Russell Baker

Russell Baker is a Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Director of Medical Research in the Department of Movement Sciences at the University of Idaho. He holds academic appointments in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences and specializes in athletic training and sports medicine. His research focuses on musculoskeletal injury management, psychometric evaluation of clinical tools, and healthcare access in rural settings.

Baker earned a PhD in Education from the University of Idaho (2017) with a concentration in Movement Sciences – Sport & Exercise Psychology, a D.A.T. (2013), and multiple advanced degrees in kinesiology and sports management from Florida State University and California State University.

His research interests include manual therapy techniques (especially instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization), development/validation of patient-reported outcome measures, and healthcare delivery innovations in rural areas. He has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2020, focusing on topics like telehealth programs, athletic training clinic operations, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation protocols.

Baker leads initiatives at the WWAMI Medical Education Building and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects involving biomechanics labs, sports medicine education, and community health outreach. His work emphasizes translating evidence-based practices into real-world clinical settings, particularly addressing healthcare disparities in Idaho's rural regions.