Current Students
Education
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy, University of Evansville 2015
- Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science, University of Evansville 2013
Hometown
Newburgh, IN
Research Interests
Adam’s research interest centers on rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, specifically how alterations in visual stimuli affect a patient’s movement patterns. Adam focuses his research on treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and achieve successful return to sport.
Education
- Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency, Marquette University & Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center 2016
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Gannon University 2015
- Bachelor of Science, Sport and Exercise Science, Gannon University 2013
Hometown
Freeport, PA
Research Interests
Andrew is a full time PhD student and a physical therapist with a board certification in neurologic clinical practice. Andrew’s primary area of interest is in vestibular neurophysiology, including the integration of sensory modalities within the central nervous system. Ultimately, Andrew is interested in developing novel methods to evaluate and treat vestibular dysfunction through both basic and applied vestibular research.
Advisors
Dr. Dan Merfeld and Dr. Ajit Chaudhari
PhD Student, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists
Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), School of Medicine, Duke University, 2014
B.S. in Athletic Training, Chapman University, 2011
Home Town
Irvine, CA
Research Interests
Cody is working towards becoming a clinician scientist with a focus on understanding the effects of dry needling on acute and chronic musculoskeletal pathologies. His co-advisors for his PhD training are Dr. Matt Briggs and Dr. James Onate.
Board Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
Education
- Geriatric Residency, The Ohio State University and National Church Residences, 2019
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Marshall University, 2018
- B.S. in Human Development and Family Science, The Ohio State University, 2012
Home Town
Columbus, Ohio
Research Interests
Gabriel is a clinician scientist whose passions include data science, predictive analytics, and health policy. He is working to understand how health and risk of adverse events evolve under the influence of an individuals social determinants of health, comorbidities, and perceptions
Advisor
Dr. Brittany Hand
Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Bellarmine University 2015
Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science, University of Louisville 2011
Hometown
Louisville, Kentucky
Research Interests
Implementation Science and Quality Improvement in Healthcare Systems
Advisor and Lab
Dr. Katie Quatman-Yates
LIFT Lab
Education
- Sports Physical Therapy Residency, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center ‘20
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, Ithaca College ‘18
- Bachelors in Clinical Health Studies, Ithaca College ‘16
Hometown
Oceanside, NY
Research Interests
ACL return to sport assessment and second injuries
Advisor
Dr. Laura Schmitt
Education
Current: PhD student, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
2016 Master of Occupational Therapy with Research Specialization
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
2014 Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, OH
2014 Bachelor of Science, Natural Sciences Concentrated in Biology
Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, OH
Hometown
Marietta, OHInterests
Janell is an occupational therapist with clinical practice experience in adult inpatient and acute care rehabilitation with interest in neurological rehabilitation. Janell’s academic interests are factors that influence patient participation in healthcare recommendations and how mental illness can impact therapeutic engagement and participation. Janell is interested in patient motivational readiness for engagement in rehabilitation/healthcare recommendations, the development of metrics to assess motivation and readiness, and interventions to increase participation and active engagement in healthcare recommendations.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Neuroscience and Psychology, Skidmore College 2013
Hometown
Columbia, CT
Research Interests
Julia is currently enrolled as a dual-degree DPT/PhD student, with anticipated graduate from the physical therapy program in 2018. Julia's research interest is in hippotherapy and its effectiveness as a physical therapy intervention for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Education
- BS athletic training, Mount Union
- MA Sports and Exercise Science, UNC Chapel Hill
Hometown
Grew up in Charleston, WV
Primary Research Interest
Physical activity behavior in children.
Advisor
Dr. Jimmy Onate; works in the MOvES lab with Dr. Jimmy Onate and a part time athletic trainer at Nationwide Children's Hospital
Education
- DPT - Duke University, 2007
- BS - The Ohio State University, 2004
Hometown
Strasburg, OH
Research Interests
Pediatric PT Education, parent enactment of home therapy programs, paternal engagement in therapy, dosing of intervention, motor outcomes in childhood, intervention fidelity
Advisors
Jill Heathcock; working in Dr. Heathcock's lab
Education
- Master of Science in Human Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University 2016
- Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, Michigan State University 2014
Hometown
Holland, MI
Research Interests
Kristen Heitman is a Research Dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Clinical Research Center, and a part-time PhD student in the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences doctoral program at The Ohio State University. Kristen plans to pursue a career in academia, teaching, and mentoring dietetics students. Her research interests include assessment and analysis of dietary patterns, and behavioral interventions for vulnerable populations.
Education
MS in Biomechanics, Ball State University / BA in Exercise Science, Taylor University
Hometown
Kokomo, IN
Research Interests
Nathan’s research interests include investigating psychological and biomechanical factors associated with high performance for traditional and tactical athletes.
Advisors
James Onate; working with Dr. Onate as a Graduate Research Associate with the Human Performance Collaborative; also working as a member of the MOVES Lab.
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Radiological Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, The Ohio State University, 2017
- Master of Science, Allied Sciences, The Ohio State University, 2018;
- Current: PhD Student, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University
Hometown
Marysville, Ohio
Research Interests
Nicole Stigall is a registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and a full time PhD student. Nicole’s interests center around the utilization of ultrasound in preventative medicine and predicting potential risk factors for metabolic conditions and cardiovascular disease. Her primary research focus is the use of ultrasound to analyze visceral fat, subcutaneous fat and carotid arteries in the children. Nicole will be working to expand the concept of cardiovascular disease and other risk factors within the pediatric population.
Advisor
Dr. Kevin Evans; working as Lab Manager for the Laboratory of Investigatory Imaging
Education
- Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, The Ohio State University 2019
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Art, Carnegie Mellon University 2015
Hometown
Kutztown, PA
Research Interests
Sarah’s research focuses on new and emerging interactive media and technology with a focus on video games, virtual simulation, and virtual reality. Using her experience in virtual environments, occupational therapy, rehabilitation engineering, and pediatrics, Sarah hopes to expand the potential for interactive technologies within the field of rehabilitation science.
Education
- B.S. in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Food Sciences from the University of Vermont, 2016
- M.S. in Allied Medicine from The Ohio State University, 2019
Hometown
Pittsfield, Massachusetts (MA)
Research Interests
Steph Fanelli is a registered dietitian and a full-time PhD student in the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences doctoral program at The Ohio State University. In addition, she is pursuing two Graduate Interdisciplinary Specializations: (1) Obesity Sciences; (2) Biomedical, Clinical, and Translational Science. Before coming to Ohio State, Steph conducted research related to food psychology and diet-related behavioral economics. At Ohio State, she utilizes nationally representative data to examine dietary patterns and other lifestyle factors in relation to chronic cardiometabolic disease. Steph is interested in incorporating both biological and behavioral intergenerational factors into her work to explore the intrinsic and extrinsic influences on long-term health outcomes.
Advisor and Lab
Graduate Research Associate in Dr. Christopher Taylor’s lab (advisor)
Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Education
- Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency, Ohio University Division of Physical Therapy/OhioHealth 2019
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, The Ohio State University 2018
- Bachelor of Science, Health Studies, Psychology, University of Findlay 2015
Hometown
Findlay, OH
Research Interests
Tim is interested in quality improvement and implementation science, especially as they relate to outpatient physical therapist practice
Advisor and Lab
Dr. Catherine Quatman-Yates, LIFT Lab
