FGCU: Department of
Rehabilitation Sciences
Faculty Areas of Research/ Expertise
Dr. Eric Shamus, PhD, DPT, CSCS
• Research and scholarly interests:
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Sports medicine
Manual therapy
Orthopedics
Gait dysfunction
Documentation
Therapeutic Exercise
Professional Practice Issues
Survey research
Dr. Arie van Duijn, EdD, PT, OCS
• Research and scholarly interests:
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Diagnostic ultrasound
Motion analysis
Manual therapy and orthopedic interventions
Teaching and learning/ instructional strategies for
physical therapy practice
• Curricular design
• Reliability and validity of tests and measures
• Orthopedic assessment
• Survey research
Dr. Stephen Black, DSc, PT, ATC, CSCS
• Research and scholarly interests:
• Health promotion and wellness
• Prevention of overweight and obesity
• Proper nutrition
• Physical activity
• Cardiovascular response to exercise
Professor Ellen Donald, MS, PT
• Research and scholarly interests:
• Motion analysis and gait dysfunction
• Use of orthotic and prosthetic devices
• Fitness in special populations
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Weight management/ obesity
Amputees
Pediatric populations (disabled and non-disabled)
Older adults
• Pediatric assessment and intervention
• Teaching and learning in the health professions
• Therapeutic exercise approaches
• Pilates
• Aquatics
Dr. Ahmed Elokda, PhD, PT, FAACVPR
• Research and scholarly interests:
• Exercise physiology/ exercise interventions for special
populations:
• People with cardiac/ pulmonary impairment
• People with diabetes
• Geriatrics
• Exercise response and oxidative stress
Dr. Kathy Swanick, DPT, MS, OCS
• Research and scholarly interests:
• Health promotion and wellness
• Prevention and management of osteoporosis
• Manual therapy interventions
• Physical agents and therapeutic modalities (ultrasound,
electrical stimulation)
• Wound care
• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Acute care and physical therapy in the intensive care unit
• Evidence-based practice
• Teaching and learning in the health professions
• Online learning
• Curricular design
Professor Vern Swanson, MS, PT
• Research and scholarly interests:
• Prosthetic design, gait mechanics, and rehabilitation in
the amputee population
• Teaching and learning in the health professions
• Student assessment and admissions standards for PT education
• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Manual therapy (soft tissue mobilization)
• Management of traumatic brain injury
Dr. Jacqueline van Duijn, DPT, OCS, DCE
• Research and scholarly interests:
• Teaching and learning in the health professions
• Clinical education program assessment
• Evidence based practice
• Orthopedic physical therapy assesments and
interventions
• Manual therapy of the spine
• PT management of cervicogenic headaches
• PT management of congenital muscular torticollis
Dr. Mollie Venglar, DSc, MS, PT, NCS
• Research and scholarly interests:
• Physical therapy and assessment and management of
neurological disorders:
• Central nervous system pathology including CVA, SCI, and
Parkinson’s disease
• Rehabilitative equipment for people with CNS disorders
• Clinical application of kinesiotape
Dr. Rose Pignataro, PhD, DPT, CWS, CHES
• Research and scholarly interests:
• Health promotion and wellness
• Health behavior change
• Tobacco cessation
• Physical activity in people with overweight/ obesity
• Prevention and management of diabetes/ diabetic foot problems
• Social and behavioral theory
• Motivational interviewing and patient education
• Wound management
• Public health
• Health disparities
• Rural health
• Teaching and learning in the health professions
• Clinical education
• Online/ hybrid instruction
• Survey research
• Program evaluation
Current Department Research
• Possibilities of continued research
• Expanded sample size
• Modifications to protocol
• Study methodology
• Future studies in similar areas
Current Department Research
• Peer Counseling for Tobacco Cessation Among College
Students:
• Drs Shamus and Pignataro
• Jason Murillo, SPT
• National Physical Therapist Survey – Tobacco
Cessation Counseling:
• Drs Shamus and Pignataro
• Tobacco Cessation Counseling Training for Physical
Therapists and Student Physical Therapists:
• Dr. Pignataro
Current Department Research
• Use of Kinesiotape in PT Practice: need for expanded study samples
• Ankle instability
• Drs. Craddock and Venglar
• Rachel Passarella and Derek Rasmussen, SPT
• Ankle plantarflexion force production
• Drs. Craddock and Venglar
• Kelly Hermes and Regi Bastien, SPT
• Golf swing
• Drs. Craddock and Venglar
• Josh Bridge, SPT
• Ball speed in soccer players
• Dr. Black and Prof Swanson
• Anthony Terrou and Patrick Hayden, SPT
• Concentric force production of the quadriceps
• Drs. Craddock and Venglar
• Katie Haerle and Jenny Zweibel, SPT
• Force production of the biceps
• Drs. A van Duijn and Venglar
• Amy Simone and Doak Wingert, SPT
Current Department Research
• Functional Movement Screen and Correlation with
Injury Rates:
• Collegiate athletes
• Dr. Black
• Professor Swanson
• Aliison Weir, Heather Bodin, SPT
• CrossFit athletes
• Drs. Black and Elokda
• Emily LaFontaine and Jessica Serenko, SPT
Current Department Research
• Effects of Vibration Platform
• Balance and geriatric population
• Drs. Shamus and A. van Duijn
• Alex Wann and Ryan Hickey, SPT
• Use of Diagnostic Ultrasound:
• Measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue
• Professor Donald & Dr. Black
• Kierra Ochs and Morgan Hinds, SPT
• Low Impact Aerobic Exercise in People who are PostBariatric Surgery:
• Drs Swanick and Pignataro, Prof Donald
• Paul Kirk and Matt Smith, SPT
Current Department Research
• Health promotion and wellness in people with MS:
• Program evaluation: MS Center of SW Florida
• Drs. Pignataro and Venglar
• Jacob Young, SPT
• Changes in Gait Patterns During Pregnancy:
• Drs A van Duijn and Pignataro
• Vince Eddinger and Samantha Lovos, SPT
• Supported Gait Training in People with Below Knee
Amputations:
• Prof Swanson and Dr. Pignataro
• Matt Rutledge, SPT
Future Projects
Faculty Member
Project Title/ Topic
R. Pignataro
The Perceived Value of International
Student Experiences in Health
Professions Education