Houston PhD Candidates

Adewale, Habeeblai

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

Barbuto, Amy

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

Bjork, Elise

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

Franklin, Katherine

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

Kelley, Carmen L.

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

Larkin, Elizabeth

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

Leis, Angela

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

Perry, Lindsay

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

Ratoza, Madeline

Chair: Rupal Patel, PhD
Collaborators: Katy Mitchell, PhD and Wayne Brewer, PhD
External Collaborator: Dr. Julia Chevan

Study: Healthcare Provider Shortage Areas in Rehabilitation for Texas Using Population Health Data
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Colby College; Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of California, San Francisco and San Francisco State University 
Residence: Austin, Texas 

Spigarelli, Rudie

Chair: Rupal Patel, PhD
Collaborators: Katy Mitchell, PhD; Carolyn DaSilva, PhD
External Collaborator: Dr. 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: B.S., Texas State University; Exercise and Sports Science; Doctor of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University
Residence: Austin, Texas

Ziegler, Kelsey

Chair: Dr. Carolyn DaSilva

Study: TBD
Education: BS in Movement Science, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX; Doctor of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX
Residence: Houston, Texas