PhD Faculty

*Martin Rice, PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Professor and Director
All Campuses
mrice7@twu.edu
940-898-2803

Education: BS, Pennsylvania State University; MS, Western Michigan University; PhD, Pennsylvania State University

Special Areas and Research Interests: Motor learning and motor control strategies that promote enhanced learning and efficient movement dynamics with respect to therapeutic occupation; “meaning” and its influence upon human movement and behavior; safe patient handling issues including required forces and upon caregivers during patient repositioning and transfers via manual techniques, mechanical lift systems.

*Pei-Fen Chang, PhD, OTR

Professor and Associate Director
Houston Center
pchang@twu.edu
713-794-2132

Education: BS, National Taiwan University; MS, in Gerontology, University of Southern California; PhD, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Patient satisfaction and quality of life in persons with disabilities; Rehabilitation outcomes; Fall prevention for older adults in the community; Health disparities

*Heather Roberts, PhD, OT

Associate Professor and Associate Director
Denton Campus
hroberts3@twu.edu
940-898-2801

Education: BSOT, Saint Louis University; MS Healthcare Administration, University of Texas at Arlington; PhD Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman’s University

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Pediatrics; cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities; constraint induced movement therapy; promoting evidence based practice

*Asha Vas, PhD, OT, CBIST

Professor and Associate Director
Dallas Center
avas@twu.edu

Education: BS, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India; MOT, St. Catherine’s University, St. Paul, Minnesota; PhD, University of Texas at Dallas

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Neuroscience, Traumatic Brain Injury, Translational Research, Cognitive Assessments, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Technology

*Patricia Bowyer, EdD, MS, OTR, FAOTA

Professor
Houston Center
pbowyer@twu.edu
713-794-2130

Education: BA, Milligan College; Certificate in OT, Eastern Kentucky University; MS, Eastern Kentucky University; EdD, East Tennessee State University; Postdoctoral Research Affiliate, Johns Hopkins University; Postdoctoral Research associate, University of Illinois at Chicago

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Children and Youth as it relates to the Model of Human Occupation; assessment development specific to the Short Child Occupational Profile and Child Occupational Self Assessment as well as other MOHO based pediatric assessments; treatment effectiveness that is based on the Model of Human Occupation

*Catherine Cooper Hay, PhD, OTR

PhD Coordinator/Associate Professor
Houston Campus
chay1@twu.edu
713-794-2112

Education: BS, University of California at Santa Barbara; MS, Tufts University; PhD, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Stroke and brain injury; patient centered outcomes in rehabilitation; cognition; sex differences in rehabilitation intervention and outcomes; Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist

*Noralyn Pickens, PhD, OT, FAOTA, FNAP

Professor and Associate Dean for Interprofessional Education and Strategic Initiatives
College of Health Sciences and College of Nursing
npickens@twu.edu

Education: BS, Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; MS, Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; PhD, Kinesiology: Therapeutic Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Aging in place and end of life care; specializing in qualitative research and mixed-methodologies

*Gail A. Poskey, PhD, OTR, CNT

Associate Professor 
Dallas Center
gposkey@twu.edu
214-689-7763

Education: BS, East Central University; MOT, Texas Woman’s University; PhD, Texas Woman’s University

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Pediatrics, Pediatric TBI and SCI, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), fatherhood, evidence based practice, and prevention of abusive head trauma

Stefanie Casey, PhD, OTR/L

Assistant Professor
Denton Campus
scasey3@twu.edu
940-898-2801

Education: BA Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington; MOT Texas Woman's University; PhD Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Pediatric critical and acute care; standardized performance-based outcomes; evidence-based practice; functionally-based rehabilitation strategies for those diagnosed with heart conditions as children.

Lisa Griggs-Stapleton, PhD, OTR

Assistant Professor
Dallas Campus
lgriggsstapleton@twu.edu
214-689-7761

Education: BS, University of Texas at Arlington; MA, The Catholic University of America; MOT, University of New Mexico; PhD, Texas Woman’s University

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: ADHD in children and adults, Improving health care through the use of large/big data; Qualitative research techniques, and Women's Health.

Christine E. Haines, PhD, OTR

Assistant Professor
Houston Campus
chaines@twu.edu
713-794-2128

Education: BS, Texas A&M University; MA, Health Psychology, Texas State University; MBA, Strayer University; PhD Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University 

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Polytrauma; Combat Service Member and  Veteran Healthcare Needs; Occupational Identity; International Development and Aid (serving populations directly affected by conflict)

Lou Ann Hintz, PhD, OTR

PhD Coordinator/Assistant Professor
Dallas Center
lhintz@twu.edu
214-689-7782

Education: BS, Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University; MA, Occupational Therapy Administration, Texas Woman's University; PhD, Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman’s University

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Children and youth, school-based occupational therapy, multi-tiered systems of support, and occupational adaptation

Kial-Ann Rasmussen, PhD, OTR/L

Assistant Professor
krasmussen1@twu.edu
940-898-2801

Education: BS, Mathematics, University of Minnesota Duluth; MOT, University of Missouri; PhD, Health and Rehabilitation Science, University of Missouri

Specialty Areas and Research Interests:  ALS and other spinal cord diseases, customizable assistive technology fabrication, 3d printing, evaluation and measurement

Anne Sullivan, PhD, OTR

Assistant Professor
Dallas Campus
asullivan6@twu.edu
Anne Sullivan
214-689-7754

Education: BA, College of Wooster;  MS University of Rochester; MOT, Texas Woman's University, PhD., Texas Woman's University 

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Transition to adulthood and independent living for adults with autism

Tanya Elizabeth Thomas, PhD, OTR

Assistant Professor
Houston Campus
tthomas61@twu.edu 
713-794-2134

Education: BS, Christian Medical College, India; MS, Colorado State University;  PhD, University of Western Ontario

Specialty Areas and Research Interests: Qualitative research; participatory action research; creative research methodologies; children and youth; children with disabilities; occupation-based social transformation; global health