Meet The Team
Dr. Katie Butera | Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, University of Delaware, Department of Physical Therapy
Doctor of Physical Therapy & Clinical Pain Researcher
kbutera@udel.edu
Dr. Katie Butera’s Bibliography
Hello! My name is Dr. Katie Butera. I am the Principal Investigator for the Delaware Pain Research Group and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware.
My journey began at the University of Florida, where I completed my physical therapy training in 2011. I went on to work as a physical therapist in acute hospital and inpatient rehabilitation settings. I gained valuable experience working with many different patient populations, including individuals with spinal cord injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic pain low back pain. These experiences fueled my passion for delivering high-quality, evidence-based patient care.
Eager to dive deeper into the science behind rehabilitation, I pursued my PhD in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Florida and earned my degree in 2020. During this time, I focused on studying the neural processes contributing to movement impairments, particularly among individuals with acute and chronic pain.
Seeking to expand my expertise, I then completed a post-doctoral fellowship in implementation science and pragmatic clinical research at the University of Colorado. There, I honed my skills in translating research findings into practical solutions that can make a difference in real-world clinical settings.
Now, as an early career investigator at the University of Delaware, I am building a clinical pain research program to optimize health and functional outcomes for individuals with chronic pain and disability. The goals of our Research Group are to understand the neural mechanisms underlying pain and movement interactions, develop effective and personalized movement-based interventions, and educate clinicians and patient on optimal pain rehabilitation approaches.
With a blend of compassion and scientific rigor, I’m excited to contribute to the advancement of pain management and rehabilitation, empowering individuals to reclaim their lives and achieve better outcomes. I am also excited to mentor physical therapy and rehabilitation science trainees as they pursue their own clinical and scientific research career goals.
Dr. Tamara Wright | Research Physical Therapist
Research Physical Therapist and Teaching Assistant, University of Delaware, Department of Physical Therapy
Doctor of Physical Therapy
twright@udel.edu
Tami Wright is a Research Physical Therapist at the University of Delaware. She received her BA in Psychology with minors in Biology and Women’s Studies from the University of Delaware in 2003, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She then went on to receive her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Delaware in 2006. Tami worked at Christiana Care’s Stroke and Brain Injury outpatient clinic after graduating. Since 2010, Tami has primarily worked in the Delaware Stroke Studies research program at the University of Delaware and also serves as a Teaching Assistant in the DPT program. With a blend of compassion, empathy, and science- Tami is excited to contribute to the advancement of rehabilitation through research, empowering individuals to improve functional outcomes. She recently has joined the Delaware Pain Research group and has enjoyed taking a part in Dr. Butera’s Low Back Pain study. In her free time, Tami spends time with her 2 children that keep her busy with all their activities! She also enjoys yoga, reading, and spending time with her dog and 2 cats.
Isabelle Botto | Undergraduate Research Assistant & Peter White Fellow
Isabelle Botto is a senior Honors Kinesiology major in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Delaware with minors in Disability Studies and Medical Humanities. Isabelle has been involved in volunteer work under DPRG since the spring semester of 2024. She has received a Peter White Fellowship from the Department of Physical Therapy for the summer of 2024 and looks forward to broadening her interests and knowledge surrounding research methodology. Isabelle plans on going to physical therapy school after graduation. Outside of her academics and lab work, Isabelle is an Access:Ability Scholar, a FYS Peer Mentor for KAAP105, President of the Yoga Club at UD, and Philanthropy Chair of the Nu Chapter of Alpha Omega Epsilon.
Peter White Fellowship | Physical Therapy | University of Delaware
Taryn Fields | ADaPT Summer Scholar
Taryn Fields is a junior Honors Human Physiology major under the College of Health Sciences at University of Delaware. She joined DPRG in the summer of 2024 through the ADaPT Summer Scholars program, which seeks to advance diversity in physical therapy. Taryn plans to go into healthcare after graduation.
ADaPT Summer Scholars | Physical Therapy | University of Delaware
Kirsten Harley | Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kirsten Harley is a junior Kinesiology Major in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Delaware with a minor in Strength and Conditioning. Kirsten joined the team in February of 2025 as a volunteer to explore and learn about the world of research. She hopes to enter a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program after graduation. Kirsten currently holds the position as community service chair for the second consecutive term in the Eta Gamma chapter of Gamma Phi Beta.
Sanjana Gontu | Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sanjana Gontu is a sophomore Honors Biology major in the College of Arts and Sciences with a minor in sociology. Sanjana joined the team in December of 2024 as a volunteer hoping to gain more exposure to research. She is also working in the Stroke Lab at UD as a part of the 2025 Summer Fellows Program. Sanjana plans on going to medical school after getting her undergraduate degree. Outside of academics, she is an Indian classical dancer of 11 years, and holds a position as PR chair for the UD Kamaal dance team.