Center for Health Promotion, Performance, and Rehabilitation Research

CHPPRR Leadership

Center for Health Promotion, Performance, and Rehabilitation Research
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77555-1137
O: SHP/SON 4.514
P: 409-747-1635
E: chpprr@utmb.edu
Carole Tucker

Carole A. Tucker, PT, PhD

  • Director, Center for Health Promotion, Performance, and Rehabilitation Research (CHPPRR)
  • Associate Dean for Research, School of Health Professions
  • Fannie Kempner Adoue Distinguished Professor in Cognitive Rehabilitation
  • Professor, Department of Nutrition Sciences and Health Behavior
  • Chair and Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences

P: 409-747-1637
E: cartucke@utmb.edu

Web Biography

Melissa (Missy) Morrow

Melissa (Missy) Morrow, PhD

  • Associate Director, Center for Health Promotion, Performance, and Rehabilitation Research (CHPPRR)
  • A. Russell Shearn Moody Distinguished Chair in Neurological Rehabilitation
  • Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences

P: 409-772-9446
E: memorrow@utmb.edu

Web Biography

Judith Linton

Judi Linton, PT, MS

  • Center Operations Director, Center for Health Promotion, Performance, and Rehabilitation Research (CHPPRR)

P: 409-266-1767
E: jllinton@utmb.edu

Web Biography


CHPPRR Faculty

Soham Al Snih, MD, PhD

Soham Al SnihAssistant Dean for Doctorate Foundational Curriculum

Professor of the Department of Population Health and Health Disparities

Director of the Rehabilitation Sciences PhD Program; Senior Fellow of the Sealy Center on Aging

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Obesity, frailty, disability, muscle strength, and population health and health disparities

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0177
P: 409-266-9691 | F: 409-772-8931 | E: soalsnih@utmb.edu

Amber B. Armstead, DrPH, OTR, BCPR

Amber ArmsteadAssistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Health disparities among marginalized groups, neurological based OT interventions, health promotion and wellness, chronic disease management

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1142
P: 409-772-3082 | F: 409-747-1615 | E: abarmste@utmb.edu

Jacques Baillargeon, PhD

Jacques BaillargeonProfessor and Chair ad interim, Department of Epidemiology

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Pharmacoepidemiology, Cancer epidemiology, Infectious disease epidemiology, Patient-centered outcomes research, Comparative effectiveness research, Health services research, Correctional health care

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1150
P: 409-772-4534 | F: 409-772-9127 | E: jbaillar@utmb.edu

Suresh Bhavnani, PhD

Suresh BhavnaniProfessor, Department of Biostatistics and Data Science

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Biomedical Informatics

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0129
P: 734-277-7649 | E: subhavna@utmb.edu


Placeholder ImagePatricia Blair, PhD, LLM, JD, MSN, RN, CNE
Associate Professor, SON Graduate Studies

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Correctional, Healthcare, Health Disparities, Health Care Policies, Ethical Issues, Criminal Justice Systems

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1132
P: 409-772-8270 | E: pablair@utmb.edu

David A. Brown, PT, PhD, FAPTA

David BrownSenior Vice President and Dean, School of Health Professions; Interim Director, Division of Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Neural control and biomechanics of locomotion

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1028
P: 409-772-3001 | E: davibrow@utmb.edu

Gregory Brusola, DPT, PhD, PT, MSCS

Gregory BrusolaAssistant Professor of Instruction

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Exploring the role of exercise and physical activity in disease modification in multiple sclerosis (MS). Investigating the intersection between cognition and balance/gait in MS. Outcome measure use and validation in the neurological population. Examining the clinical feasibility and use of neuromodulation in motor skill learning and acquisition, physical and cognitive performance in individuals with neurological diagnoses, such as MS and stroke.

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1144
P: 409-772-3068 | E: gabrusol@utmb.edu

Diane Collins, PhD, OT

Diane CollinsAssociate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Effect of Sustained Exercise on Physiological and Behavioral Factors among Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders; Leisure Activity Participation among Children and Adolescents with Autism; Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Practice in Community Settings; Telerehabilitation Enhanced Wellness Programs for Spina Bifida; Use of Service Dogs on Daily Tasks Performance and Effect on Mood for Persons Who Use Wheelchairs.

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1142
P: 409-772-3080 | F: 409-747-1615 | E: dicollin@utmb.edu

Peter Cram, MD, MBA

Peter CramProfessor and Chair, Department of Internal Medicine

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Using administrative data to compare healthcare utilization and outcomes across developed countries; Enhancing communication of risk and prognosis to patients and after low impact hip fractures; Studying prices of care and the impact of price transparency efforts

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0569
P: 409-772-9891 | E: pecram@utmb.edu

Brian Downer, PhD

Brian DownerAssociate Professor, Department of Population Health and Health Disparities

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Areas: Quality and outcomes of post-acute care; Epidemiology of dementia and cognitive decline in diverse populations; Hispanic health and aging

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1153
P: 409-266-9659 | E: brdowner@utmb.edu

Steven R. Fisher, PhD, PT, GCS

Steven FisherProfessor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Clinical interests have centered on the physical functioning of older adult clinical populations - and how physical functioning in this context relates to important outcomes.

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1144
P: 409-772-3068 | F: 409-747-1613 | E: stfisher@utmb.edu

Maria Franco Fuenmayor, MD

Maria Franco FuenmayorAssistant Professor, Pediatric Neonatology

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Neonatology

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0526
P: 409-772-3695 | F: 409-772-3680 | E: mefranco@utmb.edu

Rebecca Galloway, PhD, PT, GCS, CEEAA

Rebecca GallowayAssociate Professor of Instruction, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Fall Risk and Prevention, Debility/Deconditioning, Rehabilitation Outcomes, Geriatric Rehabilitation and Interprofessional Education

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1144
P: 409-772-3068 | F: 409-747-1613 | E: regallow@utmb.edu

Michael Goodman, MDiv MPH DrPH

Michael GoodmanAssistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Applied social epidemiology, “flourishing communities" (an investigation of mental, behavioral, clinical, social and psychological factors), health systems strengthening to improve delivery and utilization of HIV treatment, adverse childhood experiences and their contribution to population health, determinants of family and community violence, and community-based interventions to improve the welfare of vulnerable children and families in sub-Saharan Africa

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0435
P: 713-292-6588 | E: migoodma@utmb.edu

James S. Goodwin, MD

James GoodwinGeorge and Cynthia Mitchell Distinguished Chair of Geriatric Medicine; Professor, Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Comparative effectiveness of cancer care in the elderly, recovery of function after hospitalization; Overutilization of medical tests and treatments; Assessing individual provider performance with administrative data

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0177
P: 409-747-1987 | F: 409-772-8931 | E: jsgoodwi@utmb.edu

Zbigniew Gugala, MD, PhD

Zbigniew Gugala

Associate Professor and Director of Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Wounds and injuries, prevention of infection, rehabilitation

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0165
P: 409-747-5760 | F: 409-747-5747 | E: zgugala@utmb.edu

Latia Hickerson, PhD, MPH, APRN, WHNP-BC

Latia HickersonAssistant Professor, Department of SON Undergraduate Studies

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Outcomes of a group prenatal care model, Pregnant women living with HIV.

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1029
P: 409-772-8265 | E: lwhicker@utmb.edu

Claudia Hilton, PhD, OTR, MBA, FAOTA

Claudia HiltonAssociate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Executive function, autism spectrum disorders, participation, intervention

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1142
P: 409-772-9441 | F: 409-747-1615 | E: clhilton@utmb.edu

Lynne Hughes PhD, PT, OCS, MTC

Lynne Hughes

Associate Professor and Director of Bridge PTA to DPT Program, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Posture, Manual Therapy, Diabetes

Contact: 301 University Blvd. Galveston, TX 77555-1144
P: 409-772-3068 | F: 409-747-1613 | E: lyhughes@utmb.edu

Daniel C. Jupiter, PhD

Daniel JupiterAssociate Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Data Science

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Lower extremity complications of diabetes, including ulceration, amputation, and infectious diseases such as osteomyelitis

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1028
P: 409-772-6616 | F: 409-772-5272 | E: dajupite@utmb.edu

Mansoo Ko, PhD

Mansoo KoAssociate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
Research Expert Profile | PT Bio

Research Area: Gait analysis

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1144
P: 409-772-3068 | E: mako@utmb.edu


Yong-Fang Kuo, PhD

Yong-Fang KuoProfessor and Chair, Department of Biostatistics and Data Science; Don W. and Frances Powell Professorship in Aging Research

Research Expert Profile| Web Biography

Research Area: Comparative effectiveness research, Health services research, Cancer outcomes research, Health policy research, Pharmacoepidemiology, Developing/refining algorithms and prediction models

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1150
P: 409-772-5276 | P: 409-772-9127 | E: yokuo@utmb.edu

Emily Lantz, PhD

Emily LantzAssistant Professor, Department of Nutrition, Metabolism & Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Muscle metabolism and physiology, Aging, Women’s Health

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1124
P: 409-772-0643 | E: ejlantz@utmb.edu

Mi Jung Lee, PhD, BSOT

Mi Jung LeeAssistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Health informatics, measurement science, home modification

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1137
P: 409-772-9446 | E: mijlee@utmb.edu

Chih-Ying "Cynthia" Li, PhD

Chih-Ying LiAssociate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Health Services Research

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1142
P: 409-772-9492 | F: 409-747-1615 | E: chili@utmb.edu


Elizabeth Lyons, PhD, MPH

Elizabeth LyonsAssociate Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Nutrition and Metabolism

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Physical activity interventions, cancer survivorship, technology, video games, mobile devices

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1124
P: 409-772-2575 | E: ellyons@utmb.edu

Karthik Mani, OTD, OTR, FACOT

Karthik ManiAssistant Professor and Level II Fieldwork Coordinator, Department of Occupational Therapy

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Professional issues that affect practice, occupational therapy in developing countries, outcome measures and assessments, population health

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1142
P: 409-772-3060 | F: 409-747-1615 | E: kamani@utmb.edu

Kyriakos Markides, PhD

Kyriakos MarkidesAnnie and John Gnitzinger Professor of Aging Studies; Professor, Department of Department of Population Health & Health Disparities; Editor, Journal of Aging and Health

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Aging and health issues in the Mexican American population

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1150
P: 409-772-9137 | E: kmarkide@utmb.edu

Janna McGaugh, ScD, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Janna McGaughAssociate Chair of Academics and Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Development and measurement of clinical reasoning skills in physical therapy students, residents

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1144
P: 409-772-3068 | E: jamcgaug@utmb.edu

Christopher Messenger, PhD, MS, RD, LD, CNSC

Christopher MessengerAssistant Professor

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Clinical Dietetics, Quality Improvement Methods, General/Clinical Informatics

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1124
P: 409-772-3308 | E: cmmessen@utmb.edu

Melinda Sheffield-Moore, PhD

Melinda Sheffield-MooreSenior Vice President and Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Lawrence E. Ethridge, Jr. Distinguished Professor, Department of Internal Medicine

Web Biography

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1050
P: 409-747-2180 | E: melmoore@utmb.edu

Charles Mouton, MD, MS, MBA

Charles MoutonExecutive Vice President & Provost, Professor, Department of Family Medicine

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Women’s health, health disparities, late life domestic violence, and aging

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0129
P: 409-772-1902 | E: cpmouton@utmb.edu

Andrew Murton, PhD

Andrew MurtonAssistant Professor, Department of Surgery

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Cellular mechanisms responsible for the loss of muscle mass in critical illness states; the impact of lifestyle and aging on muscle and whole-body metabolism; nutritional interventions to improve muscle mass and function following periods of illness and/or disuse

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0644
P: 409-772-0185 | E: ajmurton@utmb.edu

Monique Pappadis, MEd, PhD

Charles MoutonAssociate Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism & Rehabilitation Sciences
Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Areas: Traumatic brain injury and stroke, Minority aging, Continuity of care, Health literacy, Ethnic minority health and behavioral health disparities, Psychosocial adjustment to disability

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1137
P: 409-747-1632 | F: 409-747-1638 | E: mrpappad@utmb.edu

Janak Patel, MD

Placeholder ImageClinical Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Department of Infection Control & Healthcare Epidemiology

Web Biography

Research Area: Exploration of the host-virus-bacteria interactions as they relate to respiratory viral infections and development of bacterial otitis media, evaluation of a variety of anti-infective agents and vaccines in prevention and treatment of childhood infections, and epidemiologic studies of perinatal HIV infection

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1028
P: 409-772-3192 | E: jpatel@utmb.edu

M. Kristen Peek, PhD

Kristen PeekProfessor and Dean ad interim, School of Public and Population Health, Chair ad interim, Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health

Research Expert Profile| Web Biography

Research Area: Social Epidemiology, Health Disparities, Psychological Stress and Stress-related Biomarkers, Minority Aging and Health

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1150
P: 409-772-9143 | F: 409-772-2573 | E: mkpeek@utmb.edu

B. Montgomery Pettitt, PhD

Bernard PettittRobert A. Welch Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry, Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Pharmacology and Toxicology

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Molecular recognition of proteins and DNA in solution and the relationship to signaling in cells; signaling that becomes unregulated leading to cancer and other diseases is central to the medical motivation in his laboratory

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0304
P: 409-772-0723 | E: mpettitt@utmb.edu

Mukaila Raji, MD, MS, FACP

Mukaila RajiProfessor, Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Cognitive impairment, dementia and disability on older adults

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0177
P: 409-772-1987 | F: 409-772-1952 | E: muraji@utmb.edu

José Rojas, PhD, RRT, RPFT, FAARC

Jose Rojas

Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Respiratory Care

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Mechanical ventilation, simulation technology, acute lung injury, lung physiology

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1146
P: 409-772-9405 | E: jdrojas@utmb.edu

Gulshan Sharma, MD, MPH, FCCP

Gulshan SharmaSenior Vice President, Chief Medical & Clinical Innovation Officer; Sealy and Smith Distinguished Chair in Internal Medicine; Director, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Quality improvement, health services research, provider continuity, end of life care

Contact: 301 University Blvd. Galveston, TX 77555-0561
P: 409-772-2436 | F: 409-772-9532 | E: gusharma@utmb.edu

Jeanne M. Smith, DPT, PT, OCS, SCS, MTC, STC

Placeholder ImageProfessor of Instruction and Director of Clinical Education for the PTA to DPT Bridge Program, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Neurological disorders/stroke, robotics/assistive devices

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1144
P: 409-772-3068 | E: jeamsmit@utmb.edu

Heidi Spratt, PhD

Heidi SprattAssociate Professor

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Clinical studies applied to a wide range of disorders, diseases, and populations including those in the fields of infectious diseases (specifically dengue fever and Chagas disease), liver cancer, internal medicine and geriatrics, and pediatric respiratory infections

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1150
P: 409-747-6806 | F: 409-772-5272 | E: hespratt@utmb.edu

Oscar E. Suman, PhD

Oscar SumanLeon Hess Professor for Burn Injuries Research; Professor, Department of Surgery

Research Expert Profile | Web Biography

Research Area: Exercise physiology & burns

Contact: 301 University Blvd., Galveston, Texas 77555-0735
P: 409-772-3889 | F: 409-747-0966 | E: oesuman@utmb.edu

Rodney L. Welsh, PhD, PT, OTR

photo of Dr. WelshAssistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
Research Profile| PT Profile

Research Area: Rehabilitation Utilization and Outcomes

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1144
P: (409) 772-3068 | E: rlwelsh@utmb.edu

Dana Wild, PhD, PT

photo of Dr. WildAssistant Dean for Student Affairs
Research Profile | ASA Bio

Research Area: Pediatrics, early intervention

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-1028
P: (409) 772-3068 | F: (409) 747-1613 | E: dlwild@utmb.edu

Steven E. Wolf, MD

photo of manJD and LH Jamail Distinguished Chair Vice-Chairman; Professor and Chief, Division of Burn and Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery
Research Profile| Surgery Bio

Research Area: Burns, trauma, surgical critical care

Contact: 815 Market Street, Galveston, Texas 77550-2725
P: (409) 770-6607 | F: (409) 770-6919 | E: swolf@utmb.edu

Rebeca Wong, PhD

photo of Dr. WongPeaches & Shrub Kempner Distinguished Professor in Health Disparities, Vice-Chair for Research, Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health; Director, WHO/ PAHO Collaborating Center on Aging and Health; Associate Director, Claude Pepper Older American Independence Center, and the Sealy Center on Aging
Research Profile | SCoA Bio

Research Area: Economic consequences of population aging, in particular in Mexico and among immigrant Hispanics in the U.S.

Contact: 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0177
P: (409) 772-3068 | F: (409) 747-1613 | E: rewong@utmb.edu


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