Research Participation and Funding Opportunities
The School of Health Sciences faculty engage in cutting-edge research matching their experiences and community needs. SHS fosters innovation and collaboration through award opportunities for both faculty and students to engage in meaningful research and present their work state-wide, regionally and nationally.
Highlights include:
- Home-based Older Person Upstreaming Prevention Physical Therapy (HOP-UP-PT)
- Prescription for a Healthy Oakland
- MENA category in federal data collection
- Child and material health in Ghana
- Grip strength to assess cardiometabolic disease risk
- Balance Tracking System (BTrackS)
- Measure of balance in community-dwelling adults
- Biomechanics Ergonomics and Abilities Research (BEAR) Lab
Awards for pilot projects are funded through School and University sources, such as philanthropic donations and events like the annual Healthology Symposium, and then expanded to competitive national and federal awards, grants and more.
Award cycles are led by a Research Award Committee in SHS, and selection is based on a broad array of criteria aligning with the mission and purpose of the award.
- Lindsay Brandt, DScPT, DPT, OMPT, ACSM-CEP — Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy — [email protected]
- Melissa Jones, Ph.D., M.S. — Assistant Professor, Exercise Science
- Paul Jung, Ph.D., MLS(ASCPi), MB(ASCPi), MT(KAMT) — Associate Professor, Medical Laboratory Science
- Oscar Rodriguez-Franco, Ph.D., MPH, MBA, CIH — Assistant Professor, Environmental Health and Safety
- Emily VanWasshenova, Ph.D. — Coordinator and Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
The Thomas L. Simmer, M.D. Faculty Endowment Award recognizes the commitment and accomplishments of a School of Health Sciences’ faculty member who collaborates inter-professionally to establish effective partnerships. Created and supported by SHS BOARD member Dr. Ewa Matuszewski to honor her friend and professional colleague Dr. Tom Simmer, who retired in 2021 from an executive role with Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Michigan, the award celebrates efforts that aim to improve and promote meaningful development in areas such as population health, social determinants of health, public health, health care access, and/or work that creates team building and leadership opportunities for health care professionals.
2025 Awardee
Dr. Laurel Stevenson – Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Prescription for a Healthy Oakland
2024
Dr. Kwame Sakyi – Associate Professor, Public Health
Global health research in Ghana devoted to child and maternal health
The School of Health Sciences provides funding to support its faculty research endeavors, both small-scale/pilot and large-scale studies, through the Seed and Sprout Research Award. This grant encourages community and student collaboration with faculty research projects within the School. Seed and Sprout funded projects often proceed to earn external funding from well-recognized organizations.
2025 Awardee
Dr. Melissa Jones (Dept. of Human Movement Science)
Stigma, Health, Activity in Pregnancy
2024 Awardees
Dr. Myung Choi (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Comparison of the Energy Metabolism During Continuous and Interval Walking in Sedentary Overweight and Obese Individuals
Dr. Joshua Haworth (HMS)
Sequencing of Type II Diabetes Sensory Impairments
Dr. Leila Nuri (HMS)
Region-specific mechanical properties of the patellar tendon in children with cerebral palsy
Dr. Emily Van Wasshenova (Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences — IDH)
Relationships between Health Behavior, Disordered Eating and Mental Health among Collegiate Athletes
2023 Awardees
Dr. Dann Goble (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Factors associated with healthcare utilization for balance problems in community-dwelling adults within the United States
Dr. Joshua Haworth (HMS)
Postural control in individuals with Type 2 diabetes
Dr. Kelley Borton (Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences — IDH)
Understanding nutrition concerns in young women with anorexia
Dr. Dale Telgenhoff (Dept. of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences — CDS)
Trans-epithelial electrical resistance of keratinocytes following claudin-2 knockdown in the epidermis
2022 Awardees
Dr. Kathryn Rougeau (Dept. of Public and Environmental Wellness — PEW)
Affect, Cortisol and Salivary Alpha-Amylase with Passive and Active Cycling
Dr. Shicheng Chen (Dept. of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences — CDS)
Is the Gut Commensal Microbiome of Vector Mosquito Modified by the Endosymbiont Wolbachia?
Dr. Tara Diesbourg (PEW)
Effects of Ergonomics Training on Posture During Simulated Venipuncture
Dr. Rumit Singh Kakar (HMS)
Age-Related Changes in Trunk and Head Control during Balance and Gait and the Implications for Falls
Dr. Emily Van Wasshenova (Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences — IDH)
Life After Sports: A pilot study in OU Student-Athletes Exiting Collegiate Sports
Drs. Chris Wilson and Lori Boright (HMS)
Effect of Robotic Delivery of Physical Activity and Fall Prevention Exercise in Older Adults: A Pilot Study
The School of Health Sciences Dean’s Office provides funds for undergraduate or graduate students who are conducting research with SHS faculty for virtual and/or in-person attendance at professional meetings and conferences to present papers or posters. Applications are reviewed and recommended for awards by the SHS Research Award Committee.
Fall 2025 Awardees
Samuel Aylward (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Hot Ones, Oral Spice Delivery Provokes Changes in Movement Strategies
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Matthew Colletti (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Correlation Between Handgrip and Plantarflexion Strength in Young Adults
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Alyssa Gardner and Jenny Noll (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Sara Arena
The Impact of Acute Care Simulation Training on Physical Therapy Stud ents’ Perceived Preparedness After Terminal Clinical Experiences: A Descriptive Survey
American Physical Therapy Association — Michigan Fall Conference (Gaylord, MI)
Daniel Hamze (Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences — IDH)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Van Wasshenova
Physical Activity in Dog Owners in the Midwest
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Rhianna Hensler (IDH)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Van Wasshenova
Athletic Identity and Disordered Eating in Collegiate Athletes: A Comparative Study
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Mackenzie Korff (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Acute Effects of Ambient Temperature on Postural Control
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Hunter Nawrocki (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Melissa Jones
Associations of Physical Activity Domain with Sleep Quality, Efficiency, and Duration in Early Pregnancy
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Abigail Pierce and Briana Vollick (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jacqueline Scully
Assessment of an Educational Seminar to Improve LGBTQ+ Clinical Competency in Licensed Physical Therapists: A Pre-Post-Intervention Survey
American Physical Therapy Association — Michigan Fall Conference (Gaylord, MI)
Dionne Shell (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kris Thompson
The Impact of Mentoring and Support Relationships on the Journey of Black Physical Therapy Students
American Physical Therapy Association Educational Leadership Conference (Kansas City, MO)
Kassidy Thiel (Dept. of Public and Environmental Wellness — PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kathryn Rougeau
No Stress Physical Activity: How Passive Cycling May Improve Psychological Well Being
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Gracielle Wilhelm (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Balance Performance on a Novel Snowboard Simulator: Free vs Fixed Ankle Conditions
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Winter 2025 Awardees
Idalis Antone (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Improving Early Fall Risk Detection in Type 2 Diabetes
American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Atlanta, GA)
Brianna Breedy, Rachel Cook and Sidney Crick (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Lori Boright
Evaluation of Interprofessional Knowledge and Confidence in Oncology Rehabilitation Seminars in South Africa
American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (Houston, TX)
Jehan Koujane (Dept. of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences — CDS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Sumi Dinda
The Effects of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) on the Expression of Estrogen Receptor alpha and Tumor Suppressor BRCA1 and p53 in Breast Cancer Cells
International Endocrinology Conference (ENDO) (San Francisco, CA)
Guiseppe Marinello (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Sara Arena
Outcomes of Physical Therapist-Led Urinary Health and Fall Risk Education for Older Adults
American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (Houston, TX)
Raquel Yaldo (CDS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Sumi Dinda
The Effects of Tulsi on the Expression of Estrogen Receptor Alpha and Tumor Suppressor Gene BRCA1 in Breast Cancer Cells
International Endocrinology Conference (ENDO) (San Francisco, CA)
Fall 2024
Israa Anwar (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Melissa Jones
Association Between Physical Activity Time and Balance Performance in The Third Trimester of Pregnancy
Midwest Chapter – American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Vineetha Bollina (Dept. of Public and Environmental Wellness — PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Elise Brown
Intra-rater reliability of a new tool for video coding muscle strengthening exercises
Midwest Chapter – American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Kathryn Calleja, Shane Patterson and Hanna Randazzo (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Chris Wilson
Administrative analysis of the Home-based Older Persons Upstreaming Prevention Physical Therapy program: A pilot study
American Physical Therapy Association – Michigan Fall Conference (Southfield, MI)
Kimberly Campbell (PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kate Rougeau
Hate to sweat when you exercise? For enjoyment, you may not have to!
Midwest Chapter – American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Paige Eacker (Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences — IDH)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Van Wasshenova
Disordered eating behavior in collegiate athletes
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Shelby Ferrell, Megan Hare, Arianna Hohner and Josée York (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Melodie Kondratek
Doctor of Physical Therapy student mental health and opinions
American Physical Therapy Association — Michigan Fall Conference (Southfield, MI)
Hailey Flynn, Corinne Vukasovich and Christina Ziskey (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Lindsay Brandt
Patient Experiences with POTS, Ehlers-Danlos, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and Hip Dysplasia: A Descriptive Survey
American Physical Therapy Association – Michigan Fall Conference (Southfield, MI)
Shweta Kapur (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Daniel Goble
Regenerative Rehabilitation, an upcoming Frontier: Advancements in Regenerative Medicine and Implications for Physical Therapy Practice
American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (Houston, TX)
Mackenzie Korff (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
(Re)test reliability of limits of stability testing of persons with Type 2 Diabetes
Midwest Chapter – American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Prapti Patel (PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Elise Brown
Evaluating inter-rater reliability of a novel video coding tool for muscle strengthening exercise sessions
Midwest Chapter – American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Hanna Sandzik (IDH)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Laurel Stevenson
How technology can impact food security: Barriers and facilitators to successful produce prescription program (PPR) implementation
Great Lakes Chapter – Society for Public Health Education Conference (Houghton Lake, MI)
Sherine Shakra (PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Caress Dean
The impact of adverse childhood experiences on cardiovascular health of veterans by race and sex
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting (Minneapolis, MN)
Jonny Simoes (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Multiple axis analysis of force in relation to swimming speed background and significance
Midwest Chapter – American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (Grand Rapids, MI)
Jason Wilson (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Lori Boright
Effect of robotic delivery of physical activity and fall prevention exercise in older adults: A pilot cohort study
American Physical Therapy Association – Michigan Fall Conference (Southfield, MI)
Winter 2024
Garrett Belding (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Knee Crutch Impacts Vertical Ground Reaction Force During Walking Gait
American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting
Hailey Choate (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Custom Shoe Component Improves Static Balance while Wearing a Knee Crutch
American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting
Elena Dibble (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Inverted Balance Relates to Vestibular Mediated Balance Control in a Sport Specific Manner
American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting
Jocelyn Holmberg (Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences — IDH)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Laurel Stevenson
Influences on participant attrition within a Produce Prescription program
Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters Annual Conference
Aisha Zanib (Dept. of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences — CDS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Sumi Dinda
Estrogen-like Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) on Estrogen Receptor (ERα) and Tumor Suppressor Gene (BRCA1) in Breast Cancer Cells
International Endocrinology Conference (ENDO)
Fall 2023
Mariah Gleeson (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Lori Boright
High-velocity Resistance Training Intervention in Women with Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
American Physical Therapy Association — Michigan Fall Conference
Shweta Kapur (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Daniel Goble
Factors Associated with Healthcare Utilization for Balance Problems in Community-Dwelling Adults within the United States: A Traditional Review
American Physical Therapy Association — Michigan Fall Conference
Kaitlyn Lance (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Josh Haworth
Correlation Analysis of Different Limits of Stability Balance Testing Protocols
American College of Sports Medicine Midwest Conference
Christian Maron (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Josh Haworth
Balance Recovers Slowly Over Repeated Knee Crutch Exposure
American College of Sports Medicine Midwest Conference
Tylor Palmer (Dept. of Public and Environmental Wellness — PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Elise Brown
Validity of Testing the Perceived Environment and Muscle-Strengthening Exercise Questionnaire in U.S. Adults
American College of Sports Medicine Midwest Conference
Brian Venglar (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Melodie Kondratek
The Use of Symptom Localization in the Differential Diagnosis of Shoulder Pain: A Case Report
American Physical Therapy Association — Michigan Fall Conference
Winter 2023
Lauren Gamache (Dept. of Public and Environmental Wellness — PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kate Rougeau
Preference and Tolerance of Active versus Passive Cycling on Enjoyment and State Anxiety
North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) conference
Maria Gjini (PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Tara Diesbourg
Effects of Ergonomics Training on Posture During Simulated Venipuncture
HFES International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care
Hannah Rager (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Faculty mentor, Dr. Sara Arena
Development and Implementation of Safe Fall Recovery Education for Older Adults: An Observational Study
American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting
Fall 2022
Sophia Archer (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Laurel Stevenson
Health Beliefs and Behavior Outcomes of a Produce Prescription Program
American Public Health Association National Conference
Erin Gagnon (Dept. of Public and Environmental Wellness — PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Laurel Stevenson
Using food as medicine through a produce prescription program: Reflections and recommendations on planning, implementation, and evaluation
American Public Health Association National Conference
Jacqueline Groen (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Expectations of exercise and patients' tolerance to daily activities through the perspective of care providers
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting
Jocelyn Holmberg (Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences — IDH)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Laurel Stevenson
How much is enough? Participants' monthly voucher utilization within a produce prescription program
American Public Health Association National Conference
Kristina Kaurin (PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Laurel Stevenson
Improving food security and mental health through a Produce Prescription Program in southeast Michigan
American Public Health Association National Conference
Alissa Kizy (PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kate Rougeau
Biological and Psychophysiological effects in Active vs Passive Cycling
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting
Connor Montilla (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joshua Haworth
Backward Walking and Acute Changes in Dynamic Balance
Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting
Elijah Olson (PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kwame Sakyi
A peer health navigator model for children with developmental disabilities in Ghana
American Public Health Association National Conference
Fjona Tabaku (PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Caress Dean
1) Examining public health workforce needs nationally and in Michigan. 2) Identifying public health professionals' workforce developmental needs to address health disparities in Michigan.
American Public Health Association National Conference
Allison Zornow (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Chris Wilson
Perceptions of Online Training to Deliver a Multifactorial Prevention Program to Older Adults: A Qualitative Study
Michigan Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association Conference
Winter 2022
Sophia Archer (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Laurel Stevenson
Integrating Physical Activity in a Produce Prescription Program
Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters (MASAL)
Mackenzie Eble (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Sarah Arena
Long-term outcomes and perceptions of older adults after the HOP-UP-PT program: A descriptive survey Design
American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (APTA CSM)
Erin Hallman (Dept. of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences — CDS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Sumit Dinda
The Effects of Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) on the Expression of Estrogen Receptor Alpha (ERα) and Tumor Suppressor Gene BRCA1 in Breast Cancer Cells
International Conference of Endocrinology (ENDO 2022)
Seth Higgins (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rumit Singh Kakar
Machine Learning for Lumbar and Pelvis Kinematics Clustering
American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting
Alyssa Logie (HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Lori Boright
The Evidence for Prehabilitation for Persons Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer: A Literature Review
American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (APTA CSM)
Fall 2021
Victoria Brown (PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Mozghon Rajaee
Spatial assessment of ground contamination sites in Michigan and their association with race, educational attainment, and income
American Public Health Conference
Nathan Connor (Dept. of Human Movement Science — HMS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Daniel Goble
Improving Balance at Home Over a Six Week Training Period with a Balance Board
Midwest Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine
Erin Gagnon (Dept. of Public and Environmental Wellness — PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Laurel Stevenson
Addressing Social Determinants of Health that Inhibit Successful Completion of Produce Prescription Programs
American Public Health Conference
James Reid (Dept. of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences — CDS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Shicheng Chen
Comparative genome and functional analysis of Elizabethkingia anophelis from Anopheles mosquito
Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference
Winter 2021
Jennifer Kafarski (Dept. of Public and Environmental Wellness — PEW)
Faculty mentor: Aubrey Arain
Identification of predictive variables for Alpha-gal syndrome occurrence: A systematic review
American Public Health Association
Samantha Pfiffner (Dept. of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences — CDS)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Sumi Dinda
The Effects of Tert-butyl Hydroquinone (TBHQ) on Estrogen Receptor Alpha (Erα) and Tumor Suppressor Gene p53 in Breast Cancer Cells
International Endocrinology Conference (ENDO)
Amarachi Wachuku (PEW)
Faculty mentor: Dr. Laurel Stevenson
Social Prescribing for Health: Voucher Adherence and Measured Health Outcomes in a Prescription for a Health Program
Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters
The Community Health Engagement and Empowerment Research (CHEER) Lab in the School of Health Sciences connects undergraduate students to faculty, enabling them to get involved with hands-on research experiences early in their education and career. Visit the CHEER Lab website to discover some of the meaningful, community-based projects.
School of Health Sciences
3070 Human Health Building
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-2369
[email protected]
Dean's Office
Human Health Building
(248) 370-3562
[email protected]
School of Health Sciences
3070 Human Health Building
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-2369
[email protected]
Dean's Office
Human Health Building
(248) 370-3562
[email protected]
