Foundation Announces 2025 Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research recently awarded scholarships to 25 highly qualified doctoral students and candidates who are committed to pursuing a career in research.

“We are honored to award these scholarships to support the next generation of physical therapy researchers,” says Paul A. Rockar, Jr., PT, DPT, MS, FAPTA, President of the Foundation. “All of our recipients demonstrate promise and dedication to advancing our profession through research and we look forward to seeing their growth as they continue their academic and professional journeys.”

The following doctoral students will receive $7,500 scholarships:

Amelia Cain, PT, DPT, University of Southern California, Community Mobility in Individuals with Chronic Stroke, to receive an award generously funded by the California Physical Therapy Fund of the California Physical Therapy Association.

Nina Carson, PT, DPT, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Examining Physical Activity After Total Knee Arthroplast, to receive the Charlene Mae Nelson Award, which is generously supported by the Charlene Mae Nelson Endowment Fund.

Stacey Chen, PT, DPT, Washington University in St. Louis, Investigating the Role of Dynamic Glenohumeral Stability in Shoulder Function, to receive the Phoebe Rhomberger Award, which is generously supported by the Phoebe Rhomberger Fund.

Amanda Clifton, PT, DPT, The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Exploring Links Between Breathing Strength, Cognitive Function, and Quality of Life in Children with Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease, to receive the Scot C. Irwin Award, which is generously supported by the APTA Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy Human Performance Endowment Fund.

Kellie Collins, PT, DPT, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Corticospinal Tract Integrity and Movement Assessments in Infants with Perinatal Brain Injury: Correlations and Predictive Value for Cerebral Palsy, to receive the Neurology Award, which is generously supported by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Endowment Fund.

Jessica Elliott, PT, DPT, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Addressing Barriers to Guideline Implementation for Patients with Disorders of Consciousness: A Mixed-Methods Approach, to receive the Acute Care Award, which is generously supported by APTA Acute Care.

Christina Kea Holl, PT, DPT, University of Southern California, Feedforward Control of Walking Post-stroke, to receive the Mildred L. Wood Award, which is given to a student who intends to teach in a physical therapy education program. This award is generously supported by the Mildred L. Wood Endowment Fund.

Claudia Kacmarcik, PT, DPT, University of Delaware, Healing of the Graft-Site Patellar Tendon following ACL Reconstruction, to receive the Florence Kendall Award, which is generously supported by the Florence P. Kendall Endowment Fund.

Benjamin Killen, PT, DPT, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Combining Motor Learning Approaches to Address Gait Impairment in People with Parkinson’s Disease, to receive the Viva J. Erikson Award, which is given to a pre-candidacy doctoral student for extraordinary academic merit and leadership. This award is generously supported by the Viva J. Erikson Endowment Fund.

Jemma Kim, PT, DPT, University of Delaware, Stepping Toward Equity: Leveraging Remote Wearable Technology to Understand the Influences of Contextual Factors on Activity and Sedentary Behavior, to receive the Patricia Leahy Award, which is generously supported by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Endowment Fund.

Matthew Lee Kuik, PT, DPT, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Optimizing Outcomes: Pathogenesis and Risk Factors for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome, and Restoring Function Post-Hip Arthroscopy Surgery, to receive the Phoebe Rhomberger Award, which is generously supported by the Phoebe Rhomberger Fund.

Sydney Liles, PT, DPT, University of Delaware, Identifying Barriers to Physical Activity in Adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, to receive the Goergeny Award, which is generously supported by the Goergeny Fund.

Matthew Paponetti, PT, DPT, The Ohio State University, Assessing Function, Body Composition, and Physical Activity in Adolescents with Obesity on Anti-Obesity Medications: A Physical Therapy Perspective, to receive the APTA Pediatrics Award, which is generously supported by the APTA Pediatrics Endowment Fund.

Ben Reader, PT, DPT, The Ohio State University, Advancing Physical Therapy for Children with Congenital Heart Defects, to receive the Scot C. Irwin Award, which is generously supported by the APTA Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy Human Performance Endowment Fund.

Zoe Sirotiak, PT, DPT, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Muscle Dysfunction in Long COVID: Investigating Mitochondrial and Immune Interactions in a Skeletal Muscle Model, to receive the Bella May Award, which is given to a pre-candidacy doctoral student who has demonstrated their intention to be teaching faculty and demonstrated creativity in their educational approaches to their doctoral studies. This award is generously supported by the Bella May Scholarship Fund.

Joel Thompson, PT, DPT, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Understanding Patient Self-Monitoring Techniques for Flare in Axial Spondylarthritis, to receive the Legacy Award, which is generously supported by the Legacy Fund for Scholarships.

Melissa Kim Tran, PT, DPT, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Exploring High-Intensity Rehabilitation: Patient Factors Influencing Physical Function Recovery in Older Adults Within Skilled Nursing Facilities, to receive the APTA Geriatrics Award, which is generously supported by the APTA Geriatrics Endowment Fund.

Lauren Van Valkenburgh, PT, DPT, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Bladder Dysfunction Symptoms and Activity and Sleep Behaviors in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: A Mixed-Methods Study, to receive the Pelvic Health Award, which is generously supported by the APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Endowment Fund.

The following doctoral candidates will receive $15,000 scholarships:

Timothy Fleagle, PT, DPT, The University of Iowa, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Achilles Tendinopathy: Elucidating the Relationship, to receive the the Phoebe Rhomberger Award, which is generously supported by the Phoebe Rhomberger Fund.

Ben Friedman, PT, DPT, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Evaluating Blood Flow Restriction and Low Load Resistance Exercise for Enhanced Muscle Quality and Physical Function in Older Adults with Sarcopenia, to receive the APTA Geriatrics Award, which is generously supported by APTA Geriatrics Endowment Fund.

Samuel Jackson, PT, DPT, University of Delaware, The Effect of Acute and Chronic Pain on Motor Learning and Retention, to receive the VCU-Marquette Challenge Award, which is generously supported by the APTA Supporting the Profession Endowment Fund.

Anne Leung, PT, DPT, Arcadia University, Exploring the Impact of Female Sex Hormones on Cortical Drive and Quadriceps Performance, to receive the Goergeny Award, which is generously supported by the Goergeny Fund.

Allison Nogi, PT, DPT, Georgia Institute of Technology, Effect of Vestibulospinal Input on Heteronymous Inhibition Between Antigravity Leg Muscles in Young and Older Adults, to receive the Marylou Barnes Award, which is generously supported by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Endowment Fund.

Matthew Picard-Fraser, PT, DPT, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Physiological and Behavioral Markers of Response to Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation, to receive the Karen St. John Award, which is generously supported by the St. John Family Foundation.

Andrew Smith, PT, DPT, University of Delaware, Investigating the Role of Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Achilles Tendon Structure and Function, to receive the Charlene Mae Nelson Award, which is generously supported by the Charlene Mae Nelson Endowment Fund.