Faculty Research - UCF College of Health Professions and Sciences

The College of Health Professions and Sciences is home to federal, state and local government grants and contracts. Current funding agencies include the National Institutes of Health and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Faculty members seek opportunities to collaborate with researchers across the campus and around the world, and they frequently engage students in their research activities.

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Faculty Research Interests

Kim Anderson, Ph.D., MSSW, LCSW

Interim Center Co-Director, Public Affairs-Social Work Program Liaison

E-mail: kim.anderson@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-5201

Assessment of trauma and recovery for survivors of violence
Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth in Trauma Populations
Intimate partner violence - including rural and Native American populations
Childhood exposure to domestic violence across the lifespan
Digital Storytellng as a trauma narrative intervention

Bethany Backes, Ph.D., MSW, MPH

Assistant Professor

E-mail: Bethany.Backes@ucf.edu

Violence Against Women
Multidisciplinary responses to victims
Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence
Stalking
Sexual Violence
Victim Help-Seeking
Program evaluation

Morris Beato, PT, DPT, GCS, NCS

Clinical Assistant Professor

E-mail: Morris.Beato@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-1864

Stroke rehabilitation
Neuromotor Interventions for Neurologic Conditions
Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation

Susanny Beltran, Ph.D., MSW

Assistant Professor

E-mail: Susanny.Beltran@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-4662

End-of-life care
Health literacy and health promotion
Health care disparities among racial/ethnic minority older adults
Qualitative research
Gerontology education

Melissa Bermudez, MSW, LCSW, LICSW

Instructor, Online MSW

E-mail: Melissa.Bermudez@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-4655

Intimate Partner and Power-Based Violence / Trauma
Military personnel and Veterans
Culturally inclusive care and services

Jeffrey Biddle, EdD

Associate Instructor

E-mail: jeffrey.biddle@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-2446

Coaching Education

Lauren Bislick, Ph.D., MA, BA

Assistant Professor

E-mail: Lauren.Bislick@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-4768

Neurogenic Communication Disorders
Acquired Apraxia of Speech
Acquired Aphasia
Differential Diagnosis
Treatment Development
Motor Learning Theory & Principles of Motor Learning

Keith Brazendale, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

E-mail: keith.brazendale@ucf.edu

Childhood Obesity
Physical Activity
Sedentary Behavior
sleep

Mary Lou Brunell, MSN, RN

Executive Director

E-mail: marylou.brunell@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-0981

nurse workforce
health workforce
health policy

Mary Ann Burg, Ph.D., LCSW

Professor

E-mail: m.burg@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-6167

Women's health
Cancer survivorship and access to care
Cancer health disparities
Integrated behavioral healthcare

Heather Burroughs, MSW, LCSW

Instructor

E-mail: heather.burroughs@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-0179

Clinical Supervision
Field Education
Compassion Fatigue and Self-Care for Social Workers

Giselle Carnaby, Ph.D., MPH, CCC-SLP

ASHA Fellow, Professor

E-mail: giselle.carnaby@ucf.edu

Phone: (407) 823-4801

Swallowing Disorders

Catherine Cash, EdD, MA

Student Resource Specialist IV

E-mail: catherine.cash@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-6079

Career Advising
Student Retention
Transfer Students
First Generation College Students
Nontraditional Students and Adult Learners
Graduate Student Engagement

Reshawna Chapple, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW

Assistant Professor

E-mail: rchapple@ucf.edu

Phone: (407) 823-2958

Critical Deaf Studies
Critical Race Feminism and Intersectionality
Culturally Responsive Mental Health Treatment and Access to Services
Intimate Partner Violence and Trauma Recovery
Qualitative Methods
Telemental Health

Janel Cosby, AuD, Ph.D., CCC-A

Audiologist, Lecturer

E-mail: janel.cosby@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-882-0481

Cochlear Implants
Auditory Training
Cognitive Processing
Aural (Re)habilitation
Auditory Processing
Early Intervention
Hearing Conservation
Hearing Disorders Across the Lifespan
Aging

Michael Crary, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

ASHA Fellow, ASHA Honors of the Association, Professor

E-mail: michael.crary@ucf.edu

Phone: 470-823-4762

Swallowing Disorders

Nicole Dawson, PT, Ph.D., GCS

Assistant Professor

E-mail: nicole.dawson@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-1863

Non-pharmacological interventions for older adults
Predictors of successful and optimal aging
Risk factors for falls in older adults with cognitive impairment
Understanding the illness experience for individuals with dementia

Joseph DiNapoli, MS, CAGS, CCC-SLP

Associate Instructor

E-mail: joseph.dinapoli@ucf.edu

Phone: 321-433-7856

Cognitive-Communication Disorders
Language Acquisition
Language Disorders
Neurogenic Communication Disorders
Speech disorders
Swallowing Disorders

Gillian Dreilinger, MS, CCC-SLP

Associate Instructor

E-mail: gillian.dreilinger@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-882-0470

Accent Modification
Articulation/Phonological Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Central Auditory Processing
Cleft palate
Cultural and Linguistic Variables
Diagnostic/Clinical Processes
Language Acquisition
Language Disorders
Linguistics/Psychololinguistics
Literacy
Speech Acquisition
Speech disorders
Supervision

Jeff Duke, Ph.D.

Associate Lecturer

E-mail: jeff.duke@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-5867

Coaching Education
Sport Participation
Detriments of Sport Specific Training
Social Implications of Coaches

Sophia Dziegielewski, Ph.D., LCSW

Professor

E-mail: sophia.dziegielewski@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-6342

Human subject research and protection of the rights of human subjects
Child protection
Mental health assessment and treatment
Health and wellness
Standardized testing strategies and continuing education and training
Psychopharmacology

Katia Ferdowsi, MD, MPH

Lecturer

E-mail: katia.ferdowsi@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-1446

Disease prevention
Public Health
common and preventable diseases in youth
Global Health

Thomas Fisher, Ph.D., CSCS, LMHC

Senior Lecturer

E-mail: thomas.fisher@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-1895

Anti-Aging Medicine
Mental health
Sport Psychology
Biomarkers of Aging
Psychophysiology
Performance Enhancement
Health education
Men's health

Todd R. Fix, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Instructor, Internship Coordinator

E-mail: todd.fix@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-882-0484

Supervision
Swallowing Disorders
Dysphagia
Adult neurogenic/acquired motor-speech
Language Disorders
Acquired Brain Injury/Cognitive Communication.

David Fukuda, Ph.D., CSCS*D, CISSN

Associate Professor, Division Head

E-mail: David.Fukuda@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-0442

Performance-based testing methodologies
Exercise training and nutritional interventions in varying populations
Fatigue thresholds and metabolic responses to exercise
Martial arts and combat sports

Denise Gammonley, Ph.D., LCSW

Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, Professor

E-mail: denise.gammonley@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-2215

Elder care workforce
Person-centered care
Disability, aging & technology
Global social work
Scholarship of teaching and learning

Jeanette Garcia, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

E-mail: jeanette.garcia@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-3207

Health behaviors in youth with social/emotional/behavioral disorders
Community-based health interventions
Link between health behaviors (physical activity, nutrition, sleep, screen time) & academic performance

Kimberley Gryglewicz, Ph.D., MSW

Assistant Professor, Interim Center Co-Director

E-mail: kgryglew@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-2954

Suicide prevention
Health and mental health
Family engagement & caregiving issues
Program implementation and evaluation

William Hanney, PT, DPT, ATC, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

E-mail: William.j.hanney@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-0217

Treatment Outcomes for patients with low back and neck pain
The influence of manual/manipulative therapy
Standardization of physical therapy interventions
Physical therapy practice patterns

Nancy Harrington, MA, CCC-SLP, ATP

Assistive Technology Professional, Associate Instructor, FAAST Center/AAC Lab Research Grant Coordinator

E-mail: nancy.harrington@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-882-0465

Language Acquisition
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Assistive Technology

Tameca Harris-Jackson, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW, CSE

Academic Support and Assessment, Coordinator, Lecturer, Online MSW

E-mail: tameca.harris-jackson@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-3054

Women’s Sexual and Mental Health
Religion/Spirituality
LGBTQ+ populations
Sexuality and Internationalization of the Curriculum
Gatekeeping in Social Work Practice
Social Work Assessment

Ethan Hill, Ph.D., CSCS, ACSM-EP

Assistant Professor

E-mail: Ethan.Hill@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-1161

Neuromuscular and endothelial function
Resistance training interventions
Muscle function and fatigue
Sex-specific responses to exercise
Eccentric contraction-based interventions

Bari Hoffman Ruddy, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

ASHA Fellow, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, Professor

E-mail: bari.hoffmanruddy@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-4804

Voice disorders
Vocal health and Prevention
Upper Airway Disorders
Head and Neck Cancer
Respiratory Muscle Strength Training

Jane Hostetler, MA, CCC-SLP

Associate Instructor

E-mail: jane.hostetler@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-882-0462

Neurogenic Communication Disorders
Supervision

Gail Kauwell, Ph.D., RDN, LDN, FAND

Department Chair, Professor

E-mail: Gail.Kauwell@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-0782

Folate and vitamin B12 requirements and metabolism
Nutrient-gene interactions/epigenetic alterations and disease risk

Jennifer Kent-Walsh, BEd, MS, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, S-LP(C)

ASHA Fellow, Associate Dean of Research, FAAST Center Director, Interim School Director, Professor

E-mail: jkentwalsh@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-4800

Language Disorders
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Assistive Technology
Service-Learning / Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Debra Knox, MS, CCC-SLP

Associate Instructor, Clinical Board of Educators Coordinator

E-mail: debra.knox@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-882-0464

Cochlear Implants
Hearing Aids
Hearing Disorders
Language Disorders
Supervision

Lakshmi Kollara Sunil, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor

E-mail: lakshmi.kollarasunil@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-4798

Craniofacial Anomalies
Resonance Disorders
Anatomy and Physiology
Craniofacial Syndromes
Imaging

Anthony Pak Hin Kong, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

E-mail: antkong@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-4791

Adult neurogenic communication disorders
Aphasia
Bilingualism
Cognitive-communicative disorders
Discourse analysis

Shawn Lawrence, Ph.D., LCSW

Associate Professor

E-mail: shawn.lawrence@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-3112

Obesity and Stigma
Substance Abuse
Student learning environments and outcomes

Eunkyung “Muriel” Lee, Ph.D., RDN

Assistant Professor

E-mail: eunkyung.lee@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-3365

Evaluation of cancer treatment using the patient-reported outcomes research and comparative effectiveness research approaches
Interrelationship among adjuvant radiotherapy, comorbidity, survival, and health-related quality of life among older women with breast cancer
Evaluation of healthy behaviors among cancer survivors utilizing the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) data
Evaluation of interventions in improving quality of life among cancer survivors

Ana Leon, Ph.D., LCSW

Interim Director, Professor

E-mail: ana.leon@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-6195

Child Mental Health
Impact of Early Trauma on Child Mental Health and Development
The Effects of Parenting on Very Young Children
Infant Mental Health

Ching-Yi Liao, Ph.D., MEd, MEd

Postdoctoral Scholar

E-mail: Ching-Yi.Liao@ucf.edu

Autism Spectrum Disorder
Developmental/Intellectual Disability
Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Approach
Parent/Caregiver Coaching
Communication Intervention

Linda A. Long, Ph.D., MSW

Visiting Lecturer

E-mail: linda.long@ucf.edu

Family Factors & Youth Academic Achievement
Culture as Social Determinant of Mental Health
Help-Seeking Behaviors of African-Americans
Academically Talented Diverse Students
Child & Adolescent Mental Health
Family Therapy with Families in Child Welfare
Bibliotherapy as youth Treatment Intervention

Humberto Lopez Castillo, MD, Ph.D., CPH, CMI-Spanish

Assistant Professor

E-mail: dr.hlc@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-3012

Alcohol use and abuse
Risky sexual behaviors
Cardiovascular health
Sexual minority populations
Secondary data analyses
Sexual and reproductive health

L. Colby Mangum, Ph.D., MEd, LAT, ATC

Assistant Professor

E-mail: lauren.mangum@ucf.edu

Lumbopelvic-Hip Complex Muscle Function
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging
Core Stability and Athletic Function
Innovative Assessment and Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain, Patellofemoral Pain

Julie Matura, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Instructor, Internship Coordinator

E-mail: julie.matura@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-882-0449

Cognitive-Communication Disorders
Diagnostic/Clinical Processes
Genetics
Language Disorders
Neurogenic Communication Disorders
Swallowing Disorders

Shellene Mazany, LCSW, MSW

Associate Instructor, Online MSW Director

E-mail: shellene.mazany@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-1089

Mental Health and Addictions
Children
Youth and Families
Crisis Intervention
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Clinical Supervision
Online Education and Technology

Maxine McGregor, MSW, MS

Instructor, MSW Program Director

E-mail: maxine.mcgregor@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-3037

child welfare
domestic violence

Olga Molina, DSW, MSW, LCSW

Associate Professor

E-mail: omolina@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-6793

Divorce
Intimate partner violence
African American and Latino/a Families
Undocumented Families
Mental health
Groupwork

Matthew Munyon, Ph.D.

Director of Planning and Knowledge Management

E-mail: matthew.munyon@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-0664

Advanced analytics and statistics (SPSS, SAS, SmartPLS, MiniTab, R, Python)
Data visualizations (Tableau, SAS Enterprise Miner, SPSS, Advanced Excel, R, Python)
Data narratives (scholarly written and oral communication via reports, manuscripts, proposals, presentations)
Organized project management (Gantt charts, task tracking, timely and transparent team communication and planning)
Research methodology (quantitative and qualitative)

Eunji Nam, Ph.D., MA

Assistant Professor

E-mail: enam@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-3642

Young Adults with Mental Health Conditions
Co-occurrence of Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
Mental Health Service Utilization
Health and Mental Health Care Access and Barriers
Social Support Networks
Program Development and Evaluation

Laurie Neely, PT, DPT, NCS

Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Clinical Education

E-mail: laurie.neely@ucf.edu

Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Patient Care
Physical Therapy Clinical Education Outcomes
Management of Medically Complex Patients

Julia O’Connor, Ph.D., MSW, MPH

Assistant Professor

E-mail: julia.oconnor@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-3137

Violence Against Women
Primary Prevention
Campus Sexual Violence
Perpetration
Evaluation Research

Cassie Odahowski, Ph.D., MPH

Assistant Professor

E-mail: Cassie.Odahowski@ucf.edu

Cancer Epidemiology
Rural and Minority Health Disparities
Geospatial Analyses of Healthcare Resources

Patrick Pabian, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS

Associate School Director - School of Kinesiology & Physical Therapy, Division Head & Program Director - Division of Physical therapy

E-mail: patrick.pabian@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-3457

Interprofessional education and interprofessional practice
Contemporary issues in professional education
Strength and function recovery in post-surgical orthopedic interventions
Interventions and collaborative care in sports medicine

Jennifer Plant, EdD, LAT, ATC

Associate Lecturer

E-mail: jennifer.plant@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-5232

Role strain of graduate and post-graduate athletic training students
Scapular dyskinesis in overhead athletes
Changes in lower extremity biomechanics following chronic ankle sprains
Perceptions of barriers in the implementation of evidence based practice among athletic training clinical instructors
Best methods for transitioning young athletic training professionals into a clinical practice environment - both from the professional education side and the employer side