Former PhD Students

Rehab PhD Students

Martha Acosta, MS, PT (2003-2007)
Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Dissertation: Falls in Mexican American older adults
Mentor: B. Protas
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy, UTHSC-SA
William Amonette, MA (2007-2011)
Academic Background: Exercise Science
Dissertation: Fatigue, aerobic fitness, and neuroendocrine response in patients after Traumatic Brain Injury
Mentor: K. Mossberg
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Human Sciences Humanities, University of Houston-Clear Lake
Jason Bentley (2017-2021)
Academic Background: Physiology
Dissertation: Characterizing the mindset of inactive breast cancer survivors regarding their PA, examining how their implicit beliefs about PA may impact their adherence to a PA intervention, and exploring whether their mindset changes as a function of participating in a values-based intervention
Mentor: E. Lyons
Current Position:
Saad Bindawas, MHSc (2006-2009)
Academic Background: Physical Therapy / Physiotherapy
Dissertation: Arthritis impact on physical function, disability and health-related QOL among older Mexican Americans
Mentor: B. Protas
Current Position: Chair of Physical Therapy, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
Michael Borack, MS (2011-2015)
Academic Background: Kinesiology
Dissertation: Amino acid sensing in muscle: Role of lysosomes and effect of protein supplementation
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, US Army Institute of Surgical Research
Julianna Bores-Dean, MS (2016-2019)

Academic Background: Exercise Science/Health Science
Dissertation: Influence of social capital on community discharge in post-acute care among Medicare beneficiaries
Mentor: T. Reistetter
Current Position: Assistant Professor,University of Houston Clear Lake
Regina Buccello, MS (2003-2007)
Academic Background: Human Factors Psychology
Dissertation: Sensorimotor adaptation training
Mentor: R. Cromwell
Current Position: Scientist, NASA, Johnson Space Center
Pei-Fen Chang, PhD, OTR (2001-2005)
Academic Background: Occupational Therapy
Dissertation: Satisfaction with rehabilitation outcomes
Mentor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, Texas Women’s University
Tony Chao, MS (2012-2016)
Academic Background: Exercise Science
Dissertation: Pathophysiology of severe burn injury and the effects of novel pharmacological therapies
Mentor: D. Herndon and C. Porter
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy, UTMB
Ann Charness, MS, PT (2006-2013)
Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Dissertation: Gait and functional ability of patients with hip fracture and Parkinson’s disease
Mentor: E. Protas
Current Position: Physical Therapist, HealthMatters Chiropractic
Maria Chondronikola, MS (2011-2015)
Academic Background: Nutrition and Dietics
Dissertation: Role of brown adipose tissue on substrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity in humans
Mentor: L. Sidossis
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Washington University
Carrie Ciro, MHS (2007-2010)
Academic Background: Occupational Therapy
Dissertation: Functional outcomes and community participation in older adults with in-hospital depressive symptoms
Mentor: G. Ostir
Current Position: Associate Professor & Chair, Occupational Therapy, University of Kansas Medical Center
John DeWitt, MS (2002-2006)
Academic Background: Exercise Science
Dissertation: Effect of increasing mass upon locomotion
Mentor: R. Cromwell
Current Position: Senior Biomechanist, NASA, Johnson Space Center
Kirk English, MA (2007-2012)
Academic Background: Exercise Science
Dissertation: Muscle protein synthesis and exercise countermeasures
Current Position: Senior Scientist, NASA, Johnson Space Center
Steve Fisher, MS, PT (2004-2008)
Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Dissertation: Functional assessments in elderly, post-discharge outcomes
Mentor: G. Ostir
Current Position: Associate Professor, Physical Therapy, UTMB
Christopher Fry, BS (2007-2011)
Academic Background: Exercise Physiology
Dissertation: Muscle metabolism and physiology related to exercise, diabetes and aging
Mentor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Nutrition and Metabolism, UTMB
Rebecca Galloway, MS, PT (2008-2013)
Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Dissertation: Inpatient rehabilitation outcomes among patients with debility
Current Position: Associate Professor, Physical Therapy, UTMB
Erin Glynn, MS (2006-2010)
Academic Background: Exercise Physiology
Dissertation: Physical activity and nutritional intake on skeletal muscle protein turnover
Mentor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Sr Scientist, Beachbody LLC, Santa Monica, CA
Aaron Gray, MS (2012-2014)
Academic Background: Medicine / Biomechanics
Dissertation: Oral contraceptive use and ligamentous injury incidence in females
Mentor: J. Baillargeon
Current Position: Resident, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Health System
David Gundermann, MS (2009-2012)
Academic Background: Exercise Physiology
Dissertation: Mechanisms of blood flow restriction exercise in skeletal muscle adaptations
Mentor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Chief Scientific Officer, Blue Star Nutraceuticals, Gainesville, FL
Catherine Hay, MS (2014-2018)
Academic Background: Occupational Therapy
Dissertation: Impact of gender, age and performance on stroke survivor's goal conceptualization and prioritization.
Mentor: T. Reistetter
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Texas Women's University
Jessica Jarvis, BM (2014-2017)

Academic Background: Music Therapy
Dissertation: "Influences of cohort differences and positive emotion on the relationship between cognition and disability in activities of daily living among older Mexican Americans"
Mentor: J. Graham
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Illinois at Chicago
Mary Ellen Kuhlmann, MS, OT (2003-2008)
Academic Background: Occupational Therapy
Dissertation: Acculturation on health outcomes in Mexican Americans
Mentor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Occupational Therapist, Houston, TX
Kay Kulkarni, MS (2012-2016)
Academic Background: Occupational Therapy
Dissertation: Effect of obesity on outcomes following inpatient rehabilitation for hip/knee arthroplasty among Medicare beneficiaries with osteoarthritis
Mentor: S. Al Snih
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, UTMB
Amit Kumar, MS (2011-2015)
Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Dissertation: Comorbidity measures for predicting post-acute rehabilitation outcomes
Mentor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Northern Arizona University
Cheryl Lehman, PhD, MSN (2002-2005)
Academic Background: Rehabilitation Nursing
Dissertation: Disabled women with impaired mobility
Mentor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Lehman Consulting, LLC, (retired UTHSC)
Koyya Lewis, BS (2013-2017)
Academic Background: Athletic Training
Dissertation: "TAME Health: Testing Activity Monitors' Effect on Health"
Mentor: L. Lyons
Current Position: Fitness Research Manager, Beachbody
Ioannis Malagaris, MSc (2014-2020)

Academic Background: Dietetics, Sports Nutrition
Dissertation: Effect of protein intake on amino acid kinetics in severely burned children and methodological improvements of enrichment quantification in stable isotope metabolic studies
Mentor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position:
Corron Marks, BS (2002-2006)
Academic Background: Health Psychology
Dissertation: Depressive symptomatology in women with disabilities
Mentor: G. Weaver
Current Position: Researcher/Acting Director, Federal Block Grants, Enterprise Transformation Office, Children's Health System of Texas
Takayuki Nakamura, PhD (2000-2004)
Academic Background: Biomedical Engineering
Dissertation: Upper limb function in people with acquired brain injury
Mentor: R. Patterson
Current Position: Research & Development, DePuy Synthes, Johnson & Johnson
Candice Osborne, MOT (2011-2015)
Academic Background: Occupational Therapy
Dissertation: Burn outcome measures and burn injury model systems data using ICF, disability and health
Mentor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Efstathia Polychronopoulou (2015-2021)
Academic Background: Mathematics
Dissertation: Predictors of long-term musculoskeletal outcomes from pediatric burn injury
Mentor: Y. Kuo
Current Position:
Paul Reidy, MS (2010-2015)
Academic Background: Exercise Physiology
Dissertation: Protein blend supplementation following resistance exercise on skeletal muscle growth and strength
Mentor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Utah
Helen Rogers, MA, PT (2002-2006)
Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Dissertation: Adaptive balance strategies in older and young adults
Mentor: R. Cromwell
Current Position: Associate Professor, Physical Therapy, UTMB
Gary Seale, MS (2007-2010)
Academic Background: Psychology
Dissertation: Positive emotion and functional status following stroke rehabilitation in older adults
Mentor: G. Ostir
Current Position: Regional Director of Clinical Services, Centre for Neuro Skills
Jaspreet Sodhi (2015-2019)

Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Dissertation: Pain in older adults and functional outcomes
Mentor: S. Al Snih
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, St. Jude's Hospital
Monica Watford, MA, MOT (2010-2016)
Academic Background: Occupational Therapy
Dissertation: Inpatient rehabilitation Outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury
Mentor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Associate Clinical Professor, Texas Women's University, Dallas TX
Rodney Welsh, MS, PT, OTR (2007-2015)
Academic Background: Physical & Occupational Therapy
Dissertation: Re-hospitalization of patients following lower extremity joint replacement
Mentor: J. Graham
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy, UTMB
Dana Wild, BS, PT (2006-2009)
Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Dissertation: Outcomes of PERCS surgery for Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Mentor: C. Baker
Current Position: Associate Professor, Physical Therapy, UTMB

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PhD Program Program Faculty Current Students Former Students

Former PhD Students

Rehab PhD Students

Martha Acosta, MS, PT (2003-2007)

William Amonette, MA (2007-2011)

Jason Bentley (2017-2021)

Saad Bindawas, MHSc (2006-2009)

Michael Borack, MS (2011-2015)

Julianna Bores-Dean, MS (2016-2019)

Regina Buccello, MS (2003-2007)

Pei-Fen Chang, PhD, OTR (2001-2005)

Tony Chao, MS (2012-2016)

Ann Charness, MS, PT (2006-2013)

Maria Chondronikola, MS (2011-2015)

Carrie Ciro, MHS (2007-2010)

John DeWitt, MS (2002-2006)

Kirk English, MA (2007-2012)

Steve Fisher, MS, PT (2004-2008)

Christopher Fry, BS (2007-2011)

Rebecca Galloway, MS, PT (2008-2013)

Erin Glynn, MS (2006-2010)

Aaron Gray, MS (2012-2014)

David Gundermann, MS (2009-2012)

Catherine Hay, MS (2014-2018)

Jessica Jarvis, BM (2014-2017)

Mary Ellen Kuhlmann, MS, OT (2003-2008)

Kay Kulkarni, MS (2012-2016)

Amit Kumar, MS (2011-2015)

Cheryl Lehman, PhD, MSN (2002-2005)

Koyya Lewis, BS (2013-2017)

Ioannis Malagaris, MSc (2014-2020)

Corron Marks, BS (2002-2006)

Takayuki Nakamura, PhD (2000-2004)

Candice Osborne, MOT (2011-2015)

Efstathia Polychronopoulou (2015-2021)

Paul Reidy, MS (2010-2015)

Helen Rogers, MA, PT (2002-2006)

Gary Seale, MS (2007-2010)

Jaspreet Sodhi (2015-2019)

Monica Watford, MA, MOT (2010-2016)

Rodney Welsh, MS, PT, OTR (2007-2015)

Dana Wild, BS, PT (2006-2009)

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