(July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014) Dr. Elizabeth Hibberd * Dr. Walter Palmer * Dr. Ashley Freuler * Dr. Heather Fritz * Dr. Emily Furgang * Dr. Sumita Rege
Human Movement Science
Dr. Elizabeth Hibberd
Dissertation title: Effect of Swim Training on Physical Characteristics and Pain in Competitive Adolescent Swimmers.
Advisor: Joseph B. Myers.
Post-graduation destination: Assistant Professor and Director of the Athletic Training Research Laboratory at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Description of Research: The purpose of this project was to prospectively identify the effect of the training season on physical characteristics and shoulder pain and the relationship between participation factors and each of the physical characteristic variables in competitive adolescent swimmers. Evaluating these changes in the physical characteristics in competitive swimmers and their relationship to participation variables will advance the understanding of the effects of swim training on physical characteristics and provide support for future studies focusing on injury prevention programs and practice recommendations. In addition, evaluating how the physical characteristics change during the training season and their relationship with shoulder pain/functional scales and cumulative yardage, a screening tool can be developed to identify at risk individuals as well as provide information regarding the development of intervention programs and practice guidelines for competitive swimmers.
Awards, Grants, or Notable Presentations: Duquette Scholarship (Human Movement Science); Doctoral Grant from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation
Dr. Walter Palmer
Dissertation title: Changes in Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Associated with the Matter of Balance Volunteer Lay Leader Model Program.
Advisor: Dr. Vicki Mercer.
Occupational Science
Dr. Ashley Freuler
Dissertation title: Facing Challenges on Two Fronts: Exploring the Process of Resilience for Military Families Raising a Child with Autism.
Advisor: Dr. Grace Baranek.
Post-graduation destination: Project Coordinator with UNC’s Program for Early Autism Research, Leadership & Service (PEARLS).
Dr. Heather Fritz
Dissertation title: Integrating Diabetes Self-Management into Daily Life: Exploring Process, Habit, and Occupation.
Advisor: Dr. Malcolm Cutchin.
Description of Research: Fritz’s research focuses on how low income women integrate diabetes self management behaviors into daily life.
Awards, Grants, or Notable Presentations: Fritz was awarded a $1,465 Student Research Grant in Occupational Science by the Society for the Study of Occupation: USA in August 2012. In September 2012, Fritz’s TraCS $2K grant application was chosen for funding.
Dr. Emily Furgang (Kertcher)
Dissertation title: Engagement of Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Postsecondary Education.
Advisor: Dr. Ruth Humphry.
Post-graduation destination: Clinical Faculty at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and became an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Occupational Science at UNC.
Description of Research: Furgang’s dissertation presents findings from a qualitative, ethnographic study of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) enrolled in a specialized postsecondary education program at a public university in North Carolina. Specifically, it discusses how 10 students engaged in postsecondary education activities and developed student identities over the course of one academic year. Findings address the nature of engagement in postsecondary education and the construction of the students’ occupations and identities. These findings are portrayed through stories of the students’ experiences.
Awards, Grants, or Notable Presentations: Furgang delivered a presentation titled “Experiences of Postsecondary Students with Intellectual Disabilities: An Ethnographic Exploration of Occupation, Identity and Context,” at the Society for the Study of Occupation Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, and another presentation titled, “New Access and New Identities: Opening Doors to Meaningful Employment,” at the Southwest Conference on Disability Annual Conference, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Both conferences were in October 2012.
Dr. Sumita Rege
Dissertation title: Looking Beyond: A Study of Blogging and What It Tells Us About Occupations.
Advisor: Dr. Ruth Humphry.