Nursing
Dr. JoAnne Youngblut has an extensive NIH-funded research program with critically ill children and their families. She and Dr. Dorothy Brooten are studying (in English and Spanish) the physical and mental health and functioning of Black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and white parents, grandparents, and siblings through 13 months after a child’s NICU/PICU death. Findings have been published in Pediatrics, American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, among others.
Additional areas of study by faculty in this department include:
- Caregiver behavior support
- Peer-led behavioral interventions to slow sexually transmitted diseases
- Nurse research measurement
- Rural health
- Health disparities
- Diabetes
Athletic Training
Dr. Alicia Montalvo’s scientific inquiry encompasses the dynamic field of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries across several sports including soccer, basketball and handball. Dr. Montalvo is also studying inflammatory marker profiles following ACL injury and reconstruction. She has presented this work at prestigious venues such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers Association Annual Symposia.
Additional areas of study by faculty in this department include:
- Use of epigenetics to determine risk factors for injury
- Biomechanical interventions to improve performance and reduce injury risk
- Simulations teaching and learning strategies to improve clinical decision-making skills
- Learner-centered education to promote critical thinking skills
Communication Sciences & Disorders
Dr. Angela Medina’s research focuses on the manifestation of stuttering in bilingual individuals. Her ground-breaking work has been presented at national conferences of the American Speech Language Hearing Association conferences.
Additional areas of study by faculty in this department include:
- Aphasia
- Hearing loss and stuttering in bilingual children / Bilingual therapy interventions
- Vocabulary comprehension in autism
- Augmentative and alternative communication with severely impaired children
- Brain organization of language
- Role of bilingualism to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia
Occupational Therapy
Dr. Jacyln Schwartz is currently funded through Florida International University Embrace. Her work focuses on medication adherence across the life span. Dr. Schwartz is developing innovative ways to assist patients in managing medications, including the efficacy of customized 3-D printed pillboxes. She serves at the local and national levels of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Florida Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Additional areas of study by faculty in this department include:
- Health self-management
- Assistive technology
- Adults with physical and/or cognitive disabilities
- Driving and mobility safety for older adults
- Motor recovery in stroke patients through adaptive technology
Physical Therapy
Dr. Edgar Vieira’s research expertise includes risk assessment and prevention of aging-related mobility impairments, frailty and falls. His work employs both mixed methods research and the evaluation of mobility impairments and fall risks in older adults. Dr Viera’s clinical training and specialization (ergonomics) has led to numerous collaborative team science projects.
Additional areas of study by faculty in this department include:
- Use of high-density EMG to evaluate reorganization of nervous system after neurological injury
- Manifestation of chronic whiplash-associated disorders and behaviors during driving
- Evidence-based solutions for aging in place
