2017 – 2018

Rehabilitation Science PhD program graduates:

Umar Alabasi, PT, PhD, MS

Mentor: Dr. Krista Vandenborne
Track: Movement Science
Dissertation: “Assessment of Disease Progression in Upper and Lower Extremity Muscles in Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Spectroscopy and Clinical Outcome Measures”

Degree Awarded: December 2018

Alison Barnard, PhD, DPT

Mentor: Dr. Krista Vandenborne
Track: Movement Science
Dissertation: “Lower Extremity and Respiratory Muscle Magnetic Resonance Biomarkers in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Relationships to Clinical Function and Effects of Genetic Modifiers”

Degree awarded: December 2018

Shakeel Ahmed, PhD, MPHT

Mentor: Dr. Danny Martin
Track: Movement Science
Dissertation: “Acute Intermittent Hypoxia and Inspiratory Threshold Loading as Strategies to Enhance Inspiratory Muscle Function”

Degree awarded: August 2018

Mi Jung Lee, PhD, BSOT

Mentor: Dr. Sergio Romero
Track: Disability Science
Dissertation: “Developing a Global PROMIS Self-Efficacy Measure for Managing Chronic Conditions”

Degree awarded: August 2018

Qian Ding, PhD

Mentor: Dr. Carolynn Patten
Track: Movement Science
Dissertation: “Neural Adaptations after Non-Paretic Hand Exercise to Task-Failure in Chronic Stroke”

Degree awarded: August 2018

Pallavi Sood, PhD, BPT, MS

Mentor: Dr. Sergio Romero
Track: Disability Science
Dissertation: “Developing Tailored Functional Status Measures across Continuum of Care”

Degree awarded: August 2018

Lauren Tabor, PhD, MS, CCC-SLP

Mentor: Dr. Emily Plowman
Track: Bulbar Science
Dissertation: “Airway Sensorimotor Function in Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis”

Degree awarded: May 2018

Harneet Arora, PhD, BPT

Mentor: Dr. Krista Vandenborne
Track: Movement Science
Dissertation: “Examination of Disease Progression in Upper and Lower Limb Muscles in Boys with DMD Using Functional Clinical Endpoints and Magnetic Resonance Imaging”

Degree awarded: December 2017

Abinandan Batra, PhD, MPT

Mentor: Dr. Krista Vandenborne
Track: Movement Science
Dissertation: “Non-Invasive Monitoring of Disease Progression in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy & Collagen 6 Related Dystrophy”
Degree awarded: August 2017
Student Spotlight

Publications while a student

Sandra Brown, PhD, MSOT

Mentor: Dr. Christine Myers
Track: Disability Science
Dissertation: “Examination of the Application of Applied Behavior Analysis Principles on a Child’s Participation in Rehabilitation from the Perspective of the Therapist”
Degree awarded: August 2017 

Sudeshna Chatterjee, PhD, MS, BPTH

Mentor: Dr. David Clark
Track: Movement Science
Dissertation: “Measurement of Sympathetic Nervous System Activity to Objectively Assess the Perceived Challenge of Walking during Complex Walking Tasks after Stroke”
Degree awarded: August 2017

Publications while a student

Trevor Lentz, PhD, MPT, MPH

Mentor: Dr. Steven George
Track: Disability Science
Dissertation: “Advancing the Understanding of Healthcare Utilization and Costs among Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain”
Degree Awarded: August 2017
Student Spotlight

Dominique DuBose, PhD, ATC

Mentor: Dr. MaryBeth Horodyski
Track: Movement Science
Dissertation: “The Effect of Sports-Related Concussion on Neuromuscular Function”
Degree awarded: May 2017
Publications while a student

Laura Ann Zdziarski, PhD, LAT, ATC

Mentor: Dr. Heather Vincent
Track: Movement Science
Dissertation: “Improving Functional Outcomes in Obese Orthopaedic Trauma Patients with an Integrated Care Approach and Early Mobilization”
Degree awarded: May 2017
Student Spotlight
Publications while a student