Houston PhD Candidates
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
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
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
Katherine Franklin
Chair: Carolyn DaSilva, PhD
Collaborators: Wayne Brewer, PhD, Rupal Patel, PhD
Examination: An interpretive phenomenology pilot study
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
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
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
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
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
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: 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