Shape the future of rehabilitation
We train and mentor professionals - scientists - to conduct research in health and rehabilitation-related fields and who want to develop their clinical research skills. In our PhD program, join outstanding clinicians, engineers and other masters prepared individuals working to find new ways to improve the lives of patients and make a contribution to rehabilitation science.
Our Program
Become an outstanding rehabilitation scientist working to find new ways to improve the lives of patients. Our PhD program prepares you to conduct high-quality rehabilitation research in academic, research, and/or healthcare settings.
Degree Programs

Unique
One of fewer than 20 such programs in the country, the MGH Institute program provides students the opportunity to work with internationally renowned experts in the heart of the U.S. medical community.

Interdisciplinary Composition
A hallmark of the program is the interdisciplinary composition of its faculty, curriculum, and student body. Students come from a mix of rehabilitation-related disciplines, including but not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, rehabilitation nursing, and/or physiatry/rehabilitation medicine.

Careers & Outcomes
Graduates from the program are well prepared to pursue a research-oriented career in academic, research, and/or healthcare settings.
Our Executive Committee
Our interdisciplinary faculty includes leaders in rehabilitation from the MGH Institute’s academic disciplines, as well as those at Harvard Medical School, MIT, Mass General Brigham (Brigham and Women's, Massachusetts General, and Spaulding Rehabilitation hospitals), and other prestigious Boston-area institutions.

Professor, Physical Therapy Director of the Brain Recovery Lab Director of the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Program
Professor, Physical Therapy Director of the Brain Recovery Lab Director of the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Program
- tkimberley@mghihp.edu
- (617) 643-9237
- B79/96 – Office 221
Associate Professor Occupational Therapy Toward an All-Inclusive Jordan
- ralheresh@mgh.harvard.edu
- (617) 643-0605
- Shouse - 263

Chief Scientific Advisor Matina Souretis Horner Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences Director of the Speech and Feeding Disorders Lab Office of Provost Communication Sciences and Disorders
Chief Scientific Advisor Matina Souretis Horner Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences Director of the Speech and Feeding Disorders Lab Office of Provost Communication Sciences and Disorders
- jgreen2@mghihp.edu
- (617) 945-3624
- Center for Health & Rehabilitation Research, Building 79/96 – Office 213

Director of the SAiL Literacy Lab Professor Communication Sciences and Disorders Research: SAiL Literacy Lab
Director of the SAiL Literacy Lab Professor Communication Sciences and Disorders Research: SAiL Literacy Lab
- thogan@mghihp.edu
- (617) 724-1054
- Center for Health & Rehabilitation Research, Building 79/96 – Office 211

Interim SHRS Dean, Chair, Professor Communication Sciences and Disorders School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Interim SHRS Dean, Chair, Professor Communication Sciences and Disorders School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- mlnicholas@mghihp.edu
- (617) 726-0685
- Shouse - 422

Professor and Associate Dean of Research Jacques Mohr Chair Nursing
Professor and Associate Dean of Research Jacques Mohr Chair Nursing
- rlopez@mghihp.edu
- (617) 726-1015
- Shouse 216
Professor Physical Therapy
- pplummer@mghihp.edu
- (617) 724-3103
- Shouse - 408
Professor, Occupational Therapy Cancer Rehabilitation (CaRe) Lab
- klyons2@mghihp.edu
- (617) 643-5372
- Building 79/96, Room 217

Associate Professor, Associate Director PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Program Physical Therapy
Associate Professor, Associate Director PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Program Physical Therapy
- etownsend@mghihp.edu
- (617) 724-6345
- B34 - 118
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Research Opportunities
Prospective students should identify a potential Research Mentor who is willing to work with them as part of the pre-application process.