Division of Rehabilitation Sciences

Martha Acosta, PhD, PT (2007)

Research: Falls in Mexican American older adults
Supervisor: B. Protas
Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Current Position: Associate Professor, Physical Therapy, UTHSC San Antonio

Soham Al Snih, MD, PhD (2005-2007)

Academic Background: Medicine, Rheumatology
Research: Falls in Mexican American older adults
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism & Rehabilitation Sciences, UTMB

Michael Borack, PhD (2016)

Academic Background: Kinesiology
Research: Amino acid sensing in muscle: role of lysosome and effect of protein supplementation
Supervisor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for the Study of Aging & Human Development, Duke University Medical Center

Pei-Fen Chang, PhD, OTR (2005-2007)

Academic Background: Occupational Therapy
Research: Satisfaction with rehabilitation outcomes
Supervisor: G. Ostir
Current Position: Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University

Nai Wei Chen, PhD (2012-2013)

Academic Background: Statistics
Research: Generalized linear mixed models, large datasets
Supervisor: A. Karmarkar / K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Sr. Biostatistician, Beaumont Hospital

Rachel Deer, PhD (2013-2014)

Academic Background: Biomedical Sciences
Research: Physiological factors that modulate vascular function
Supervisor: E. Volpi
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism & Rehabilitation Sciences, UTMB

Carlos Diaz Venegas, PhD (2012-2015)

Academic Background: Sociology/Demography
Research: Marginalization and mortality rates
Supervisor: R. Wong
Current Position: Research Scientist, Max Planck Institute, Germany

Jared Dickinson, PhD (2009-2012)

Academic Background: Human Bioenergetics
Research: Human skeletal muscle protein synthesis
Current Position: Associate Professor, Clinical & Exercise Physiology, Central Washington University

Hans Dreyer, PhD, PT (2004-2007)

Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Research: Satellite cell activation during anabolic therapies
Supervisor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Associate Professor, Human Physiology, University of Oregon

Micah Drummond, PhD (2006-2008)

Academic Background: Exercise Science
Research: Muscular adaptations to resistance exercise
Supervisor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Professor, Physical Therapy, University of Utah

Steve Fisher, PhD, PT (2008)

Academic Background: Rehabilitation Sciences
Research: Functional assessments in elderly, post-discharge outcomes
Supervisor: G. Ostir
Current Position: Professor, Physical Therapy, UTMB

Elfego Galvan, PhD (2015-2017)

Research: Creatine supplementation, body composition and exercise performance
Supervisor: D. Paddon-Jones
Academic Background: Exercise Physiology

Vera Gonzales, PhD (1999-2003)

Academic Background: Clinical Psychology
Research: Rehabilitation outcomes
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Private practice, Sugarland, TX

Erin Glynn, PhD (2010)

Academic Background: Exercise Physiology
Research: Physical activity & nutritional intake on skeletal muscle protein turnover
Supervisor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Vice President, Research & Development, Unicity International

Ted Graber, PhD (2015-2019)

Academic Background: Rehabilitation Science
Research: Age-related neuromuscular decline and resistance training
Supervisor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Assistant Professor, East Carolina University

James Graham, PhD, DC (2006-2008)

Academic Background: Rehabilitation Science, Chiropractic
Research: Rehabilitation outcomes, functional assessment
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Professor & Director, Center for Community Partnerships, Colorado State University

Lori Griffin, PhD (2002-2004)

Academic Background: Biomechanics / motor control
Research: Motor control and dynamic systems
Supervisor: R. Cromwell
Current Position: Consulting, Movement Sciences, Inc.

Patricia Heyn, PhD (2003-2004)

Academic Background: Psychology/ Education
Research: Cognitive rehabilitation
Supervisor: B. Abreu
Current Position: Associate Professor, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Medicine

Ickpyo Hong, PhD (2016-2017)

Research: Comparing disability levels in adults with chronic conditions
Creatine supplementation, body composition and exercise performance
Supervisor: T. Reistetter
Academic Background: Health & Rehabilitation Science
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, Yonsei University

Amol Karmarkar, PhD (2009-2010)

Academic Background: Occupational Therapy
Research: Rehabilitation outcomes
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Professor, PM&R, Virginia Commonwealth University

Shilpa Krishnan, PT, PhD (2014-2016)

Academic Background: Rehabilitation Sciences
Research: Patient-centered outcomes, Traumatic spinal cord injury
Supervisor: T. Reistetter
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy, Emory University

Amit Kumar, PhD (2016)

Academic Background: Physical Therapy
Research: Comorbidity Measures for Predicting Post-Acute Rehabilitation Outcomes
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy, Northern Arizona State University

Brad Lambert, PhD (2013-2015)

Academic Background: Kinesiology
Research: Physiology responses to endurance and resistance exercise
Supervisor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Research Scientist, Dept. of Orthopedics, Houston Methodist Hospital

Emily Lantz, PhD (2012-2015)

Academic Background: Nutrition Science
Research: Muscle metabolism and intestinal function
Supervisor: D. Paddon-Jones
Current Position: Research Scientist, Nutrition, Metabolism & Rehabilitation Sciences, UTMB

Chih-Ying (Cynthia) Li, PhD (2014-2017)

Research: Health Services Research, Functional Outcome Measurement, Post-Acute Care
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Academic Background: Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
Current Position: Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, UTMB

Melodee Mancuso, PhD (2001-2002)

Academic Background: Counseling Psychology
Research: Rehabilitation outcomes
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Academic & Career Development Consultant

Taylor Marcel, PhD (1999-2001)

Academic Background: Exercise Science / Motor Control
Research: Muscle metabolism, exercise
Supervisor: R. Urban

Meredith Masel, PhD (2007-2009)

Academic Background: Sociomedical Sciences
Research: Cognitive function, health behavior among older Mexican Americans
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Program Manager, Oliver Center, UTMB

Joni Mettler, PhD (2010-2012)

Academic Background: Kinesiology
Research: Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Supervisor: D. Paddon-Jones
Current Position: Associate Professor, Health & Human Performance, Texas State University

J. Addie Middleton, PhD (2015-2016)

Academic Background: Exercise Science / Rehabilitation Science
Research: Outcomes measures in older adults
Supervisor: J. Graham
Current Position: Clinician Scientist, New England Geriatric Research Education & Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System

Annalisa Na, PT, PhD, DPT, OCS (2017-2020)

Academic Background: Biomechanics and Movement Sciences
Research: Biomechanical influences on physical function in knee osteoarthritis
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Medicine, Drexler University

Craig Porter, PhD (2012-2013)

Academic Background: Skeletal Muscle Physiology
Research: Muscle biology and burns
Supervisor: L. Sidossis
Current Position: Associate Professor, Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Paul Reidy, PhD (2015)

Academic Background: Exercise Physiology
Research: Protein Blend Supplementation following Resistance Exercise on Skeletal Muscle Growth and Strength
Supervisor: B. Rasmussen
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Kinesiology & Health, Miami University

Rafael Samper-Ternent, MD (2007-2013)

Academic Background: Medicine
Research: Frailty, cognitive decline
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, UTMB

Archana Sangole, PhD (2003-2005)

Academic Background: Engineering / Biomechanics
Research: Biomedical modeling, Biomechanics
Supervisor: B. Abreu and R. Patterson
Current Position: Mechanical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal, Canada

Diane Stoebner-May, PhD (2001-2003)

Academic Background: Psychology
Research: Health related quality of life among older Mexican Americans
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Psychology, Sam Houston State University

Maria Swartz, PhD, MPH, RD, LD (2014-2017)

Academic Background: Behavioral Sciences
Research: Health-related quality of life in childhood cancer survivors
Supervisor: L. Lyons
Current Position:  Assistant Professor, Pediatric Research, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

T. Brock Symons, PhD (2004-2007)

Academic Background: Exercise Science Physiology
Research: Eccentric exercise in older adults
Supervisor: B. Protas and D. Paddon-Jones
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Counselling, Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M, San Antonio

Srinivas Tepalla, MD, MPH (2013-2015)

Academic Background: Health Services Research / Public Health
Research: Large database research, Biomarkers for risk of cardiovascular disease
Supervisor: K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Epidemiologist, The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, Australia

Dillon Walker, PhD (2010-2012)

Academic Background: Animal Growth and Nutrition
Research: Human muscle biology utilizing cell culture and microscopy
Current Position: Research Assistant Professor, Health and Kinesiology, Texas A & M University

Christina Yfanti, PhD (2011-2012)

Academy Background: Health Sciences
Research: Muscle and tissue metabolism related to nutrition and physical activity
Supervisor: L. Sidosis
Current Position: Clinical Scientist, Centre for Human Drug Research, Netherlands

Ling Zhang, MD (1999-2002)

Academic Background: Medicine
Research: Rehabilitation outcomes
Supervisor: B. Abreu and K. Ottenbacher
Current Position: Lab Manager, Hsieh Laboratory, UT Southwestern