Houston PhD Candidates

Headshot of Habeeblai Adewale

Habeeblai Adewale

Chair: Wayne Brewer, PhD
Collaborators: Rupal Patel, PhD; Peggy Landrum, PhD
External Collaborator: Greg Marchetti, PhD

Study: 
What are the factors that affect career satisfaction for physical therapists who practice in the United States
Education: BS in Kinesiology, Texas Tech University; Doctor of Physical Therapy, Texas State University
Residence: Katy, Texas

portrait shot of Amy Barbuto

Amy Barbuto

Chair: Katy Mitchell, PhD
Collaborators: Christina Bickley, PhD; Alyssa Fiss, PhD; Eric Dugan, PhD

Study: TBD
Education: 
BS, Texas A&M University; Doctor of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman’s University, Houston, TX
Residence: The Woodlands, Texas

profile picture of Elise Bjork

Elise Bjork

Chair: TBD
Collaborators: TBD

Study: Teaching Social Determinants of Health in Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs
Education: 
BS in Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin; Doctor of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University - Houston
Residence: The Woodlands, Texas

headshot of Katherine Franklin

Katherine Franklin

Chair: Carolyn DaSilva, PhD
Collaborators: Wayne Brewer, PhD, Rupal Patel, PhD

Study: Accessibility accommodations on the National Physical Therapy
Examination: An interpretive phenomenology pilot study
Education: BS in Kinesiology, Texas A&M University; Doctor of Physical Therapy, Texas State University
Residence: San Antonio, Texas
headshot of Carmen L. Kelley

Carmen L. Kelley

Chair: Christina Bickley, PhD
Collaborators: Katy Mitchell, PhD, Jenifer Dice, ScD

Study: Toe Walking in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Education: BA in Biology, Southwestern University; MSPT in Physical Therapy, Texas Woman’s University
Residence: Houston, Texas

profile picture of Elizabeth Larkin

Elizabeth Larkin

Chair: Carolyn DaSilva, PhD, DSc
Collaborators: Rupal Patel, PhD; Wayne Brewer, PhD

Study: Exploring the Long COVID Experience Among Healthcare Professionals and the Impact on Job Performance and Quality of Life
Education: BS in Biology, Texas A&M University; Doctor of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University (Houston)
Residence: Houston, Texas

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Angela Leis

Chair: Katy Mitchell, PhD
Collaborators: Christina Bickley, PhD; Jenifer Dice, ScD

Study: TBD
Education: Bachelor's of Music, Oklahoma City University; Doctor of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University
Residence: Houston, Texas

profile picture of Carol Myers

Carol Myers

Chair: Carolyn Da Silva
Collaborators: Amanda Arnold, Jennifer Dice

Study: The Effects of COVID-19 on PT Student Clinical Outcomes
Education: BS in Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University; Doctor of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Houston
Residence: Katy, Texas

Lindsay Perry

Lindsay Perry

Chair: Katy Mitchell, PhD
Collaborators: Christina Bickley, PhD

Study: Assessment of mobility using the Revised High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT-r) in Individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Education: Bachelor of Health Science, University of Florida; Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Florida
Residence: St. Augustine, Florida

Rudie Spigarelli

Rudie Spigarelli

Chair: Rupal Patel, PhD
Collaborators: Katy Mitchell, PhD; Carolyn DaSilva, PhD
External CollaboratorDr. Katie Siengsukon

Study:
 What Affects DPT Students' Sleep? A Mixed Methods Study of the status and factors that impact sleep quality of DPT students in the US
Study: Examination of vestibular rehabilitation education and practice patterns.
Education: BS, Texas State University; Exercise and Sports Science; Doctor of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University
Residence: Austin, Texas

Page last updated 10:37 AM, October 15, 2025