Fevzi Akinci, PhD, MHADean

RESEARCH FACULTY PROFILES

JOHN G. RANGOS, SR. SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

RESEARCH FACULTY PROFILES

JOHN G. RANGOS, SR. SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

MISSIONEducating ethical healthcare professionals to engage and serve diverse

local and global communities to advance person-centered healthcare.

VISIONWe will be leaders in educational innovation, interdisciplinary

research, and community engagement.

JOHN G. RANGOS, SR. SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

ATHLETIC TRAINING

ERICA BEIDLER, PhD, LAT, ATCAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Athletic TrainingEducation:PhD – Michigan State University (Kinesiology)

MEd – University of Virginia (Kinesiology, concentration in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training)

BS – Mercyhurst University (Athletic Training)

Research Interests:• Sport-related concussions

• Psychology of injury

• Mental health and wellness

SARAH MANSPEAKER, PhD, ATCAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Athletic TrainingEducation:PhD – Old Dominion University (Human Movement Science, Cognate in Curriculum and Instruction)

MSEd – Old Dominion University (Physical Education/Athletic Training)

BS – Duquesne University (Athletic Training)

Research Interests:

• Interprofessional education and practice

• Teaching through simulation

• Evidence-based practice in teaching and clinical practice

ATHLETIC TRAINING

ENGINEERING MELIKHAN TANYERI, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of EngineeringEducation:PhD – University of California, Davis (Physics)

BS – Bogazici University (Physics)

Research Interests:• Biomedical microdevices, micro and nanosystems for biology and medicine

• Microfluidics, bioMEMS/NEMS, in vitro diagnostics, lab-on-a-chip, optical biosensors

• Detection and manipulation techniques for biomolecules, cells and microorganisms

R E S E A R C H F A C U L T Y P R O F I L E S

JOHN G. RANGOS, SR. SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY R E S E A R C H F A C U L T Y P R O F I L E S

JOHN A. VIATOR, PhDDepartment Chair and ProfessorDepartment of EngineeringEducation:PhD – Oregon Health & Science University (Electrical Engineering)

MS – University of Oregon (Mathematics)

BS – University of Washington (Physics)

Research Interests:• Lasers in medicine, including oncology, dermatology, surgery, and

ophthalmology

• Photoacoustic flow cytometry for blood testing

• Optical properties of living tissue

BIN YANG, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of EngineeringEducation:PhD – The University of Texas at Austin (Biomedical Engineering)

MSc – University of Rochester (Optics)

BSc – Wilfrid Laurier University (Photonics with High Distinction)

BSc – Jiangsu University (Photoncis)

Research Interests:• Soft tissue characterization using optical techniques

• Translational imaging development

• Computational biomedical optics

RANA ZAKERZADEH, PhD, M.Sc.Assistant ProfessorDepartment of EngineeringEducation:PhD – University of Pittsburgh (Computational Modeling & Simulation)

MSc – Amirkabir University of Technology (Biomedical Engineering, Biomechanics)

BSc – Amirkabir University of Technology (Biomedical Engineering, Biomechanics)

Research Interests:• Biomechanics

• Computational mechanics

• Fluid–structure interaction (FSI)

R E S E A R C H F A C U L T Y P R O F I L E S

HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH

AHMAD KHANIJAHANI, PhD, CPHAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Health Administration and Public HealthEducation:PhD – University of Central Florida (Health Services Management and Research)

MS – Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Economics)

BS – Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (Health Services Administration)

Research Interests:• Health disparities and social determinants of health

• Big data and machine learning in health research

• Health policy and economics

FAINA LINKOV, PhD, OTR/LDepartment Chair and Associate ProfessorDepartment of Health Administration and Public HealthEducation:PhD – University of Pittsburgh (Epidemiology)

MPH – University of Pittsburgh (Behavioral and Community Health Science)

BS – University of Pittsburgh (Psychology Certificate in Conceptual Foundation of Medicine)

Research Interests:• Cancer prevention and control

• Healthcare optimization 

• Global health

FEVZI AKINCI, PhD, MHADean and ProfessorDepartment of Health Administration and Public Health Education:PhD – St. Louis University (Health Services Research)

MHA – St. Louis University (Health Administration)

BS – Hacettepe University (Health Administration)

Research Interests:• Burden of disease and chronic care management• Health care access and utilization• Comparative international studies

JOHN G. RANGOS, SR. SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY R E S E A R C H F A C U L T Y P R O F I L E S

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

JERYL BENSON, EdD, OTR/LAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Occupational TherapyEducation:EdD – Duquesne University (Educational Leadership)

MS – University of Pittsburgh (Motor Development)

BS – University of Pittsburgh (Occupational Therapy)

Research Interests:• School-based occupational therapy practice studies

• Sensory processing and occupation

• Scholarship of teaching and learning

MEGHAN BLASKOWITZ, DrPH, OTR/LAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Occupational TherapyEducation:DrPH – State University of New York at Albany (Public Health)

MOT – Duquesne University (Occupational Therapy)

BS – Duquesne University (Health Sciences)

Research Interests:• Disparities experienced by people with intellectual and developmental

disabilities (IDD)

• Public health interventions for people with IDD

• Community-engaged teaching and research strategies

ELENA DONOSO BROWN, PhD, OTR/LAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Occupational TherapyEducation:PhD – University of Washington (Rehabilitation Science)

MS – Duquesne University (Occupational Therapy)

BS – Duquesne University (Health Sciences)

Research Interests:

• Assessment and rehabilitation of adults with neurological disorders

• Rehabilitation recommendations to improve health outcomes and decrease care costs

• Use of technology in measurement of clinical outcomes and the classroom

R E S E A R C H F A C U L T Y P R O F I L E S

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

PHYSICAL THERAPY

AMY MATTILA, PhD, OTR/LAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Occupational TherapyEducation:PhD – Robert Morris University (Instructional Management and Leadership)

MBA – University of Phoenix (Health Care Administration)

MS – Duquesne University (Occupational Therapy)

BA – Duquesne University (Psychology)

BS – Duquesne University (Health Sciences)

Research Interests:• Behavioral health in occupational therapy

• Scholarship of teaching and learning

• Substance use disorders

KIMBERLY A. SZUCS, PhD, OTR/LAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Occupational TherapyEducation:PhD – The Ohio State University (Health and Rehabilitation Sciences)

MS – The Ohio State University (Anatomy)

BS – The Ohio State University (Occupational Therapy)

Research Interests:• Describing biomechanical and neuromotor control changes that are

precursors to the development of cumulative trauma disorders and pathology

• Work ergonomics, specifically the effects of manual labor and computer work on joint motion and muscle activation

• Effects of pain on physical activity, occupational performance, and anxiety

ANNE M. BURROWS, PhD, DPTProfessorDepartment of Physical TherapyEducation:PhD – University of Pittsburgh (Biological Anthropology)

DPT – Slippery Rock University (Physical Therapy)

MS – University of Pittsburgh (Anthropology)

BS – University of Pittsburgh (Biology)

Research Interests:• Primate feeding biomechanics

• Non-vocal communication

• Primate facial expression and its evolution

JOHN G. RANGOS, SR. SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY R E S E A R C H F A C U L T Y P R O F I L E S

BENJAMIN R. KIVLAN, PhD, PT, SCS, OCS, CSCSAssistant Professor Department of Physical TherapyEducation:PhD – Duquesne University (Rehabilitation Science)

MS – Duquesne University (Rehabilitation Science)

MPT – University of Pittsburgh (Physical Therapy)

BS – Elon University (Exercise/Sports Science)

Research Interests:• Movement based dysfunctions of the hip joint

• Outcomes for non-arthritic/pre-arthritic hip pain

• Anatomical studies of the hip joint

REGINA HARBOURNE, PhD, PT, PCS, FAPTAAssociate Professor Department of Physical TherapyEducation:PhD – University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Omaha (Development Psychology)

MS – University of North Carolina (Physical Therapy)

BS – Medical College of Virginia (Physical Therapy)

Research Interests:• Efficacy of intervention for children with disabilities, specifically infants

• Postural control; infant development of motor control

• Visual attention and motor control

• Cognitive and motor interaction during development

MATTHEW KOSTEK, PhD, FACSMAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Physical TherapyEducation:Post-Doc – Children’s National Medical Center & George Washington University School of Medicine (Molecular Genetics of Muscle)

PhD – University of Maryland (Exercise Physiology and Genetics)

MS – Ball State University (Clinical Exercise Physiology)

BS – Youngstown State University (Exercise Science)

Research Interests:• Muscle physiology of aging, injury, and rehabilitation

• Duchenne muscular dystrophy

• Genetics of sports medicine and rehabilitation

R E S E A R C H F A C U L T Y P R O F I L E S

GREGORY F. MARCHETTI, PhD, PT, CPEAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Physical TherapyEducation:PhD – University of Pittsburgh (Epidemiology)

MS – University of Pittsburgh, (Health and Rehabilitation Sciences)

BS – University of Maryland (Physical Therapy)

Research Interests:• Epidemiology, health outcomes and biostatistics

• Oculomotor and postural control effects of mild traumatic brain injury

• Ergonomic analysis, intervention and system design

ROBROY MARTIN, PhD, PT, CSCSProfessor Department of Physical TherapyEducation:PhD – University of Pittsburgh (Rehabilitation Science)

BS – State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse (Physical Therapy)

Research Interests:• Musculoskeletal disorders of the lower extremities

• Labral tears and hip arthroscopy

• Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM)

• Hip Outcome Score (HOS)

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

BRIDGET C. CALHOUN, DrPH, PA-CAssociate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research Department Chair and Associate Professor Department of Physician Assistant StudiesEducation:DrPH – University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health (Infectious Diseases and Microbiology)

MPH – University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health

MMS – St. Francis University (Medical Science)

BS – St. Francis University (Physician Assistant)

Research Interests:• HIV/AIDS

• Public health

• Global health

JOHN G. RANGOS, SR. SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY

AFOKOGHENE ZINO OKPOZO, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Physician Assistant StudiesEducation:PhD – University of Maryland (Organizational Leadership)

MBBS – University of Benin (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)

Research Interests:• Improvement of health safety practices and prevention of infectious

and communicable diseases

• Application of ethical methods for tracking leadership behaviors and effectiveness

• Development and application of ethical leadership practices for the amelioration of burnout factors among medical practitioners

BRENDA SWANSON-BIEARMAN, DNP, MPH, RNAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Physician Assistant StudiesEducation:DNP – Waynesburg University (Executive Leadership)

MPH – University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health

BSN – Carlow College (Nursing)

Research Interests:• Simulation

• Healthcare systems changes for patient safety

• Toxicology, injury, aging

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

ABIGAIL DELEHANTY, PH.D., CCC-SLPAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Speech Language PathologyEducation:PhD – Florida State University (Communication Science and Disorders)

MA – The University of Texas at Austin (Communication Sciences and Disorders)

BS – The University of Texas at Austin (Communication Sciences and Disorders)

Research Interests:• Early detection of language disorders and autism

• Social communication development in early childhood

• Technology-supported assessment and intervention

R E S E A R C H F A C U L T Y P R O F I L E S

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

MEGAN OVERBY, PhD, CCC-SLPAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Speech-Language PathologyEducation:PhD – University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Psychological and Cultural Studies: Speech-Language Pathology)

MA – University of Iowa (Speech Pathology)

BA – Denison University (Speech Science)

Research Interests:• Childhood apraxia of speech and other pediatric speech sound disorders

• Literacy impairments

• Telepractice

HEATHER L. RUSIEWICZ, PhD, CCC-SLPAssociate Professor Department of Speech-Language PathologyEducation:PhD – University of Pittsburgh (Communication Science and Disorders)

MA – University of Pittsburgh (Communication Science and Disorders)

BA – University of Pittsburgh (Communication Science and Disorders)

Research Interests:• Entrainment of speech and body movements in children and adults 

• Treatment of speech sound disorders in children and adults using manual mimicry gesture cues and ultrasound visual biofeedback

• Rhythmic coordination of speech, body movement, and music performance

SARAH E. WALLACE, PhD, CCC-SLPAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Speech-Language PathologyEducation:PhD – University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Communication Disorders)

MA – Western Michigan (Speech-Language Pathology)

BEd – Miami University of Ohio (Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology)

Research Interests:• Aphasia and traumatic brain injury

• Augmentative and alternative communication

• Computerized cognitive assessment

• Interprofessional education