagnostics and digital learning tools, while maintaining a strong foundation in biomechanics and clinical outcomes measurement.

Prof. Wondrasch holds significant professional recognition:

• Editor of the journal "physioscience"
• Reviewer for multiple international journals including Journal of Sports Rehabilitation, Cartilage, and Gait and Posture
• Active member of numerous professional societies including International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS), Society for Orthopedic and Traumatological Sports Medicine (GOTS), and German Society for Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery (AGA)

As an academic leader, Prof. Wondrasch supervises numerous bachelor's and master's theses while managing multiple research grants through projects like NUMOQUA, ELSA, MLKOA, and others. She has established strong international collaborations and serves as an international coordinator for her department. Her leadership extends to institutional governance as a Member of the College from 2023-2026.

Prof. Wondrasch directs the Institute of Health Sciences, overseeing multiple research teams focused on clinical rehabilitation, movement analysis, and health promotion. Her department maintains strong connections with clinical practice through continuing education programs for physiotherapists and partnerships with healthcare institutions.