Margaret Finley, PT, PhD is a professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science and executive director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She is currently serving as the interim chair for the Orthotics & Prosthetics program at Elkins Park. She earned a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD. Finley’s research has been supported by the VA Rehabilitation Research Service through a predoctoral fellowship, postdoctoral training (Associate Investigator) and subsequent mentored Career Development Award. She has been the principal investigator on a multi-site Department of Defense-funded study, as well as funded by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health SCI Research Program. She is currently funded by two Department of Defense Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) awards assessing and developing accessible physical activity modalities for peoples with SCI. Her research uses a mixed method approach to examine the interaction of biological and psychosocial factors in the development and progression of secondary condition and the impact of activity and participation on biopsychosocial health factors in individuals with neuromotor impairments.

Academic Distinctions

She is a standing member of the NIH Center for Scientific Review, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Function, Integration and Rehabilitation Sciences (FIRS) Subcommittee and is on the editorial board of Topics in Spinal Cord Rehabilitation.

Professional Society

Selected Publications

Finley, MA, Baehr, LA, Bruneau, ML, Hiremath, S, Maloney, J, Childress, M, Morrison, J., Perry, E. (2026) Response to group exercise differs by self-reported physical activity at baseline in individuals with spinal cord injury: An exploratory analysis. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, DOI: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000572

Baehr, LA., Perry, E., Maloney, J., Morrison, J., Childress, M., Samson, C., Newton, R., Finley, MA. (2025) Beyond the protocol: Reflecting on embedding lived experience knowledge onto the research team using the Seven-step framework for critical analysis in physical therapy. Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation (in press).

Canori, A., Coffman, D., Wright, GW, Finley, MA, Hiremath, S. (2024) Differential relationships between physical activity and pain phenotypes in individuals with spinal cord injury. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2024.2344315. Epub ahead of print.

Baehr, L, Hiremath S, Finley MA. Physical activity measurement through accelerometry during group tele-exercise in individuals with spinal cord injury: A case series: Accelerometry during exercise in individuals with SCI. CommonHealth. (Accepted for publication)

Baehr, LA, Hiremath S, Bruneau, M., Chairello, L., Kaimal, G., Newton, R., Finley MA. (2024) Impact of tele-exercise to promote empowered movement for individuals with spinal cord injury (TEEMS) program on physical activity determinants and behavior: A mixed methods assessment. Archives Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 105(1),101-111. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2023.08.019. PMID: 37678447.

Grant participation:

CDMRP SCIRP Clinical Trial Award, Early Career Partnering, 240042 (HT94252510367) Tele-Exercise to Promote Empowered Movement in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury, TEEMS. Role: Initiating PI (2025-2029)

CDMRP SCIRP Clinical Translation Award (HT9425-24-1-0878). Improving Cardiometabolic Health in Individuals with SCI Using Home-based Interactive Virtual Gaming. Role: PI (2024-2027)

CNHP ORI Pilot Grant 2024. Aerobic capacity and exercise intensity of virtual reality in people with spinal cord injury. Role: PI (2024-2025)

PA Dept of Health SCI Research Program - “Tele-exercise for Individuals with SCI: Physical, Psychological and Social Determinants” Role: PI (2024-2026)

Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Psychosocial Research Program (CNHF 865512) - “Integrated tele-exercise for individuals with SCI: psychological and social responses” Role: PI (2022-2025)

Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs- Spinal Cord Injury Research Program Investigator Initiated Research Award (DoD SCIRP W81XWH-17-1-0476) “Development of a Biopsychosocial Prospective Surveillance Model of Shoulder Pain in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury” Role: PI (2017-2021)

Research Interests

Finley's research interest is the identification and mitigation of secondary conditions in persons with chronic health conditions, impairments, activity and participation limitations. Her primary focus is individuals with spinal cord injury, investigating accessible, inclusive physical activity interventions to mitigate biopsychosocial secondary conditions, promoting activity and participation. Employing quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, she utilizes lived experience perspectives and identifies needs regarding physical activity and community engage of individuals with SCI.

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PhD, Physical Rehabilitation Science (Cognate: Biomechanics), 2003
University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland

Master of Arts, Biomechanics, 1993
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland

Bachelor of Science - Physical Therapy, With Honors, 1987
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland

Bachelor of Science – Kinesiological Science, Summa Cum Laude, 1985
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland