Faculty Research Directory

Learn more about our researchers in the College of Allied Health Sciences 

Clinical and Health Information Sciences

Clinical and Health Information Sciences Faculty Research
Faculty Name Research Statement
Nancy E. Colletti, PhD, RRT, CPFT Development of critical thinking skills using authentic learning activities
Jan Kelly, MBA, RHIA Online teaching and learning
Pamela Greenstone, MEd, RHIA Next generation of electronic health records, online teaching and learning 
Patricia Tille Ph.D. MLS(ASCP) FACSc  Online education and molecular microbiology
Victoria Wangia-Anderson, PhD, FHIMSS Leveraging public health and electronic clinical data to predict determinants of health in vulnerable populations

Communication Sciences & Disorders

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Research
Faculty Name Research Statement  
Suzanne Boyce, PhD Automatic assessment of speech production, ultrasound biofeedback therapy for speech production of /r/  

 Emily Braun, MS, PhD 

 Recovery and treatment in individuals with post-stroke aphasia. 

 
Brian Earl, PhD, CCC-A Differential diagnosis of speech-in-noise listening difficulties; treatments for middle ear disorders

 Andrea Ford, PhD, CCC-SLP 

 Evidence-based practice for language learning in early childhood settings; autism. 

 Victoria McKenna, PhD, CCC-SLP 

 Compensations & interactions between the respiratory & laryngeal systems in speech, voice, and swallowing disorders. 

 Amy Pratt, PhD 

 Identification of neurodevelopmental language and reading disorders in multilingual populations. 

 Carrie Rountrey, PhD, CCC-SLP 

 Physiological & acoustic correlates to intelligibility in communication disorders bridging clinical & natural environments 

Peter Scheifele, MD, PhD, LCDR USN (Ret.) Hearing acuity in African elephants
Jennifer Vannest, PhD Studies of neuroplasticity for speech and language systems using functional MRI  

 Katherine Winters, PhD, CCC-SLP 

 Cognitive/affective components of stuttering; stuttering intervention; caregiver/community education. 

 
Fawen Zhang, PhD, MD Neural mechanisms of normal and abnormal hearing using Electrophysiological techniques  

Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research.
Faculty Name Research Statement
Pierce  Boyne, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS High intensity interval training in stroke recovery
Melinda Butsch Kovacic, MPH, PhD Improving health literacy and community health via stories and citizen science in underserved communities
Dan Carl, PhD A general focus on High-Intensity Interval Training in performance and conditioning with a specific interest in stroke
Sarah Couch, PhD, MS, RD Development of dietary interventions and assessments targeting CVD risk factors in adolescents
Kari Dunning, PhD, PT Electrical stimulation and high intensity interval training for gait recovery after stroke
Chalee Engelhard, PT, EdD, MBA, GCS Emeritus Scholarship of teaching and learning with a focus on clinical education and curricular design

Benjamin Just, PT, MPT 

Improving students to solve ill-structured problems; using video games to augment classroom delivery & feedback.

Fran Knox-Kazimierczuk, PhD, RDN, CSSD, LD
Community-partnered research to improve community health in underserved populations
Susan Kotowski, PhD Use of simulation and research experiences to improve student learning outcomes
Rebecca Leugers, PT, MS, NDT, LSVT Stroke survivors’ walking abilities in their homes, and how lifestyle management impacts walking ability 
Abigail Peairs, PhD The effects of the DASH diet on blood sugar levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Seung-Yeon Lee, PhD Validation of food literacy tool in choice food pantry users with and without diabetes

 Michael Riley, PhD 

 Sensorimotor control with applications to rehabilitation, health, mobility, and human performance. 

School of Social Work

School of Social Work Faculty Research.
Faculty Name Research Statement
Shauna Acquavita, PhD, LCSW Integrated health and maternal and child health

 Georgia Anderson, PhD, LISW-S 

 Psychosocial impact of cancer on individual and family functioning. 

 Rebecka Bloomer, MSSW, PhD 

 Uses community-engaged & qualitative methods to study & amplify the well-being of youth facing discrimination. 

 Tina Dothard-Peterson, PhD, MPH, CSW, LMSW 

 Impact of the intersection between aging, intergenerational caregiving, and health inequities. 

Michelle Chyatte, MPH, DrPH Impact of foster care program on children’s health; emergency planning for foster children
Gary Dick, PhD Fatherhood and family violence in men, particularly veterans; instrument development
Dana Harley, PhD, MSW, LISW-S Community research and photovoice to study hope, optimism, and mental health in at risk populations
James Pease, PhD, LISW Suicide prevention and PTSD in Veteran and military populations; College student Veteran transition and reintegration
Anjanette Wells, PhD Psychosocial needs and barriers of low-income minority patients in preventing and treating cancer
Jennifer Wright-Berryman, PhD Severe mental health disorders, adolescent and adult suicide; effectiveness of suicide prevention (Hope Squad)

University Research Directory

To search for specific researchers and research facilities throughout the university, please visit  the university research directory.  

For more information about CAHS research:

Headshot of Melinda Butsch Kovacic

Melinda Butsch Kovacic

Professor and Associate Dean of Research , CAHS College of Allied Health Sciences

G60J HSB

513-558-8546

Cross trained as a basic scientist and epidemiologist, my career objectives are to understand how the interplay between genetic predisposition and environment contributes to chronic disease (e.g. cancer and asthma) and to translate my findings into real and measurable changes that improve the outcomes for children and families, particularly those that are living in communities that are most vulnerable as a result of socioeconomics.