
PhD '23 Alumni
What year did you start the program?
2019
List your prior degrees and institutions
B.S. Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont 2008
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Vermont 2011
What was your research setting, mentor’s name, and name of lab (if appropriate).
Mentors: Dr. Elise Townsend
What do you think is special about the PhD in RS program here at IHP?
This program provides access to world class faculty mentorship and research facilities to help students develop the skills needed to meet the needs of a rapidly advancing healthcare landscape.
Why did you choose to come to this program rather than a doctoral research program in your specific profession?
I was drawn to the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences program because the opportunity to collaborate and learn with other allied healthcare professionals. The majority of my professional experience has been in interdisciplinary clinics and I feel strongly that this model can optimize patient care and research.
What are your plans & goals now that you have completed your PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences?
I am starting a faculty position at Virginia Commonwealth University where I will be teaching in the Department of Physical Therapy in the College of Health Professions and conducting research in the Muscular Dystropy Translational Research Program in the Department of Neurology, School of Medicine under director Dr. Nicholas Johnson. My research will focus on the development and validation of clinical outcome assessments and biomarkers for individuals with neuromuscular and neurogenetic diseases to support the identification of approriate clinical trial endpoints.