Home > Athletic Training > Athletic Training Faculty > Faculty Bio

Andrea DiTrani Lobacz

di_trani_lobacz-1Andrea DiTrani Lobacz, PhD, ATC is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Athletic Training within the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Dr. Lobacz completed a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training at Marist College and obtained a Master of Science degree in athletic training from A.T. Still University – Arizona School of Health Sciences. In addition, she also earned a PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware in 2017. Dr. Lobacz’s research interests include neuromechanical maladaptations following hamstring strain injury, including altered sensations of tightness and proprioceptive deficits. Through her research she also aims to identify factors that may increase the risk of hamstring strain susceptibility, particularly how fatigue and competitive anxiety contribute to hamstring stiffness dysregulation. Prior to entering higher education, Dr. Lobacz spent 6+ years working clinically as a certified athletic trainer at the Division-I collegiate level, primarily with track and field athletes, which provided the base and motivation for her research efforts in the area of hamstring strain injuries.

Honors & Awards:

  • Neumann University Faculty Award for Excellence in Scholarship
  • NATA Foundation Doctoral Scholarship Award

Other Activities:

  • Team Chaplain, Neumann University Women’s Tennis Team
  • Mentor, Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society Young Professionals Committee Mentorship Program

Manuscript Reviewer:

  • Journal of Athletic Training
  • Research in Sports Medicine
  • Journal of Sport Rehabilitation
  • Athletic Training & Sports Health Care

Recent Presentations:

  • Evidence Based Lecture/General Session, 71st Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium: “Evidence Based Estimation of Time to Return-to-Play for Hamstring Strain Injuries” - January 2019
  • Di Trani Lobacz A, An YW, Jaric S, Silbernagel KG, Swanik CB. Proprioception is Impaired and Associated with Poor Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Hamstring Strain Injury. Presented at the 2018 National Athletic Trainers’ Association Clinical Symposia & AT Expo.
  • Featured Presentation, Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposium in Grantville, PA: “The Clinical Evaluation of Hamstring Strain Injuries: Using Patient-Reported Outcomes to Assess Re-injury Risk and RTP Time” - June 2018
  • Featured Presentation, Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposium in Erie, PA: "A Multimodal Approach to Hamstring Strain Injury Rehabilitation" - June 2017

Publications

  • An YW, Di Trani Lobacz A, Lehmann T, Baumeister J, Rose WC, Higginson JS, Rosen J, Swanik CB. Negative emotion alters joint stiffness regulation strategies after anterior cruciate ligament injury. J Athl Train. (in-press)
  • An YW, Di Trani Lobacz A, Lehmann T, Baumeister J, Rose WC, Higginson JS, Rosen J, Swanik CB. Neuroplastic changes in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients from neuromechanical decoupling. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2019;29(2):251-258.
  • Di Trani A, Glutting JJ, & Kaminski TW. Clinical Practice Patterns and Beliefs in the Management of Hamstring Strain Injuries. J Athl Train. 51(2):2016.
  • Stryker S, Di Trani A, JJ, & Kaminski, TW. Assessing Performance, Stability, and Cleat Comfort/Support in Collegiate Club Soccer Players Using Prophylactic Ankle Taping and Bracing. Research in Sports Medicine. 24(1):2016
  • Di Trani Lobacz A. Neurodynamic Mobilizations for Hamstring Strain Injuries. Athletic Training Sports Health Care. 7(3): 2015.

Memberships & Certifications:

  • Board of Certification (since 2006)
  • Pennsylvania State Licensed Athletic Trainer
  • National Athletic Trainers’ Association
  • Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association
  • Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society
  • BLS Instructor, American Heart Association