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UF Health University of Florida
Brooks-UF PHHP Research Collaboration College of Public Health and Health Professions

Meet the Team

Collaboration Investigators

Emily J Fox

Emily J Fox PT, PhD

Associate Professor & Director Of The Brooks-PHHP Research Collaboration; Director Of Neuromuscular Research And The Motion Analysis Center, Brooks Rehabilitation
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY
Phone: (352) 273-6117
Email: ejfox@phhp.ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae:
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100154
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Physical Address:
1225 CENTER DR
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610

Emily Fox, PT, DPT, MHS, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Director of Neuromuscular Research at Brooks Rehabilitation. She also directs the Brooks Motion Analysis Center, a clinical and research assessment facility. She is the Director of the Brooks-PHHP Research Collaboration, an established collaboration between Brooks Rehabilitation and the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions. In this role, she brings strategic leadership to to grow rehabilitation research and enhance the missions of Brooks and PHHP.

Dr. Fox’s research is focused on control and recovery following neurologic injury and disease. Her objective is to apply intrinsic neural and biomechanical control principles to enhance rehabilitation and promote recovery. As a physical therapist and researcher, she has extensive experience working with individuals with stroke, spinal cord injury, and older adults. Her research represents an interdisciplinary, translational approach to investigate mechanisms underlying motor control and the use of activity-based interventions to restore function.

The specific objectives of her research are to: 1) identify mechanisms associated with motor function and recovery, 2) develop innovative approaches to enhance walking control and recovery, including community ambulation, 3) investigate novel approaches to enhance the delivery and effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions and 4) advance strategies to enhance respiratory recovery after spinal cord injury. Dr. Fox’s current funded projects investigate therapeutic approaches such as transcutaneous electrical stimulation and acute intermittent hypoxia to enhance neuromuscular plasticity and recovery.

Accomplishments:
  • Spinal Cord Injury Special Interest Group Research Award
    2024 · American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy
  • Eugene Michels Young Investigator Award
    2019 · American Physical Therapy Association
Publications:
Grants:
  • Sep 2024 ACTIVE
    Trunk control after human spinal cord injury
    NATL INST OF HLTH NICHD · Co-Investigator
  • Apr 2024 ACTIVE
    Spinal Direct Current Stimulation to Enhance Breathing Following Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
    NATL INST OF HLTH NINDS · Other
  • Apr 2024 ACTIVE
    "Intermittent Visual Perturbations to Enhance Balance Training"
    NATL INST OF HLTH NINDS · Co-Investigator
  • May 2023 ACTIVE
    Cognitively engaging walking exercise and neuromodulation to enhance brain function in older adults
    NATL INST OF HLTH NIA · Co-Investigator
  • Sep 2022 ACTIVE
    Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation to Enhance Locomotor Rehabilitation after SCI
    CRAIG H NEILSEN FOU · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2022 ACTIVE
    Genetic Biomarkers of Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Respiratory Motor Plasticity in Chronic SCI
    US ARMY MED RES ACQUISITION · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2022 – Dec 2024
    Swallowing and respiratory function in chronic spinal cord injury
    BROOKS REHABILITATION CLINICAL RES CNTR · Co-Project Director/Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2021 – Jan 2023
    Locomotor Training with Testosterone to Promote Bone and Muscle Health
    NORTH FL FOU FOR RES AND EDU · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2020 – Aug 2022
    Acute Intermittent Hypoxia to Improve Breathing in Humans with SCI
    CRAIG H NEILSEN FOU · Other
  • Jun 2019 – May 2021
    Perceptions of individuals living with spinal cord injury toward autonomous vehicles
    PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA · Co-Investigator
  • Dec 2018 – Dec 2020
    VA IPA for Emily Fox
    US DEPT OF VET AFF GAINESVILLE MED CTR · Principal Investigator
  • Oct 2018 – Jun 2021
    National Resource Center for High-Impact Clinical Trials in Medical Rehabilitation: Pilot Projects Component
    UNIV OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2018 – Sep 2023
    Acute Intermittent Hypoxia and Respiratory Strength Training to Improve Breathing Function after SCI
    US ARMY MED RES ACQUISITION · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2018 – Mar 2020
    Phrenic Afferents and Neuromuscular Plasticity Following Spinal Cord Injury
    NATL INST OF HLTH NHLBI · Consultant
  • Jul 2018 – Jun 2020
    Neuromodulation of spinal circuits to enhance practice-related performance on a complex walking task (Pilot Project).
    MEDICAL UNIV OF SOUTH CAROLINA · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2016 – Jul 2022
    Functional mapping of peripheral and central circuits for airway protection and breathing
    NATL INST OF HLTH OD · Project Manager
  • Sep 2015 – Dec 2019
    Intramuscular pacing to enhance voluntary diaphragm activation
    CRAIG H NEILSEN FOU · Principal Investigator
  • Jul 2007 – Aug 2016
    Clinical and Translational Science Institute
    UF RESEARCH FOU · Project Manager
Education:
  • 2011-2012
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate
    Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, University of Florida
  • 2007-2011
    PhD, Rehabilitation Science
    University of Florida
  • 2004-2005
    Doctor of Physical Therapy (transitional)
    University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
  • 1997-2000
    Masters of Health Science
    University of Florida
  • 1992-1994
    Bachelor of Science, Physical Therapy
    Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Full Profile
Dorian K Rose

Dorian K Rose PT, MS, PhD, FAPTA

Research Professor
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY
Phone: (352) 273-8307
Email: dkrose@phhp.ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae:
Mailing Address:
PO BOX 100154
DEPT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
 GAINESVILLE FL 326100154
Physical Address:
HPNP BUILDING
HPNP BUILDING
DEPT. OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
 GAINESVILLE FL 326100001
Accomplishments:
  • Catherine Worthingham Fellow
    2024 · American Physical Therapy Association
  • Best Poster Award for Brunetti G, Smith BK, Rose DK. Six-Minute Walk Distance Differentiates Respiratory Impairment in Chronic Stroke.
    2024 · APTA/ANPT Stroke Special Interest Group
  • Blue Ribbon Award for serving underserved populations: Rose DK, Smith BK. A Physical Therapist-Led Community Exercise Program to Counter Post-Stroke Fatigue
    2022 · APTA/Health Policy Administration Section/Global Health SIG
  • Best Poster Award for Rose DK. deLacy, J, Brunetti G, Miller-Sellers DK (Backward) Steps to Mitigate Fall-Risk Post-Stroke
    2021 · APTA/Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy/Stroke Special Interest Group
  • Best Poster Award for Bansal K, Clark DJ, Monaldi M, Fox EJ, Rose DK. Do subjective and objective measures of perceived challenge of walking predict home and community ambulation post-stroke?
    2021 · APTA/Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy/Stroke Special Interest Group
  • Lucy Blair Service Award
    2020 · Amerian Physical Therapy Association
  • Golden Synapse Award for the manuscript: Rose DK, DeMark L, Fox EJ, Clark DJ, Wludyka, P. A Backward Walking Training Program to Improve Balance and Mobility in Acute Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. 2018. 42(1):12-21
    2019 · Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association
  • Dean’s Citation Paper Award For outstanding publication: Rose DK, Nadeau S, Wu SS, Tilson JK, Dobkin BH Pei, Q, Duncan PW. Locomotor Training and Strength and Balance Exercises for Walking Recovery Post-Stroke: Response to Number of Training Sessions. Physical Therapy. 2017. 97(11):1066-1074
    2018 · University of Florida/College of Public Health and Health Professions
Research Summary:

The overall mission of my research program is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disability resulting from neurologic injury or disease. My research program tests clinically relevant hypotheses aimed at restoring motor control and functional mobility following stroke. My portfolio includes clinical outcome studies that assess the efficacy or effectiveness of novel rehabilitation interventions, explain mechanisms of treatment effectiveness and assess one’s return to community participation. Within neurologic movement science, my primary focus is intervention strategies and underlying mechanisms of recovery in stroke rehabilitatio

Research Interests:
  • Clinical Trials Design & Analysis
  • Monitoring and evaluating stroke therapy
  • Stroke
  • facilitation of physical activity and exercise
Publications:
Grants:
  • May 2023 ACTIVE
    Cognitively engaging walking exercise and neuromodulation to enhance brain function in older adults
    NATL INST OF HLTH NIA · Co-Investigator
  • Jan 2023 – Jul 2024
    Cortical Processes during Walking Post-stroke
    AMER HEART ASSOCIATION · Other
  • May 2022 ACTIVE
    Synergizing home health rehabilitation therapy to optimize patients activities of daily living
    NATL INST OF HLTH NIA · Co-Investigator
  • Jun 2020 ACTIVE
    Augmenting a PostStroke Wellness Program with Respiratory Muscle Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial
    FL DEPT OF HLTH BIOMED RES PGM/J&E KING · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2019 – May 2021
    Extension 2 IPA for Sudeshna Chatterjee
    US DEPT OF VET AFF GAINESVILLE MED CTR · Other
  • Feb 2019 – Jul 2020
    Data Coordinating Center for Parkinson Foundations PDGENE Study
    PARKINSONS FOU · Project Manager
  • Mar 2018 – May 2019
    IPA for Sudeshna Chatterjee
    *NF/SGVHS Malcom Randall VA Medical Cent · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2017 – Jan 2018
    National Descriptive Study of the Home Health Physical Therapy Environment
    OHIO STATE UNIV · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2017 – May 2020
    Combining tDCS and neurorehabilitation to treat age-related deficits of mobility and cognition
    NATL INST OF HLTH NIA · Co-Investigator
  • Jul 2015 – Jun 2018
    Novel Strategy to Improve Gait and Fall-Related Efficacy Post-Stroke
    AMER HEART ASSOCIATION · Principal Investigator
Education:
  • 2004
    PhD
    University of Southern California
  • 1994
    M.S.
    University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
  • 1985
    B.S.
    Daemen College
Full Profile
Jason M Beneciuk

Jason M Beneciuk DPT, PhD, MPH

Research Associate Professor
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY
Phone: (352) 273-6085
Email: beneciuk@phhp.ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae:
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100154
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Physical Address:
COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH PROFESSI
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
 GAINESVILLE FL 326100154
Accomplishments:
  • Scholarly Impact on Practice Award
    2023 · Florida Physical Therapy Association
  • George J. Davies & James A. Gould Excellence in Clinical Inquiry Award
    2021 · Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
  • Eugene Michels New Investigator Award
    2021 · American Physical Therapy Association
  • Dean's Citation Paper Award
    2019 · College of Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida
  • Chattanooga Research Award
    2018 · American Physical Therapy Association
Research Interests:
  • Musculoskeletal pain
Publications:
Grants:
  • Jan 2025 ACTIVE
    Interoperable phenotyping of high impact chronic pain tailored to rehabilitation
    BROOKS REHABILITATION CLINICAL RES CNTR · Co-Investigator
  • Jul 2024 ACTIVE
    Patient-Specific Factors of Recovery in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
    UNIV OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · Principal Investigator
  • Mar 2024 ACTIVE
    Patient and Clinician Perspectives on Spinal Manipulative Therapy
    AMER ACAD ORTHOPAEDIC MANUAL PHYS THERAP · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2023 ACTIVE
    Physical Therapy Integrated with Mindfulness for Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Long-Term Opioid Treatment
    UNIV OF UTAH · Principal Investigator
  • Nov 2019 – Nov 2023
    The Aging and Integrative Pain Management Initiative
    UF FOUNDATION · Co-Investigator
  • Jan 2019 – Mar 2022
    Discriminant and Predictive Validity Assessment of the Keele STarT MSK Tool for Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain in Outpatient Physical Therapy Settings
    FOU FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY RES · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2018 – Apr 2021
    Multi-Institutional Center on Health Services Training and Research (CoHSTAR)
    UNIV OF PITTSBURGH · Principal Investigator
  • Jul 2015 – Jul 2020
    BROOKS FUND FOR HUMAN SUBJECT PAYMENTS
    UF FOUNDATION · Principal Investigator
  • Jul 2015 – Jun 2018
    Targeted Interventions to Prevent Chronic Low Back Pain in High Risk Patients: A Multi-Site Pragmatic RCT
    UNIV OF PITTSBURGH · Principal Investigator
  • Oct 2013 – Sep 2017
    Mid-Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation for Individuals Status Post-Surgical Cervical Fusion
    AMER ACAD ORTHOPAEDIC MANUAL PHYS THERAP · Principal Investigator
Education:
  • 2011
    Master of Public Health – Epidemiology
    University of Florida
  • 2011
    Doctor of Philosophy – Rehabilitation Science
    University of Florida
  • 2006
    Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship
    University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
  • 2002
    Doctor of Physical Therapy
    University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
  • 1996
    Bachelor of Science – Biology
    Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Full Profile
Joel E Bialosky

Joel E Bialosky

Clinical Professor
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY
Phone: (352) 733-1162
Email: bialosky@phhp.ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae:
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100154
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Physical Address:
COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH PROFESSI
PO BOX 100154
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
 GAINESVILLE FL 326100154
Accomplishments:
  • Dorothy Baethke-Eleanor J. Carlin Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching
    2024 · American Physical Therapy Association
  • James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
    2017 · American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Orthopaedics
  • Margaret L. Moore Award for Outstanding New Academic Faculty Member
    2013 · American Physical Therapy Association
Publications:
Grants:
  • Mar 2024 ACTIVE
    Patient and Clinician Perspectives on Spinal Manipulative Therapy
    AMER ACAD ORTHOPAEDIC MANUAL PHYS THERAP · Co-Investigator
  • Feb 2024 ACTIVE
    Biopsychosocial Contributors to Irritability in Individuals with Shoulder Pain
    UNIV OF CENTRAL FLORIDA · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2018 – Jul 2023
    Evaluating Specific and Non-Specific Mechanisms in Two Distinct Complementary/Integrative Interventions for Chronic Pain
    RUSH UNIV MED CTR · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2013 – Jan 2017
    Creation of the Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Investigative Network (OPT-IN) for the Optimal Screening for Prediction of Referral and Outcome (OSPRO) Cohort Study
    AMER PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOC · Principal Investigator
Education:
  • 2008
    PhD Rehabilitation Science
    University of Florida
  • 1998
    MS Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy
    University of Pittsburgh
  • 1990
    BS Physical Therapy
    Ithaca College
Full Profile
Meryl Alappattu

Meryl Alappattu DPT, PhD

Research Associate Professor
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY
Phone: (352) 273-9661
Email: meryl@phhp.ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae:
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100154
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Physical Address:
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
UF COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH PROFE
 GAINESVILLE FL 326100001
Research Interests:
  • Chronic Pain
  • Pain
  • Pelvic pain
  • Rehabilitation
  • Women’s Health
Publications:
Grants:
  • May 2023 ACTIVE
    Mechanistic-Based Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome
    VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · Principal Investigator
  • Apr 2023 – Nov 2024
    IPA for Meryl Alappattu
    US DEPT OF VET AFFAIRS LEXINGTON HEALTH · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2022 ACTIVE
    Phenotyping Responses to Optimize the Management of Pain Treatment in Endometriosis
    NATL INST OF HLTH NICHD · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2021 – Jun 2024
    Underserved and undertreated: musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction following gender affirmation surgery
    ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC PHYSICAL THERAPY · Principal Investigator
  • May 2020 ACTIVE
    Mechanisms and Modification of Pain Modulatory Capacity
    NATL INST OF HLTH NIAMS · Co-Investigator
  • Jul 2017 – Jun 2023
    Brain Imaging and Pain: Analysis of Placebo Analgesia
    NATL CTR FOR COMPLEM AND INTEGRATIVE HLT · Project Manager
Full Profile

Collaboration Coordinator

Amanda L Kastner
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY

Amanda L Kastner PhD

Brooks-UF PHHP Research Collaboration Coordinator
Phone: (352) 273-6122

Trainees

Oluwafemi Adegbemigun
Department: HP-REHAB SCI DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Oluwafemi Adegbemigun

GRADUATE AST-R
Phone: (346) 428-7676
Katherine E Buzzanca
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY

Katherine E Buzzanca

Post-Doctoral Associate
Phone: (561) 267-8791
Jill R Hayes
Department: HP-REHAB SCI DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Jill R Hayes

GRADUATE AST-G
Phone: (352) 273-6085
Tinu A Olarewaju
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY

Tinu A Olarewaju

GRADUATE AST-R
Phone: (352) 273-6104
Logan J Rodgers
Department: HP-REHAB SCI DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Logan J Rodgers

GRADUATE AST-G
Phone: (352) 273-6085
Todd E Williams
Department: HP-REHAB SCI DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Todd E Williams

GRADUATE AST-R
Phone: (352) 273-6085

Leading Contributors

Mark D Bishop
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY

Mark D Bishop PT, PhD, FAPTA

Professor & Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Phone: (352) 273-6112
Tracy M Centanni
Department: HP-SLP LANG & HEARING SCI

Tracy M Centanni

Associate Professor and Director of the Genetics of Auditory and visual Perception and Plasticity Lab
Phone: (352) 294-8675
David J Clark
Department: MD-BEHAVIORAL NEUROLOGY

David J Clark Sc.D.

Professor
Phone: (352) 376-1611
David Fuller
Department: College of Public Health and Health Professions Dean's Office

David Fuller Ph.D.

Associate Dean For Research
Phone: (352) 273-6634
Elisa Gonzalez-Rothi
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY

Elisa Gonzalez-Rothi

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Phone: (352) 273-8965
Kelly Hawkins
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY

Kelly Hawkins

Research Assistant Professor
Phone: (352) 273-9989
Karen W Hegland
Department: HP-SLP LANG & HEARING SCI

Karen W Hegland Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Associate Professor And Director Of The Master's Of Arts Degree In Communication Sciences & Disorders Program
Phone: (352) 294-8366
Chiung-ju (CJ) Liu
Department: HP-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Chiung-ju (CJ) Liu PhD, OTR/L, FGSA

Associate Professor
Phone: (352) 273-6496
Michela Mir
Department: HP-SLP LANG & HEARING SCI

Michela Mir

Assistant Professor
Phone: (352) 273-6095
Gordon S Mitchell
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY

Gordon S Mitchell Ph.D.

Professor
Phone: (352) 273-6085
Sabhya Rana
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY

Sabhya Rana

Post Doctoral Fellow
Phone: (352) 273-6085
Barbara K Smith
Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY

Barbara K Smith

Assistant Professor
Phone: (352) 294-5315
Alicia K Vose
Department: Neurology – Jacksonville

Alicia K Vose Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Phone: (904) 244-9092