Research menu

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Samina Akbar, Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Microbiology and Immunology

We are interested in discerning the molecular evolution of multidrug resistance plasmids of Salmonella spp. in order to better understand the basis of genetic differences between these plasmids and the mechanism/s of their spread in nature. We are also examining the regulation of expression of Type III secretion genes in Salmonella Typhimurium and their role in bacterial virulence.

Roberta Baldus, D.H.Ed., PA-C

Assistant professor - Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Applied research in health education research

The purpose of this study is not only to measure individual health care provider’s baseline knowledge and abilities of providing medical care for injured and ill farmers, but to do so in an efficient one-day course. The aim of this research is to combine the educational methodology of lecture format with hands-on environmental experience at the time convenience of the health care provider. Rural population groups’ unique health concerns due to farming also relate to the geographic isolation, distance from health care facilities and social isolation. Recognition of these characteristics, by health care providers, allows an open attitude in the development of educational offerings that will improve health care provision for the agricultural population.

Andrew Brittingham, Ph.D.

Professor - Microbiology and Immunology

My lab is interested in all aspects of the host-pathogen interaction. One project focuses on the regulation of cytokine production by macrophages in response to microbial challenge. A second focuses on the molecular and cell biology of parasitic protozoa, including their interaction with insect vectors, and nutrient acquisition from their environment.

Pat Buchanan, Ph.D., ATC, P.T., GCFT

Associate professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Behavioral research

My research encompasses injury prevention, rehabilitation, and functional improvement from a life span developmental perspective. We use biomechanical and observational methods to evaluate motor behavior and interventions targeting improved movement and awareness. Current studies are focused on the effects of Feldenkrais Method of somatic education and practice patterns of Feldenkrais Teachers.

Traci Bush, P.T., OTR/L, DHS

Chair and program director - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Behavioral, health systems and population research

Students encountering academic difficulty are often provided with a variety of tools to assist them is improving their performance. We are studying the effectiveness of a peer tutoring program specific to its influence on established academic outcomes.

Laura Covill, D.P.T., OCS, COMT

Assistant professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Patient-centered research

The physical therapy profession continues to need evaluation of physical therapy interventions to determine the most effective and efficient treatment for patients.  Through partnership with local clinicians, we are evaluating different types of aquatic therapy interventions in patients with balance difficulties.  Other research projects include evaluating movement strategies with patients post total hip arthroplasty and force production during exercise in patients post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Pamela Duffy, P.T., Ph.D., OCS, CPC, RP

Assistant professor - Master of Public Health
Behavioral and health systems research

I have three primary categories of research interest: 1. Effective methodology for teaching cultural competency skills to health professions students; 2. Delivering culturally sensitive care to underserved populations; and 3. Measuring health care quality and efficiency. In 2011, I am developing my research agenda, and interested in a literature review of tools to measure cultural competency and transformational learning, as well as surveying and studying micropopulations seeking health care services at free clinics in Iowa.

Edward Finnerty, Ph.D., SC(ASCP), NAOME

Professor - Physiology and pharmacology
Patient-centered research

My research includes neurophysiology of pain, clinical studies of stroke and other neurological disorders and medical education.

Simon Geletta, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Master of Public Health
Behavioral, health systems and population research

My current research includes the evaluation, design and analysis of health education disease prevention (HPDP) programs. I currently have several implementations of such evaluations. One is called the Iowa Healthy Link program and is jointly funded by the Area Agency on Aging and the National Coalition on Aging.

Other projects that are in various stages of development include the analysis of infant mortality patterns and the incidence of sudden infant deaths, the investigation of ecological factors that impact a community’s health and the use of secondary health data for monitoring of population health.

I am also involved with a study that investigates the relationships between environmental factors that may be contributing to the concentration of water contaminants.

Jeffrey Gray, Ph.D.

Vice president - Research

We are interested in the analysis of multiple drug resistant organisms including Salmonella, E-coli, MRSA and Enterococci. We explore host-pathogen interactions as they relate to strategies to exclude and control pathogens and reduce infections. We have collaborative efforts to examine pathogen prevalence and transmission between hosts and between animals and humans.

Matthew Henry, Ph.D.

Chair and associate professor - Physiology and pharmacology
Laboratory-based research

Our lab studies aspects of cellular pharmacology related to proliferative diseases. Our goals focus on investigating the mechanism by which inhibitors of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway may be therapeutically beneficial in the treatment of diseases such as cancer. We are also interested in developing and assessing methods of disseminating medical knowledge in the undergraduate medical curriculum in order to identify the best practices for educating future health care providers.

Denise Hill, J.D., MPA

Assistant professor - Master of Health Care Administration
Behavioral, health systems and population research

Health care providers must understand medical-legal issues. This research explores how students learn by incorporating medical-legal issues (e.g., informed consent) into scenarios in the human simulation lab.

James Mahoney, D.P.M., FACFAS

Associate dean - Academic Affairs
Patient-centered research

Much of what is taught and practiced in the field of podiatric biomechanics is based on theory and not actual observation. This study will attempt to show that one of the founding principles of this area is potentially flawed; namely, that the heel during gait assumes at some point its neutral position, a position advocated by one of the founders of biomechanical theory, Dr. Merton Root. We believe, as does some current literature, that the heel never reaches neutral position. Rather, it is maintained throughout the gait cycle in a position of valgus which is regarded as a very unstable position. This has major implications for orthosis fabrication since podiatrists take the vast majority of cast impressions of the foot in neutral position. By determining heel position non-weightbearing in the manner described by Root and comparing it to the position during gait as measured in the DMU Human Performance Lab, we hope to shed light on this controversy.

Shane McClinton, D.P.T., OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS

Physical therapist - Physical therapy clinic
Patient-centered research

Integration of evidence into patient management is a crucial and evolving component to clinical practice. My research is focused on analyzing dynamic and static characteristics of individuals with musculoskeletal disorders in addition to the outcomes of manual and exercise interventions. My current research is focused on assessing characteristics (eg, lower leg and foot strength, range of motion, concurrent conditions, and treatment utilization) of individuals with plantar heel pain (aka, plantar fasciitis). 

J. Jeffrey Means, M.Div, Ph.D.

Chair and assistant professor - Behavioral Medicine, Medical Humanities and Bioethics
Behavioral, health systems and population research

Focus groups and interviews with care providers and families and friends of former hospice patients identified key elements of spiritual and relational care through end-of-life. Pilot educational workshops with direct care workers and lay spiritual caregivers were conducted and evaluated. Needs identified across disciplinary groups and systemic problem areas included: practical education about the physical stages of dying and spiritual dimensions of end-of-life, providers skilled in recognizing and discussing spiritual/religious concerns, part-time staffing practices that hinder communication among care providers and those they treat, and overly restrictive interpretations of HIPPA that disrupt the relational support networks critical to quality care.

Kathy Mercuris, P.T., D.H.S.

Associate professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Patient-centered research

Decreased balance and falls are a primary health concern for those with a neurologic dysfunction and/or the older population. My research focuses on clinical measures to assess balance and gait parameters as they relate to functional performance. Several projects are focusing on the use of a portable mat system to measure gait and the ability to complete a 180 degree turn.

Julia Moffitt, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Physiology and pharmacology

Investigation of neural control and autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function. Ongoing projects include studying the effects of vagus nerve stimulation on control of cardiovascular function and behavior in addition to investigating the effects of chronic exercise training and deconditioning on central nervous system control of cardiovascular function and hedonic behaviors.

April Newton, D.P.T.

Assistant professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Patient-centered research

Animal assisted therapy is being utilized in pediatric physical therapy services. Along with ChildServe, Johnston, Iowa, we are collaborating our efforts to investigate the efficacy of animal-assisted therapeutic interventions. Clinical education is my other area of research interest to identify types of educational experiences for students, certified clinical instructors and effective evaluation tools.

Marie Nguyen, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Microbiology and Immunology

Depending on the tissues affected Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infections lead to disease as minor as a cold sore or as devastating as encephalitis. Our goal is to elucidate host factors regulating HSV disease. A form of cell death, apoptosis, is a common response to viral infections. During HSV infection, an intricate balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic factors leads to a cell state in which apoptotic enzymes are activated in the absence of cell death. Our current research focus is to (i) define the impact of apoptosis on HSV replication and (ii) identify cellular players in this process.

Shannon Petersen, P.T., DScPT, OCS, FAAOMPT,COMT

Associate professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Patient-centered research

Manual therapy and exercise are among recommended interventions for patients with specific spinal and extremity disorders based on physical therapy clinical practice guidelines, although the interaction between these interventions is not clear. The focus of my current research is to examine the effects of thrust manipulation on muscle strength both locally and distant to the joint treated.

Alisdair “Rod” Philp, Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Biochemistry and Nutrition
Laboratory-based research

I investigate the neural circuits in the retina and hypothalamus involved in vision (image forming and non-image forming). Characterization of these systems will deepen our understanding of function, describe pathology of disease and aid in the development and evaluation of treatments such as gene/cell replacement therapies.

Rachel Reimer, Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Master of Public Health
Behavioral, health systems and population research

My research is focused broadly on examining how individuals make decisions about health, and the social, cultural, and environmental factors that affect those decisions. My current research is focused primarily on using social psychology theory to examine disparities between White and Latina women on factors associated with HPV vaccination (such as parent-child communication, religiosity, and perceived norms). I also research decision making for adolescent health risk behaviors such as alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviors. Finally, I am involved in experimental research examining the longitudinal effects of a childhood obesity prevention program.

Julie Ronnebaum, P.T., GCS

Assistant professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Patient-centered research

My research involves the investigation of mobility in the acute care setting, and the effects there of, for different patient populations.

Martin Schmidt, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Biochemistry and Nutrition
Laboratory-based research

Dr. Schmidt’s laboratory is currently examining the effects of a common broad-spectrum poison, boric acid, on the metabolism and cell biology of yeasts. The observations of both the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans aim at understanding boric acid’s mechanism of action and its suitability for alternative antifungal therapy. Dr. Schmidt also continues his work on the cell biology of S. cerevisiae that aims at a molecular understanding of cell wall synthesis and morphogenesis.

Muhammad Spocter, Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Anatomy

I am a biological anthropologist with a special interest in the comparative neuroanatomy of primates and reconstructing the evolutionary history of our species. Using a histological framework in conjunction with phylogenetically informed procedures, I aim at investigating the neuroanatomical features underlying the behavioral repertoire of large brained, social animals. My research has focused on issues relating to brain asymmetry and correlates with handedness, evolutionary changes in the homologues of human language areas, exploring scaling relationships at different levels of organization and characterizing the phenotypic changes that accompanied the evolution of large brains in other taxa. As a secondary interest, I am also engaged in collaborative projects in medical education and forensic anthropology.

More information about Dr. Spocter’s research

Tim Steele, Ph.D., MT (ASCP)

Chair and professor - Microbiology and Immunology

Our laboratory investigates the effects of statin drugs on the growth and cytotoxicity of human natural killer cell leukemia.  We seek to discover better therapies for the treatment of natural killer cell leukemias, which have a poor prognosis.

Katie Stevermer, PT, Ph.D., GCS

Assistant professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Laboratory-based and patient-centered research

My research uses biomechanical and clinical measures to evaluate postural stability and movement strategies during functional activities (stair descent, sit-to-stand, and gait) in older adults. Specific interests include stability assessment for individuals with musculoskeletal pathology, the analysis of directional changes during gait, and the comparison of movement strategies across age groups during sit-to-stand.

Teri Stumbo, P.T.

Associate dean - College of Health Sciences
Behavioral, health systems and population research

Education of students in the medical professions continues to change with the advancement of technology. We are currently investigating the use of computer-based tutorials/modules to teach students and clinical preceptors evidence-based practice skills. Future projects include evaluation of professional ethical and legal knowledge and application using human simulation laboratories.

Kim Tran, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Physiology and pharmacology

My laboratory is interested in various aspects of vascular biology, in particular vascular disorders associated with menopause, diabetes and hypertension. Calmodulin is the most important transducer of intracellular Ca²⁺ signals by virtue of its requirement for the functions of numerous cellular proteins and its insufficient expression for all its targets. Modulating aspects of calmodulin-dependent signaling thus represents therapeutic potential for many cardiovascular disorders. We use combination of molecular, cellular and biochemical approaches coupled with multi-wavelength intracellular imaging techniques to investigate the mechanisms and therapeutic options for alterations in calmodulin-dependent signaling associated with menopause, diabetes and hypertension. Currently we are (1) Elucidating signal transduction via a novel calmodulin-binding protein we recently identified that has been implicated in many cardiovascular functions; (2) Investigating intercellular interactions via calmodulin among the main cell types of the vasculature using a novel model we recently developed; and (3) Investigating the effects of sex hormones and their deprivation on intracellular signaling via Ca²⁺ and calmodulin as well as intercellular interactions in the vasculature.

Vassilios Vardaxis, Ph.D.

Professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Laboratory-based and patient-centered research

Our research interest is focused on the biomechanics of the human body and its relation to the onset of pathology as related to movement and load. Specifically, we study differences in gait and balance resulting from change or intervention (e.g., age, rehabilitation protocol, surgery) aiming to understand the relationships between the performance of activities of daily living, body structure, external forces and muscle function and pathology.

Currently we are investigating the intact foot function during activities of daily living and the differences in the compensation mechanisms employed by individuals with advanced hip and knee osteoarthritis.

Roberta Wattleworth, D.O., M.H.A., M.P.H., FACOFP

Professor - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Behavioral, health systems and population research

My project is on health literacy- we are preparing videos and brochures to dispense to area cities’ citizens and clinicians to increase communication between medical care providers and their patients.  The videos will be created here at DMU, and then presentations on common health literacy problems will be given to 10 cities around Iowa in an effort to decrease miscommunication between clinicians and their patients.  City librarians will also be trained to provide guidance to patients who come looking for information on health literacy since libraries will be the repositories for the brochures and videos which can be checked out. Topics include how to communicate with patients who have English as a second language, the hospitalized patient, parents of newborns, adolescents, and the elderly.

Wayne Wilson, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Biochemistry and Nutrition

Work in my laboratory focuses on the study of glycogen metabolism and its regulation. Glycogen is a branched polymer of glucose that functions as a store of both energy and carbon skeletons in many species ranging from mammals to bacteria. We have a longstanding interest in understanding the control of glycogen storage in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and, more recently, have expanded our work to consideration of the role of glycogen in a variety of protists of medical interest.

Robert Yoho, D.P.M., FACFAS

Dean - College of Podiatric Medicine
Patient-centered research

My interest is in evaluating bone quality in the diabetic. Preliminary studies have been completed on vitamin D levels and bone density in diabetic patients with and without Charcot neuroarthropathy and non-diabetics. The summer project is to develop a grant to expand the work already completed and explore additional factors to evaluate bone density for these subject groups.

Ann York, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Master of Health Care Administration
Behavioral, health systems and population research

Evidence-based practice (EBP) has become an essential component of health care delivery today. We are studying effective and efficient ways to deliver EBP educational content online to both students and clinical preceptors and are looking at the impact this education may have on patient care.

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