Laura Prieto, PhD

Dr. Laura Andrea Prieto is from Bogotá, Colombia and grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Prieto earned her PhD in Kinesiolgy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a concentration on Motor Control and Behavior and adapted physical activity. Her research focus is on adapted physical activity and dance for people with disabilities, specifically for Latine/x older adults with disabilities. She has worked with adults and children with disabilities in community centers, schools, and dance studios to promote active lifestyles through movement. Dr. Prieto’s dissertation work focused on the planning and evaluation of community-based physical activity programs including the evaluation of a program for autistic children and their families and the planning of future program for Latine/x older adults. Dr. Prieto plans to expand her dissertation work to working with Latine/x older adults with Parkinson’s disease in and out of the United States with the direction of Dr. Kristen Pickett in the Department of Kinesiology. Outside of research, Dr. Prieto enjoys dancing, being outdoors, and having “asados” or cookouts with family and friends.