Houston Center Faculty

Fiss, Alyssa LaForme, PT, PhD
Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist
Director
Professor
School of Physical Therapy
afiss@twu.edu

Education: B.S., The Ohio State University, Physical Therapy; M.P.T., The Ohio State University, Physical Therapy; Ph.D., University of Kentucky, Rehabilitation Science
Primary teaching area: Research methods, Grant writing
Area of research/expertise: Developmental trajectories for children with cerebral palsy; intervention to improve adaptive behavior of children with disabilities; Intervention to support developmental skill acquisition in children with Down syndrome
Additional information: Alyssa Fiss’ Curriculum vitae

Huang, Han-Hung (Floyd), PT, PhD
Interim Associate Director, Associate Professor
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
hhuang3@twu.edu

Education: B.S., Chung Shan Medical University, Physical Therapy; PhD, University of Kansas Medical Center, Rehabilitation Science
Primary teaching area: Clinical management of the musculoskeletal system, therapeutic exercise and intervention, and clinical management in internal medicine
Areas of research/expertise: Diabetes and physical therapy (exercise, biophysical agents, and health promotion on social media)

Arnold, Amanda, PT, PhD
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
Associate Professor
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
aarnold10@twu.edu

Education: B.S., Texas Woman’s University; D.P.T., Texas Woman’s University; PhD, University of South Carolina
Primary teaching area: Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy – Lower Quarter and Upper Quarter
Areas of research/expertise: Assess how physical measures, such as anthropometric size, flexibility and muscle strength impact injury risk and athletic performance across the lifespan; examine how population-specific risk factors, such as sport specialization and physical growth and development, impact injury risk and athletic performance in youth and adolescent athletes
Additional Information: Amanda Arnold’s Curriculum Vitae

Bhatt, Abhinit (Abhi), PT, DPT
Fellow American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy
Assistant Professor - Part-Time
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
abhatt@twu.edu

Education: B.S., University of Texas at Austin, Mechanical Engineering; DPT, Texas Woman's University
Primary teaching area: Practice management I & III, assist in lab portion of musculoskeletal physical therapy - upper & lower quarter, assist with clinical education
Areas of research/expertise: Orthopedic and manual therapy; Leadership and management

Bickley, Christina, PT, PhD
Board of Certification Orthotist
Certified NeuroDevelopmental Treatment
Research Coordinator
Associate Professor
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
cbickley@twu.edu

Education: B.A., State University of New York, Psychology; B.S., State University of New York, Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Physical Therapy; M.H.S., University of Indianapolis, Physical Therapy; PhD, Texas Woman's University, Physical Therapy
Primary teaching area: Pediatrics; Development across the lifespan; Motion Analysis & instrumentation; Gait
Areas of research/expertise: : Pediatrics, Balance, Orthotic Intervention, Motion Analysis, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), Pedagogy and IPE
Additional information: Christina Bickley's Curriculum vitae

Brewer, Wayne, PT, PhD, MPH
Board-Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy 
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Professor
Post-Professional Program Coordinator
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center 
wbrewer@twu.edu

Education: B.S., University of Pittsburgh, Physical Therapy (Cum Laude); M.P.H., University of Pittsburgh, Public Health; Ph.D. Texas Woman's University, Physical Therapy
Primary teaching area: Cardiopulmonary, Health Promotion and Wellness, and Exercise Testing / Prescription
Areas of research/expertise: Effect of behavioral education on physical activity levels for individuals with chronic low back pain and obesity, physical activity, measurement, promotion
Additional information: Wayne Brewer's Curriculum vitae 

Da Silva, Carolyn, PT, DSc
Board-Certified Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapist
Professor
Professional Program (Entry-Level DPT) Coordinator
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
cdasilva@twu.edu

Education: B.A., Rice University, Biology and Psychology; M.S., Texas Woman's University, Physical Therapy; D.Sc., University of Alabama, Physical Therapy 
Primary teaching area: Neurological rehabilitation sequence in the entry-level/professional and post-professional programs
Areas of research/expertise: Post-polio syndrome, aging with disability
Additional information: Carolyn Da Silva's Curriculum vitae

Dice, Jenifer, PT, ScD,
Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist
Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist
Therapeutic Pain Specialist
Assistant Professor
Assistant Director of Clinical Education
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
jdice@twu.edu

Education: B.S. Northeastern University, Physical Therapy; Sc.D., Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Physical Therapy
Primary teaching area: Clinical Education; Movement Science; Gross Anatomy
Area of research/expertise: Pediatrics, manual therapy, Delphi investigation

Flynn, Stacy, PT, DPT
Certified Wound Specialist
Assistant Clinical Professor
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
sflynn@twu.edu

Education: B.S., Texas A&M, Zoology; B.S., Texas A&M, Psychology; M.S., Texas Woman's University, Physical Therapy; tDPT, Texas Woman's University, Physical Therapy
Primary teaching area: Clinical Education, Wound Care and Basic PT Skills
Areas of research/expertise: Self-management of chronic illness, Use of popular culture in patient care, interprofessional education, and Wound care

Garcia III, Luciano, PT, ScD
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist
Assistant Professor
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
lgarcia79@twu.edu

Education: B.A., University of Texas Rio Grande Valley- Edinburg, Music Education; M.S., Texas Woman’s University- Houston, Physical Therapy; S.c.D., Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Physical Therapy
Primary teaching area: Gross Anatomy for PT and OT; Examination, Evaluation, and Outcomes; Therapeutic Exercise
Areas of research/expertise: Orthopedics, Movement analysis, Single leg balance, Blood flow restriction, Electromyography

Palumbos, Zachary, PT, DPT, ScD
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Fellow American Association of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists
Assistant Clinical Professor
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center

Education: University of Utah, Exercise Sports Science; D.P.T., Virginia Commonwealth University, Physical Therapy; Sc.D., Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Physical Therapy
Primary teaching area: Therapeutic exercise, orthopedics
Areas of research/expertise: Orthopedic and sports related injuries, treatment of the shoulder joint complex, treatment of the ankle complex, sports concussion, return to sport paradigm

Patel, Rupal M., PT, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
rpatel@twu.edu

Education:  B.S., Texas Woman's University; M.S., Texas Woman's University; Ph.D. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Health Promotion and Wellness
Primary teaching area: DPT curriculum: Practice Management Issues I and II, Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation, and Professional Development for the PT; Neuromuscular PT I and II on clinical content related to concussion, balance, vestibular rehabilitation and clinical integration; Health Promotion & Wellness I and II.
Areas of research/expertise: Health promotion, lifestyle modification, diabetes risk factor reduction, use of PRECEDE-PROCEED model for health promotion, Social determinants of health, Health disparities
Additional information: Rupal Patel's Curriculum vitae  

Szot, Lauren, PT, DPT
Board-Certified Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
Associate Clinical Professor
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
cszot@twu.edu

Education: B.S., Louisiana State University; M.S., D.P.T., Louisiana State University Health Science Center
Primary teaching area: Professional Practice in PT, Prostheses, Orthoses, and Advanced Gait, Neuromuscular Physical Therapy I, Clinical Integration, Practice Management IV, Clinical Education
Areas of research/expertise: Outcome measures in neurologic physical therapy, Neurologic rehabilitation, Optimizing locomotor outcomes for individuals with neurologic conditions, Knowledge translation, Mentoring practices
Additional information: Lauren Szot's Curriculum vitae

Wilson, Paula, PT, PhD
Assistant Professor
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center

Education: Bachelor of Physical Education (BPhEd), University of Otago, New Zealand; Master of Physical Therapy Studies (MPhtySt), The University of Queensland, Australia; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), The University of Queensland, Australia
Primary teaching area: Neurological physical therapy, Health promotion and wellness
Areas of research/expertise: The benefits of sport and exercise participation for people with neuromusculoskeletal impairment, particularly those with high support needs

Allbritton-Lupo, Daniel, PT, DPT
Board-Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
Supplemental Lab Coordinator
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
dallbrittonlupo@twu.edu

Education: B.S., (Exercise Sports) Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas; D.P.T. (Doctorate of Physical Therapy), University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas
Primary teaching area: Competency Lab Coordinator for the School of PT's Supplemental Learning Lab (SLL)
Areas of research/expertise: Practicing in the inpatient rehab setting, with a focus on care with patients with orthopedic, neurologic, and cardiovascular diagnoses. In addition to clinical practice he has been the clinical instructor for multiple students and has assisted with assorted presentations at Houston Methodist Hospital, such as education on the use of the EKSO exoskeleton for gait training of patients in the inpatient setting. 

Howell, Jessica, PT, DPT
Supplemental Lab Coordinator
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
jhowell3@twu.edu

Education: B.S. United States Military Academy in West Point, NY; D.P.T. (Doctorate of Physical Therapy), Texas Woman's University
Primary teaching area: Competency Lab Coordinator for the School of PT's Supplemental Learning Lab (SLL)
Areas of research/expertise: Works in outpatient settings where she evaluates and treats patients with a variety of physical therapy and medical diagnoses. 

Daugherty, Mary Beth 
Coordinator of Allied Health Applications
School of Physical Therapy
Denton, Texas
mdaugherty@twu.edu
940-898-2460

Martin, Veronica
Business Manager
School of Physical Therapy, Houston Center
Vmartin3@twu.edu
713-794-2068