Yvonne Golightly

Yvonne Golightly, PT, MS, PhD is a Professor and Assistant Dean for Research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Allied Health Professions. She leads collaborative research initiatives focused on chronic disease prevention, particularly osteoarthritis, obesity, and musculoskeletal conditions. Her work integrates epidemiology, biomechanics, and clinical practice to address health equity and improve patient outcomes.

Educational Background:

• PhD in Epidemiology, University of North Carolina (2010)
• MS in Human Movement Science, University of North Carolina (2005)
• BS in Allied Health Science (Physical Therapy), Ohio State University (1998)

Research Interests: Dr. Golightly investigates osteoarthritis comorbidities (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes), physical activity interventions, musculoskeletal pain mechanisms, and translational genomics. Her studies leverage large cohorts like the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project and Osteoarthritis Initiative. She explores systemic factors like microbiome diversity and epigenetic markers to uncover drivers of disease progression.

Editorial Roles: Associate Editor of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage and Editorial Board Member of Arthritis Care & Research.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Integrated Laboratories for Pursuing Pedal Pathologies (ILP³), focusing on foot and ankle osteoarthritis research. Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to advance prevention strategies and precision medicine approaches.