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.

Tafline Arbor, Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Anatomy
Laboratory-based research

My research focuses upon the comparative anatomy, biological variation, and evolutionary history of human and non-human primates. Specifically, I use quantitative and qualitative comparative methods to examine morphological variation both within and between living human and non-human primate species. I employ these data to reconstruct the functional and evolutionary significance of skeletal features exhibited by fossil human and non-human primates. My primary goal involves reconstructing the functional adaptations and relationships of the early bipedal human, genus Australopithecus.

In addition, I am interested in the extinction of primates in North America and participate in paleontological fieldwork and analysis of fossil mammals from Eocene and Oligocene deposits in northwestern Nebraska. This work focuses on assessing the composition of non-primate small mammal fossils to address biogeographic issues relating to the extinction of primates in North America (including climate change, small mammal species competition, and species movements).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Marie Nguyen, Ph.D.

Assistant 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

Assistant 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.

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.

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

Katie Stevermer, PT, Ph.D., GCS

Assistant professor - Post-Professional 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 (sit-to-stand, stair descent and gait) in older adults. Specific interests include stability assessment during stair descent for individuals with functional limitations due to musculoskeletal pathology, and the comparison of movement strategies across age groups during sit-to-stand.

David Strom, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Physiology and pharmacology
Laboratory-based research

My laboratory works in identifying important biomarkers in human cancer. Currently, we are working on biomarkers associated with pancreatic cancer, one of the most devastating cancers in humans. We aim to identify new biomarkers that will aid in earlier detection and better treatments.

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.

Joseph Weir, Ph.D., FACSM

Professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Behavioral research

My research area is in exercise physiology, with primary emphasis in the areas of muscle strength and muscle fatigue. Current studies in the applied physiology lab include the examination of force differences between limbs during strength training and examination of the relationship between biomechanical and metabolic measurements during fatiguing exercise.

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.