{"id":4381,"date":"2019-02-15T13:57:59","date_gmt":"2019-02-15T18:57:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/healthsciences\/physical\/\/?page_id=4381"},"modified":"2025-11-20T13:46:47","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T18:46:47","slug":"faculty-research-areas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/healthsciences\/physical\/research\/faculty-research-areas\/","title":{"rendered":"Faculty Research Areas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Faculty Member & Specialty Areas<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAreas of Research Interest<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nCurrent Research Projects<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jessica Cassidy, PT, DPT, PhD<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neurorehabilitation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pediatrics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Motor control & motor learning<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Application of multi-modal neuroimaging and neurostimulation in neurological disease, injury, and development; biomarker development of motor recovery<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n-Neural response to aerobic and cognitive priming using EEG<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Brain connectivity in early stroke rehabilitation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Brain and muscle signal coherence in stroke and pediatric hemiplegia<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Deidra Charity, PT, DPT<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sports<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orthopedics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Sports Medicine, Return to Sport after Injury, Injury Prevention, Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the Physical Therapy Profession<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jennifer Cooke, PT, DPT<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orthopedics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical Education<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Manual therapy, therapeutic and corrective exercise, clinical education outcomes, international service learning<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n-Orthopedic case studies<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Effectiveness of online preceptor training<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Supporting clinical research as a clinical administrator<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Rachel Donnelly, PT, DPT, NCS<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neurologic Rehabilitation\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vestibular dysfunction<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Balance and falls risk in older adults\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Balance, Falls Risk, Geriatrics, Telehealth, Individual vs. Group delivery models\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n-Group-delivery of Otago program for older adults at increased risk for falls<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Pre-Habilitation using Otago protocol in Pre- Transplant Patients with Cirrhosis<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Telehealth PT for older adults with obesity and multiple health co-morbidities<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Bria Dunn, PT, DPT<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orthopedics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical Education<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Orthopedics including low extremity and shoulder, post-operative rehabilitation and outcomes; clinical education outcomes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n– Developing school-based PTs through a clinical education track\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

– Orthopedic assessment of the post-operative shoulder<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Timothy Eckard, PT, DPT, PhD<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Academic administration<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Student belonging & success<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Identification of risk factors and development of screening techniques for injury risk reduction in military training populations<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n-Development of a prediction model for ACL injury during military basic training<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Development of a prediction model for bone stress injuries during military basic training<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Jyotsna J Gupta, PT, PhD<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orthopedics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical Education<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Orthopedics with a special interest in shoulder pathology, clinical education, clinical case studies<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nPre-Habilitation using Otago protocol in Pre- Transplant Patients with Cirrhosis.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Lisa Johnston, PT, MS, DPT<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orthopedics\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical Education<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Teaching and Learning<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Clinical education, educational outcomes; impact of international service-learning experiences, orthopedic interventions<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n-Implementation and evaluation of an online interprofessional training program for clinical preceptors<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Michael Lewek, PT, PhD<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Biomechanics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neural Control of Movement<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Locomotor recovery following stroke; mechanics, energetics, and motor learning of gait post-stroke; fall prevention strategies during gait; gait training for people with Parkinson disease<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n-Develop algorithms for predicting trips in real-time during gait<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Implicit learning of gait behavior<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

– Neurally controlled prostheses<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Use of powered orthosis for gait post-stroke<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Rhythmic auditory cueing for improved gait in individuals with Parkinson disease<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Sean Lowers, PT, DPT<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary PT<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Critical care<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Heart failure rehabilitation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Transplant rehabilitation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Pre- and post-lung transplant outcomes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood pressure in outpatient PT<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Sarah McAuliffe, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orthopedics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Manual therapy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder\/Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical reasoning development across educational spectrum (DPT –> residency –> fellowship)\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dana McCarty, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pediatrics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neonatology<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Public Health<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Impact of therapy services during the neonatal period, cranial molding in preterm infants, infant-parent attachment facilitation through massage and therapeutic intervention, application of public health theory to clinical practice<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Barriers and facilitators to maternal presence in the NICU<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Biopsychosocial impact of infant massage on the mother<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Feasibility of portable force plate to record preterm infant center of pressure at term equivalent age<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Karen McCulloch, PT, PhD, NCS(E), FAPTA, FACRM<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adult Neurologic Dysfunction and Rehabilitation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Traumatic Brain Injury<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Concussion\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Balance<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dual-Task Performance<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neurologic Residency<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Traumatic brain injury, including concussion in military, sports, and geriatric populations; assessment of balance dysfunction\/dual-task performance; intervention for sensorimotor impairments post-concussion; heart rate variability and methods for identifying exercise intolerance early post-concussion, post-graduate training (residency), neurologic specialization<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n-Relationships between dual-task performance, attention, and balance in adults with brain injury<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-High-level balance\/cognitive assessment for use in the military\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Complex Assessment of Military Performance (a multi-component test administered with wearable sensors to aid return to duty decision-making)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Progressive return to activity post-concussion (one RCT, one practice-based evidence approach)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Exertion testing for acute concussion<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Jeff O\u2019Laughlin, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orthopedics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sports Medicine<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Manual Therapy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical Education (Students\/Residents\/Fellows)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, Manual Therapy, Residency\/Fellowship Mentor Development<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical reasoning development: DPT –> residency –> fellowship<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Orthopedic Case studies<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

OMPT<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinician participant BEST trial (Biomarkers for evaluation time treatment)- EBEM arm (Evidenced Based exercise and manual therapy)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Laurie Ray, PT, PhD<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pediatrics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

School-based PT<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Advocacy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Pediatrics, School-based PT, Policy Legislation \u2013 IDEA, ADA, Section 504, FERPA, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Ethics, High Leverage Practices (HLPs) Reimbursement\/ Funding for School Health Services, Inclusion, Diverse Profession, Advocacy, Mentorship, Coaching<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n-Retention of PT practitioners in school practice<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Recruiting and Preparing PT practitioners for school practice<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Assessing performance of school-based PT practitioners<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Developing Public School Unit capacity for:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -Interprofessional Clinical Education\/\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fieldwork\/ Internship programs<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -Medicaid reimbursement programs<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -Physical Therapy programs<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -Adapted Physical Education programs<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Louise Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rheumatology\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orthopedics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Health Services Research<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Optimizing rehabilitation to preserve function and prevent disability for individuals with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nDeveloping and testing strategies to integrate rehabilitation into routine rheumatology care for adults with rheumatic conditions<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Developing and testing lifestyle interventions (e.g. sleep, physical activity) for adults with rheumatic conditions<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Katherine Zisk, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orthopedics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Manual therapy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical Education (Entry-level, Residents, Fellows)\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Orthopedics, Manual Physical therapy, Performing arts, Rheumatology, TMD\/orofacial pain, Pain mechanisms, Clinical reasoning development across the spectrum of PT education\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n-Integrating rehabilitation into routine rheumatology care (PI: Louise Thoma with RMR)\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Orthopedic Case Reports\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Hiral Master, PT, PhD, MPH<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Orthopedics<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Arthritis<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Digital health<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Community-based interventions<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Digital health, physical activity maintenance, and implementation science to promote arthritis self-management and health equity<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\n