2026 Combined Session Meeting Presentations from ������Ƶ
(Presenting author names bolded)

Platform Presentations:
Bridging the Classroom and the Clinic: Leveraging Emerging Clinicians’ Training to Address Patients’ Social Needs
Gary Johnson

The Perceptions and Experiences of Underrepresented Minority Faculty in Physical Therapy Education Programs
Gary Johnson

Performance Consistency in Functional Testing Predicts ACL-RSI Score after ACL Reconstruction in Collegiate Athletes John Magill et al.
John Magill

Poster Presentations:
Isolating Hamstring Strength: The Effect of Pelvic Stabilization on Eccentric Nordic Performance
Zach Ormond, Michael Reiman, Gary Johnson, John Magill

Does Thigh Girth Predict Knee Extension Isometric and Isokinetic Peak Torque?
Austin Reames, Sadie Thompson, Ethan Rafal, Nolan Barnes, Zachary Ormond, Mary Hannah, John Magill

Persistent Autonomic Dysfunction Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in an Older Adult: A Case Report
Sixela Caballero, Margaret MacIsaac, Crystal Ramsey

Improvement in Gait Speed Following High Intensity Gait Training Following Pediatric AVM Removal
Samantha Pawlovich, Addison Swofford, Crystal Ramsey

High Intensity Interval Ambulation Improved Two Minute Walk Test in an Individual with Chronic Stroke
Samantha Kosmacki, Matthew Urrutia, Crystal Ramsey

Assessing Autonomic Dysfunction in Older Adults Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Theory Report
Jeremy Baldes, Anna Carroll, Crystal Ramsey

High Intensity Bodyweight Support Treadmill Training Improved Overground Gait Speed for Primary Progressive MS
Sara Moore, Samantha Kosmacki, Virginia Shafer, Crystal Ramsey

The Optimal Theory Improved Balance and Gait in a Client with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Alexis Nowell, Alannah Thomas, Crystal Ramsey

High Intensity Treadmill Training Improved Fatigue in a Person with Mild Parkinson’s Disease
Addison Swofford, Chaney Patton, Alannah Thomas, Crystal Ramsey

Impact of High Intensity Gait Training on Balance and Endurance in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Alannah Thomas, Alexis Nowell, Crystal Ramsey

Gait and Balance Changes Following High Intensity Interval Treadmill Training in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease
Alannah Thomas, Danielle Essex, Crystal Ramsey

Fatigue, Fatiguability, and Gait Changes Following Large Amplitude Plus Treadmill Training in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease
Danielle Essex, Alannah Thomas, Crystal Ramsey

Bridging Gaps in Neurorehab: Addressing Health Disparities in Hispanic Patients
Emi Chirigliano, Veronica Romero-Perozo, Chaney Patton, Crystal Ramsey

Hip Strength Plays a Dominant Role in Execution of Forceful Movements during Bharatanatyam Dance
Kaitlin Kerr-Osman, Kaleigh Jenkins, Ginny Shafer, Danielle Essex, John Magill, Srikant Vallabhajosula

At ACSM, the DPT program had ​seven presentations, with all seven being student-led poster presentations. Seven DPT students and two faculty members represented the program.

At IADMS, the DPT program had two presentations, with one of them being a student-led presentation.

In addition, ​Molly Boda won the ACSM Biomechanics Interest Group Student Research Award for her presentation on the “Effects of Age and Dual-tasking on Endurance Performance While Walking.”

List of presentations at ACSM: 

“Effects of Age and Dual-tasking on Endurance Performance While Walking”: Molly Boda, Keira Oyen, Sydnie Fearrin, Josie Freeman, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Addison Andrews

“Improving Predictive Isometric Peak Torque Values in Division I Football Players:” Emi Chirigliano, Raya Coley, Issac Murdock, Wesley Roberson, Thomas Van Dorp, Zac Ormond, Mary Kay Hannah, Jack Magill

“Self-reported Questionnaires As Predictors Of Fasting Blood Glucose And Adiposity In Adolescents:” Christina Westbrooks, Sarah Burr, Cassidy Coleman, John Magill, Svetlana Nepocatych

“Does Thigh Girth Predict Knee Extension Isometric And Isokinetic Peak Torque?”Jack Magill, Austin Reames, Sadie Thompson, Ethan Rafal, Nolan Barnes, Zac Ormond, Mary Kay Hannah

“Utility Of Backwards Tandem Gait For Post-concussion Assessment:” Srikant Vallabhajosula, Lindsay Watkins, Conner Brown, Corinne Ferry, Charlene Tierney, Ashlyn Loring, Amy Smelko

“Impact Of Caffeine Supplementation On Aerobic Performance And Muscle Strength:” Stephen Bailey, Emilize Momplaisir, Stella Cooper, Clark Oliver, Maddie Whitaker, G Keith Harris

“Impact Of Caffeine Supplementation On Anaerobic Exercise Performance:” MacKenzie Dudley, Aaron Zettel, Caleigh Walklet, Emilize Momplaisir, G Keith Harris, Stephen Bailey

List of presentations at IADMS: 

“Comparing peak hip joint angles during dance with active range of motion in Bharatanatyam dancers:” Kaitlin Kerr-Osman, Srikant Vallabhajosula

“Using wearable sensors to quantify Bharatanatyam dance:” Srikant Vallabhajosula, Kaleigh Jenkins

������Ƶ’s Department of Physical Therapy hosted the American Physical Therapy Association North Carolina (APTA-NC) on Oct. 17-18 to highlight research,  network and award students for their achievements in the field.

Robert Nithman, physical therapy chair and program director, welcomed attendees to the Francis Center on Oct. 17 during the membership meeting.

Mary Kay Hannah, associate professor of physical therapy and president of APTA NC, presided over conference proceedings and was awarded the 2026 APTA NC Founder’s Lectureship Award.

“It was such an honor to welcome so many distinguished physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students from across the state to the beautiful Francis Center,” said Nithman. “By hosting the APTA NC Annual Conference, ������Ƶ helped the North Carolina APTA chapter save over $50,000; funds that will now be reallocated towards legislative advocacy efforts and student scholarships.”

Two second-year doctor of physical therapy students (DPT), Sixela Caballero and Naomi Lackamy, were honored as APTA-NC scholarship award winners. Caballero was this year’s Keskula Family Student Scholarship recipient and was also recognized for leadership in community service and engagement in ������Ƶ’s HOPE pro-bono Clinic as a winner of APTA NC’s Community Impact Challenge alongside Sadie Thompson. Lackamy received the Diversity Student Scholarship.

Additionally, two DPTE student projects had their research abstracts accepted for peer review. Addison Swofford presented her poster on “Guillain-Barré Syndrome and the Importance of Therapeutic Alliance in Pediatrics,” mentored by Bill Andrews, professor of physical therapy. Danielle Essex and Alannah Thomas presented their poster on “Fatigue, Fatiguability, and Gait Changes Following Large Amplitude and Treadmill Training in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease,” mentored by Crystal Ramsey, associate professor of physical therapy.

Read more about ������Ƶ’s physical therapy program. 

Each spring, graduate students in the human movement science curriculum at UNC-Chapel Hill organize a day-long conference highlighting emerging research across the interdisciplinary fields of kinesiology, exercise science, rehabilitation sciences and biomedical engineering.

Wittstein offered a deeply personal account of his academic and professional path, tracing his journey from his undergraduate days at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, through his pivot into human movement science, to work in industry and eventually the pursuit of a doctorate. Reflecting on more than a decade at ������Ƶ, he emphasized the balance he has found between research, mentorship and teaching. He also spoke candidly about challenges along the way, including periods of depression, the search for personal and professional identity and purpose, and how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped his engagement with professional societies and institutional service.

The conference also spotlighted original research by students and faculty. Jill Dolman ’25 and Srikant Vallabhajosula, professor of physical therapy education, presented their collaborative study, “Concurrent Validity of Wearable Sensors for Walking in Young Adults.” Their work supports the use of wearable technology to evaluate gait in real-world settings, with implications for pediatric assessment.

Another project, “Comparison of Peak Hip Joint Angles in Static and Dynamic Positions with Active Range of Motion in Bharatanatyam Dancers,” combined biomechanics and cultural dance analysis. The study was conducted by Doctor of Physical Therapy students Kaitlin Kerr-Osman, Avery McCamy, and Kayla Liles, in collaboration with faculty members Jack Magill and Vallabhajosula.

In a fitting full-circle moment, the conference also marked the ten-year anniversary of a formative connection. It was in spring 2013, at this event, that Wittstein and Vallabhajosula first met—unaware that their paths would later converge as colleagues and collaborators in the field of human movement science.

Abstracts on diverse topics ranging from sports, pelvic health, pediatrics, neurology, geriatrics, education, and cardiovascular & pulmonary sections were accepted for presentation. In total, there were eight poster presentations and four podium/platform presentations. Nine of the 12 presentations were done by current third year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. Several ������Ƶ DPT graduates also attended and presented at the conference.

Raya Coley, a third year DPT student won the prestigious Catherine Worthingham Student Scholarship

2025 Combined Session Meeting Presentations from ������Ƶ (Presenting author names bolded)

Platform presentations

“Preadmission and Curricular Predictors of First-Time National Physical Therapy Examination Success”
John (Jack) Magill

“Educational Technology Acceptance and Use By Physical Therapy Faculty”
Melissa Scales

“How Does Dual-Tasking Affect Distance Walked and Gait during an Endurance Task in Older Adults?”
Josephine Freeman, Bill Andrews, Srikant Vallabhajosula

“Obstacle Clearance Behavior in Immersive Reality Environments Among Older Adults”
William Huie, Sara Moore, Jake Rosengarten, Alys Giordano, Pratheep Kumar Paranthaman, Srikant Vallabhajosula

Poster presentations

“Utilizing Neural Network to Predict Prevalence of MetS in High School Seniors”
Caroline Guill, John Magill, Svetlana Nepocatych

“The Influence of Anxiety and Stress on the Academic Performance of First-Year DPT Students”
Alys Giordano

“Concurrent Traumatic Brain Injury and Above Knee Amputation: A Multi-Modal Intervention Strategy”
Ashlyn Loring, Addison Andrews

“Modification of the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test for an Adult over 50: A Case Study”
Katelyn Carpenter, Hannah Wright, Michaela Fitzgerald, Crystal Ramsey

“Predicting Maximum Eccentric Ground Reaction Force in Healthy Pediatric and Adolescent Athletes”
Katherine Messikomer, Alexis Nowell, Samantha Kosmacki, John Magill, Srikant Vallabhajosula

“Changes in Kinetics of Runners from the 3rd Trimester to 3 Months Postpartum”
Milani Denise Saldon, Andrew Miller, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Svetlana Nepocatych, Angela Spontelli Gisselman, Shefali Christopher

“Musculoskeletal Characteristics Among Practitioners of the Bharatanatyam Dance”
Danielle Essex, Kaleigh Jenkins, Virginia Shafer, Kelly O’Daniel, John Magill, Srikant Vallabhajosula:

“Establishing Predictive Physical Performance Measures for Golf Swing Velocity”
Gabrielle Flocco, John Magill

“He is the ultimate collaborator,” said Stephen Bailey, professor of physical therapy education, who introduced Vallabhajosula’s lecture in the Gerald Francis Center. “What he does that’s so skillful is he listens to all of us, he then goes into his science area, biomechanics, and he figures out how he can serve our research question with the best biomechanics that can be done in the world.”

The Distinguished Scholar Award is ������Ƶ’s top faculty research award and recognizes excellence in scholarship acknowledged by both the ������Ƶ community and the large community of the candidate’s discipline. Vallabhajosula earned the honor in spring 2024.

A square peg in a round hole

In the hour-long lecture, Vallabhajosula highlighted his many collaborative research efforts, both with faculty and students. Among his scholarly accomplishments include 59 peer-reviewed publications, one book chapter, 243 national or international peer-reviewed conference presentations and 25 grants.

“Even a square peg like me can fit into a round hole, and that’s mainly because of the opportunities afforded to me by my excellent collaborators,” said Vallabhajosula, who has worked with 39 collaborators throughout his academic career.

Originally from Hyderabad, India, Vallabhajosula joined the faculty at ������Ƶ in July 2012 following postdoctoral work at the Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility in the School of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Osmania University in Hyderabad, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a doctorate in applied physiology and kinesiology from the University of Florida.

Vallabhajosula has integrated biomechanics research into a variety of fields, including Parkinson’s disease, geriatrics, education, dance and sports – all of which he discussed in Tuesday’s lecture. He noted that his work with Eric Hall, assistant provost for scholarship and creative activity and professor of exercise science; and Caroline Ketcham, associate dean of ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of exercise science, proved pivotal in his research career at ������Ƶ.

“That opened a lot of doors for me where not only did they allow me to collaborate with them, but they also referred some fantastic students, undergrads, who were maybe interested in the physical therapy field, biomechanics, or gait to come work with me,” said Vallabhajosula.

‘Essential to our core’

During Vallabhajosula’s tenure at ������Ƶ, his efforts have resulted in his students being first authors on eight publications and making 112 conference presentations.

“It’s very fascinating to see (students) go through this journey of finding their research, which was new to me,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot from my collaborators.”

Overall, 16 of his students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and two undergraduate students he has mentored have received 21 awards, scholarships and grants for their research endeavors.

“He’s got a great rapport with students,” said Bailey. “Biomechanists have a reputation in exercise science for being difficult people to work with (… but) that’s not who he is. He has served us over and over and over again. He’s essential to our core.”

His collaborations extend beyond the School of Health Sciences, including the MVP Project, a collaboration with faculty in the Department of Computer Science studying how virtual reality technology could help patients avoid tripping-related falls. The project, led by Vallabhajosula, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Education Alys Giordano and Assistant Professor of Computer Science Pratheep Paranthaman, compares physical navigation around obstacles in the real-world, virtual-reality and mixed reality settings.

Say yes

Integral to Vallabhajosula’s work is outreach to grade-school students interested in biomechanics, including through National Biomechanics Day, an effort each April to teach high school students around the world about the field. The Performing Arts, Exercise Science and Physical Therapy Education departments at ������Ƶ have participated in National Biomechanics Day activities since its inception in 2016.

Vallabhajosula has coordinated ������Ƶ students and faculty to visit Alamance Career and Technical Center as part of the project and has coordinated virtual National Biomechanics Day events for students in India. In 2023, he also had the opportunity to host an in-person session during a personal trip to India. He has also published research with ������Ƶ DPT students on the effort.

“One thing I never envisioned was that I would get scholarly products from this outreach,” said Vallabhajosula. “Sometimes when you say yes to something, it results in a lot of good products.”

Throughout his lecture, Vallabhajosula gave thanks to the many people who helped him along the way, not just in academia but family, with his wife and daughter seated in the front row of the lecture hall.

“The people that paid the most price for this success is the family,” said Vallabhajosula. “My wife who is sitting here, she has been a really constant support, a lot of flexibility because there’s always one more email and one more text message that I need to respond (to).”

Vallabhajosula says he’s looking forward to his upcoming sabbatical but hopes to eventually reach 100 publications, all of it with the help of those around him.

“A lot of my success has come because of support from the institution,” he said.

“A lot of the surgeons in the operating room said that patients with tattoos have more post-operation complications, call more for pain meds or need more anesthesia than patients that don’t,” said Walker, who will graduate from ������Ƶ’s Physician Assistant Studies Program on Dec. 13. “I kind of saw it on my rotation but thought ‘Is this real?’”

Walker sought to answer that question through her research, presented at the annual ������Ƶ (SHS) Global Engagement and Research Forum on Dec. 9 in Alumni Gym. It was one of nearly 70 presentations from the departments of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies, Physical Therapy (PT) Education (PT) and Nursing. The forum started in 2019 and continues to be an opportunity to showcase collaborations across ������Ƶ’s campus and highlight opportunities for global learning.

The research question, according to Walker, didn’t have a solid answer – finding that there is some sensitivity depending on tattoo placement but no consensus on how tattoos impact pain and post-op complications. She found that there were no serious complications reported after an epidural puncture through a tattoo, and there is some concern among providers when it came to intubating patients with facial piercings.

“Overall, there’s more research that needs to be done, especially if tattoos are going to keep getting popular,” said Walker.

Critical, clinical topics

SHS Dean Maha Lund welcomed attendees to the forum, thanking faculty for helping guide the students through their projects.

“I greatly enjoyed seeing the extraordinary student work of our ABSN, PT and PA students at the Global Engagement and Research Forum,” said Lund. “Our students showcased an array of posters, highlighting clinical topics and health care challenges. The passion the students displayed in their presentations demonstrates their commitment to their chosen profession and will benefit their future patients.”

Nolan Barnes G’26, Austin Reames G’26, Ethan Rafal ’23 G’26 and Sadie Thompson G’26, first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students, looked at whether thigh girth and specific areas of the thigh can be used to determine if athletes are ready to return to sport following an ACL injury. The students measured from the top of the kneecap in various lengths to see if it was predictive of isokinetic and isometric knee strength – the standard for return to sport protocols for ACL injuries – finding that there are some abilities to predict strength 10 cm. above the kneecap.

“The Biodex is the primary instrument we use to look at isokinetic and isometric force. It’s also very expensive; it’s a very large piece of equipment and a lot of standard clinics don’t have access to the space for that kind of equipment, but everyone can buy a tape measure,” said Reames. “We were trying to see if that was a good way to bypass the need for a Biodex.”

The nurses’ perspective

Accelerated bachelor of science in nursing students Sarah Altmann ’24, Catherine Cambon ’24 and Walker Gagnon ’24 looked at the nurses’ perspective when performing end-of-life duties, including sedation and euthanasia. Their research found that nurses sometimes face ethical dilemmas when asked to administer this care and there was limited research on interventions that could help in these situations. Altmann, Cambon and Gagnon recommended more psychological and debriefing opportunities, along with clearer guidelines between providers and nurses in the level of patient needs and the care required.

“Hospice and palliative care is seen in every aspect of nursing,” said Cambon. “So, for anyone, it’s important to see different studies on the morals of it and how we can improve our care and communication to the providers.”

Offering humanity

The forum is also an opportunity for SHS students to showcase their global learning opportunities including programs in Italy, Australia, United Kingdom and Belize. Physician Assistant Studies students Tyler Arena G’24, Haley Harris G’24, Sam Kattiria G’24 and Maya LeeMaster G’24 went to Eldigeville, Belize to work in a medical clinic.

“We realized the importance of intercultural competence in our roles as future PA-Cs. We learned how to connect to patients across differences in language,” wrote Arena, Harris, Kattiria and LeeMaster in the presentation report. “We adapted to a different environment and culture, prioritizing the needs of our patients and establishing trust. This rotation helped shape our professional identities, reinforcing the need for empathy, adaptability, and lifelong learning.”

Julia Coenen G’24 and Amy Smelko G’24, Doctor of Physical Therapy students, were placed at a hospital in Umbertide, Italy, where they were able to observe cultural differences and commonalities in the health care system.

“With the emphasis on community, connection and culture within and outside the facility, we were granted an opportunity to discover that, at the end of the day, humanity is the best thing we have at our disposal to offer patients – whether across the ocean or right down the street,” wrote Coenen and Smelko in their presentation report.

Students across SHS departments raved about the programs and the attention they receive from faculty. Rafal noted he chose to get both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from ������Ƶ for this reason.

“The faculty care so much about their students, which makes it so easy to learn and grow as much as you can as a student and I really wanted to continue that in my graduate learning,” said Rafal. “I want to help people. We’ve all been there, know what it’s like to be injured, to be at a low point, and I just really want to help people grow and become who they want to be again.”

As part of the conference held in Winston-Salem, Aparna Pisharody from the Svasti School of Dance and her team were invited to perform a dance for the attendees to get a sense of Bharatanatyam. Pisharody has collaborated with Professor Srikant Vallabhajosula and Assistant Professor Jack Magill, faculty in the Physical Therapy Education department along with the three students for the ongoing research study. This project has been supported by the ������Ƶ Faculty Research and Development funds.

The Winston-Salem Dance Medicine Conference is a multi-disciplinary educational opportunity for physicians, allied health professionals, dancers, dance instructors, and students to review (or learn anew) the fundamentals of dance medicine, including unique biomechanics, genre-specific considerations, and social/psychological demands that may influence performance and injury risk.

The DPT program had ​14 presentations including one presentation in rapid-fire platform format, one in Thematic poster and 11 student-led poster presentations. Fifteen second-year DPT students and ​two faculty members represented ������Ƶ’s DPT program.

In addition, ​Ginny Shafer won the Research Award from the Biomechanics Interest Group for her presentation on biomechanical and musculoskeletal characteristics in child and adult bharatanatyam dancers. Josie Freeman won a travel award from the Biomechanics Interest Group for her presentation on effects of dual-tasking on endurance among older adults.

List of presentations:

Rapid Fire Platform
How Does Dual-Tasking Affect Distance Walked During An Endurance Task In Older Adults?
Josie Freeman, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Addison W. Andrews

Posters
Biomechanical And Musculoskeletal Changes In Pregnant Runners From The 3rd Trimester To 3 Months Postpartum
Milani Saldon, Andrew Miller, Jazmyne Davis, Kasey Sutryk, Grace London, Angela Spontelli Gissleman, Svetlana Nepocatych, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Shefali Christopher

Occurrence Of Self-Reported Injuries In Female Runners During Pregnancy And Postpartum
Jazmyne Davis, Kasey Sutryk, Milani Saldon, Andrew Miller, Angela Spontelli Gisselman, Svetlana Nepocatych, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Shefali Christopher

Relationship Between Severe Injuries And Current Physical Activity Levels In Former Collegiate Softball Athletes
Addison Swofford, Rachel Bromberg, Ashlyn Wolfe, Stephen Marshall, Ellen Shanley, Amanda Arnold, Daniel Kline, Laura McDonald, Garret Bullock, Kenzie Friesen, Sam Moore, Chelsea Martin

How Does Dual Tasking Effect Gait In Individuals Who Use Prosthetics?
Chaney Patton, Alex Miller, Nick Bush, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Alys Giordano

Establishing Performance Norms For Division I Football Players
Emi Chirigliano, Raya Coley, Isaac Murdock, Wes Roberson, Mary Kay Hannah, Jack Magill

Establishing Predictive Physical Performance Measures For Golf Swing Velocity
Gabby Flocco, Jack Magill

Effect Of Coffee Supplement On Anaerobic Exercise Performance
Airiann Page, Stephen Bailey, John Daniels, Ellie Bakalchuk, Emilize Momplaisir, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Gabriel K. Harris

Effects Of Heart Rate Variability On Insulin Resistance, Perceived Stress And Lean Body Mass
Jared Smith, John Magill, Svetlana Nepocatych

Predicting Maximum Eccentric Ground Reaction Force In Healthy Pediatric And Adolescent Athletes
Katie Messikomer, Sam Kosmacki, Alexis Nowell, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Jack Magill

Early Walkers- Understanding Gait Parameters To Improve Pediatric Pt Interventions 
Rachel Davis, Alannah Thomas, Kyle Jackson-Langworthy, Paula DiBiasio

The Effects Of Incremental Loading On Center Of Pressure And Sagittal Plane Kinematics In Healthy Adults During Safety Bar Squat
Thomas Van Dorp, Chas Sigloh, Madison Friday, Terris Hightower, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Jack Magill

Biomechanical And Musculoskeletal Characteristics In Child And Adult Bharatanatyam Dancers
Virginia Shafer, Kaleigh Jenkins, Danielle Essex, Kelly O’ Daniel, Ann Heil, John Magill, Srikant Vallabhajosula

Thematic Poster
Aging And Fall Risk On Peak Landing Force While Clearing An Obstacle In Immersive Technologies
Sara J. Moore, Jacob D. Rosengarten, William A. Huie, Alys Giordano, Pratheep K. Paranthaman, Srikant Vallabhajosula

Eight abstracts on diverse topics ranging from cardiovascular and pulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, pelvic health and sports sections were accepted for presentation. Six of the eight presentations were done by current 3rd year DPT students. Several ������Ƶ DPT graduates also attended and presented at the conference.

2024 Combined Session Meeting Presentations from ������Ƶ

(presenting author names bolded)

Educational Sessions

• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research: The Year 2023 in Review: Hannah McHugh G’17
• The Female Overhead Athlete: Sex- and Sport-Specific Considerations for Rehabilitation: Natalie Myers, Chelsea Leonard Martin G’19, Amanda Arnold, Ellen Shanley

Platform presentations

• Trends in heart rate variability during pregnancy and postpartum in recreational runners: James Gerosa, Koehna Jordan, Haley Langley, Liam McCullough, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Svetlana Nepocatych, Shefali Christopher, Angela Spontelli Gisselman

• Collecting Comprehensive Performance Metrics Is Possible with a Concise Test Battery: Kayleigh Harwell Beach, Logan Deese, Travis Woerner, Haley Becker, Mary Kay Hannah, John Magill

• Tandem Gait While Dual Tasking in Collegiate Athletes at Baseline and Post Concussion: Ashlyn Loring, Amy Smelko, Amber Olson, Caroline Ketcham, Eric Hall, Srikant Vallabhajosula

Poster presentations

• Prevalence of MetS in High School Seniors and Predictors of Carotid Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity: Caroline Guill, John Magill, Svetlana Nepocatych. Caroline also won the Catherine Worthingham Student Scholarship for her presentation at the conference.
• Graded Treadmill Test to Assess Exercise Intolerance in Older Adults: A Pilot Study: Crystal Ramsey, Karen McCulloch, Deanna DeMarco, Allie Knuckles G’23, Vicki Mercer
• Comparing Obstacle Clearance in Virtual and Mixed Reality Environments in Older Adults: Alexander Japit, Matthew Lawler, Christopher Go, Alicia Wilson, Stacey Walton, Oliver Tuisa, Pratheep Paranthaman, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Alys Giordano
• Does Dual Tasking Change Obstacle Clearance Patterns for Older Adults in Mixed Reality? Matthew Lawler, Christopher Go, Alicia Wilson, Alexander Japit, Oliver Tuisa, Stacey Walton, Alys Giordano, Pratheep Paranthaman, Srikant Vallabhajosula
• Use of the Optimal Theory to Facilitate Confidence and Increase Independence Following a Hemorrhagic Stroke: Deanna DeMarco G’23, Dustin Patrick, Oliver Tuisa, Crystal Ramsey