2026 Combined Session Meeting Presentations from 黑料不打烊
(Presenting author names bolded)

Platform Presentations:
Bridging the Classroom and the Clinic: Leveraging Emerging Clinicians’ Training to Address Patients’ Social Needs
Gary Johnson

The Perceptions and Experiences of Underrepresented Minority Faculty in Physical Therapy Education Programs
Gary Johnson

Performance Consistency in Functional Testing Predicts ACL-RSI Score after ACL Reconstruction in Collegiate Athletes John Magill et al.
John Magill

Poster Presentations:
Isolating Hamstring Strength: The Effect of Pelvic Stabilization on Eccentric Nordic Performance
Zach Ormond, Michael Reiman, Gary Johnson, John Magill

Does Thigh Girth Predict Knee Extension Isometric and Isokinetic Peak Torque?
Austin Reames, Sadie Thompson, Ethan Rafal, Nolan Barnes, Zachary Ormond, Mary Hannah, John Magill

Persistent Autonomic Dysfunction Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in an Older Adult: A Case Report
Sixela Caballero, Margaret MacIsaac, Crystal Ramsey

Improvement in Gait Speed Following High Intensity Gait Training Following Pediatric AVM Removal
Samantha Pawlovich, Addison Swofford, Crystal Ramsey

High Intensity Interval Ambulation Improved Two Minute Walk Test in an Individual with Chronic Stroke
Samantha Kosmacki, Matthew Urrutia, Crystal Ramsey

Assessing Autonomic Dysfunction in Older Adults Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Theory Report
Jeremy Baldes, Anna Carroll, Crystal Ramsey

High Intensity Bodyweight Support Treadmill Training Improved Overground Gait Speed for Primary Progressive MS
Sara Moore, Samantha Kosmacki, Virginia Shafer, Crystal Ramsey

The Optimal Theory Improved Balance and Gait in a Client with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Alexis Nowell, Alannah Thomas, Crystal Ramsey

High Intensity Treadmill Training Improved Fatigue in a Person with Mild Parkinson’s Disease
Addison Swofford, Chaney Patton, Alannah Thomas, Crystal Ramsey

Impact of High Intensity Gait Training on Balance and Endurance in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Alannah Thomas, Alexis Nowell, Crystal Ramsey

Gait and Balance Changes Following High Intensity Interval Treadmill Training in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease
Alannah Thomas, Danielle Essex, Crystal Ramsey

Fatigue, Fatiguability, and Gait Changes Following Large Amplitude Plus Treadmill Training in Advanced Parkinson鈥檚 Disease
Danielle Essex, Alannah Thomas, Crystal Ramsey

Bridging Gaps in Neurorehab: Addressing Health Disparities in Hispanic Patients
Emi Chirigliano, Veronica Romero-Perozo, Chaney Patton, Crystal Ramsey

Hip Strength Plays a Dominant Role in Execution of Forceful Movements during Bharatanatyam Dance
Kaitlin Kerr-Osman, Kaleigh Jenkins, Ginny Shafer, Danielle Essex, John Magill, Srikant Vallabhajosula

At ACSM, the DPT program had聽鈥媠even presentations,聽with all seven being聽student-led poster presentations.聽Seven DPT students and two faculty聽members represented the program.

At IADMS, the DPT program had two presentations, with one of them being a student-led presentation.

In addition,聽鈥婱olly Boda won the聽ACSM Biomechanics Interest Group Student Research Award聽for her presentation on聽the 鈥淓ffects of Age and聽Dual-tasking聽on Endurance Performance While Walking.”

List of presentations at ACSM:聽

“Effects of Age and聽Dual-tasking聽on Endurance Performance While Walking”: Molly Boda,聽Keira聽Oyen,聽Sydnie聽Fearrin,聽Josie聽Freeman,聽Srikant聽Vallabhajosula,聽Addison聽Andrews

“Improving Predictive Isometric Peak Torque Values in Division I Football Players:” Emi聽Chirigliano,聽Raya聽Coley,聽Issac聽Murdock,聽Wesley聽Roberson,聽Thomas聽Van Dorp,聽Zac聽Ormond,聽Mary Kay聽Hannah,聽Jack聽Magill

“Self-reported Questionnaires聽As聽Predictors聽Of聽Fasting Blood Glucose聽And聽Adiposity聽In聽Adolescents:” Christina聽Westbrooks,聽Sarah聽Burr,聽Cassidy聽Coleman,聽John聽Magill,聽Svetlana聽Nepocatych

“Does Thigh Girth Predict Knee Extension Isometric聽And聽Isokinetic Peak Torque?”Jack聽Magill,聽Austin聽Reames,聽Sadie聽Thompson,聽Ethan聽Rafal,聽Nolan聽Barnes,聽Zac聽Ormond,聽Mary Kay聽Hannah

“Utility Of Backwards Tandem Gait聽For聽Post-concussion聽Assessment:” Srikant聽Vallabhajosula,聽Lindsay聽Watkins,聽Conner聽Brown,聽Corinne聽Ferry,聽Charlene聽Tierney,聽Ashlyn聽Loring,聽Amy聽Smelko

“Impact Of Caffeine Supplementation聽On聽Aerobic Performance聽And聽Muscle Strength:” Stephen聽Bailey,聽Emilize聽Momplaisir,聽Stella聽Cooper,聽Clark聽Oliver,聽Maddie聽Whitaker,聽G Keith聽Harris

“Impact Of Caffeine Supplementation聽On聽Anaerobic Exercise Performance:” MacKenzie聽Dudley,聽Aaron聽Zettel,聽Caleigh聽Walklet,聽Emilize聽Momplaisir,聽G Keith聽Harris,聽Stephen聽Bailey

List of presentations at IADMS:聽

“Comparing peak hip joint angles during dance with active range of motion in Bharatanatyam dancers:” Kaitlin Kerr-Osman, Srikant Vallabhajosula

“Using wearable sensors to quantify Bharatanatyam dance:” Srikant Vallabhajosula, Kaleigh Jenkins

鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of our students,鈥� said Maha Lund, dean of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 School of Health Sciences. 鈥淭heir research topics and the depth of the work are impressive. What it shows me is that they have learned how to access original research and resources that will help them take care of their patients.鈥�

Twenty 3rd year DPT students presented 12 posters on topics related to their personal and professional growth while learning and exploring culturally unique healthcare settings across the world. As part of the DPTE Global Learning Opportunities program, students took DPT courses in locations across the US and around the world, including Peru, Italy, Australia, Belize and various US locations.

鈥淲e are celebrating students鈥� development of intercultural skills necessary to effectively work across differences, with the ultimate goal of delivering equitable, culturally responsive, and individualized healthcare,” said Paula DiBiasio, associate professor and director of the Global Learning Opportunities Program in the Department of Physical Therapy Education.

ABSN students showcased their research via eight evidence-based poster presentations on important topics, including management of pediatric migraines, family involvement in diabetic foot care, technology innovations to improve medication safety and many others. The students completed this research work as part of their “Evidence-based Nursing Practice” course.

鈥淎s these students prepare to begin professional nursing practice, it is essential that they are able to use the current research literature to provide evidence-based support for their practice,” said Associate Professor of Nursing Elizabeth Van Horn. “The students have done an excellent job of exploring and analyzing the research literature to make sound recommendations for nursing practice to improve patient care. We are all very proud of their accomplishments.鈥�

Thirty-eight 2nd year PA students each presented their research findings at the Forum. The students presented on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to research regarding drug trials, surgical options, and new treatments for emerging medical concerns.

鈥淭hese students are ready to move into their professional role as PAs and will bring this knowledge of the latest research with them in order to practice evidence-based patient care,” said Antoinette Polito, associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

Forty-six 1st year DPT students presented their research via 17 posters from their “Research Design III” course. The research project topics ranged from pediatric-, cardiovascular-, neurologic- and sports-physical therapy.

鈥淭hese presentations are a culmination of more than 6 months of quantitative, hands-on research experience,” said Srikant Vallabhajosula, professor and research coordinator for the Department of Physical Therapy, who also teaches the course. “Each group has gone through a different journey but culminated in this wonderful conference-like experience! I am proud of their hard work and thankful to the faculty members who mentored these groups in their research endeavors. I am hoping many of these will go to national conferences to give these students a richer exposure to research and evidence-informed practice.鈥�

Abstracts on diverse topics ranging from sports, pelvic health, pediatrics, neurology, geriatrics, education, and cardiovascular & pulmonary sections were accepted for presentation. In total, there were eight poster presentations and four podium/platform presentations. Nine of the 12 presentations were done by current third year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. Several 黑料不打烊 DPT graduates also attended and presented at the conference.

Raya Coley, a third year DPT student won the prestigious Catherine Worthingham Student Scholarship

2025 Combined Session Meeting Presentations from聽黑料不打烊聽(Presenting author names聽bolded)

Platform presentations

“Preadmission and Curricular Predictors of First-Time National Physical Therapy Examination Success”
John (Jack) Magill

“Educational Technology Acceptance and Use By Physical Therapy Faculty”
Melissa Scales

“How Does Dual-Tasking Affect Distance Walked and Gait during an Endurance Task in Older Adults?”
Josephine Freeman, Bill Andrews, Srikant Vallabhajosula

“Obstacle Clearance Behavior in Immersive Reality Environments Among Older Adults”
William Huie, Sara Moore, Jake Rosengarten, Alys Giordano, Pratheep Kumar Paranthaman, Srikant Vallabhajosula

Poster presentations

“Utilizing Neural Network to Predict Prevalence of MetS in High School Seniors”
Caroline Guill, John Magill,聽Svetlana Nepocatych

“The Influence of Anxiety and Stress on the Academic Performance of First-Year DPT Students”
Alys Giordano

“Concurrent Traumatic Brain Injury and Above Knee Amputation: A Multi-Modal Intervention Strategy”
Ashlyn Loring, Addison Andrews

“Modification of the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test for an Adult over 50: A Case Study”
Katelyn Carpenter, Hannah Wright, Michaela Fitzgerald, Crystal Ramsey

“Predicting Maximum Eccentric Ground Reaction Force in Healthy Pediatric and Adolescent Athletes”
Katherine Messikomer, Alexis Nowell, Samantha Kosmacki, John Magill, Srikant Vallabhajosula

“Changes in Kinetics of Runners from the 3rd Trimester to 3 Months Postpartum”
Milani Denise Saldon, Andrew Miller, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Svetlana Nepocatych, Angela Spontelli Gisselman, Shefali Christopher

“Musculoskeletal Characteristics Among Practitioners of the Bharatanatyam Dance”
Danielle Essex, Kaleigh Jenkins, Virginia Shafer, Kelly O’Daniel, John Magill, Srikant Vallabhajosula:

“Establishing Predictive Physical Performance Measures for Golf Swing Velocity”
Gabrielle Flocco, John Magill

The activities were designed as part of the National Biomechanics Day celebration that aspires to introduce the science of biomechanics to K-12 students. The Performing Arts, Exercise Science and Physical Therapy Education departments at 黑料不打烊 have worked together and participated in National Biomechanics Day activities since its inception in 2016.

Raya Coley, second-year 黑料不打烊 DPT student talked about the importance of balance and how the human body responds when its balance is challenged. The Haw River students had fun while learning about concepts of static balance that involved standing on a single leg on a foam surface with eyes closed and dynamic balance while doing a tandem walk on a narrow beam.

Lindsay Watkins, a first-year DPT student and Victoria Toal ’25, an undergraduate student majoring in psychology talked about the importance of proper body mechanics while jumping and landing with both feet and on one foot. The third-grade students had fun with some jumping competition measured using the Just Jump mat to see who could jump higher.

Stephanie Leathers, a first-year DPT student, talked about the role of physical therapists, the importance of bones and the proper way to carry backpacks. This session was adapted from the Bones and Backpack session founded by Professor of Physical Therapy Education Janet Cope. Leathers also talked about proper sitting posture.

Ian Rooney, a first-year DPT student, engaged the students in how to do push-ups and knee push-ups and the differences in swinging while properly using hands, legs and trunks.

Associate Professor in Exercise Science Matt Wittstein introduced the field of biomechanics and showcased a video on the Biomechanics Lab at 黑料不打烊 along with applications of biomechanics in health sciences and sports fields.

Professor in Physical Therapy Education Srikant Vallabhajosula coordinated the event with the third-grade teachers at the Alamance Community School in Haw River. This was the second time 黑料不打烊 personnel were invited to the elementary school to talk about human body and movement. The hands-on activities laid the foundation for the first-trimester project for the children.

Professor of Physical Therapy Education Srikant Vallabhajosula聽and Assistant Professor Alys Giordano examined how performing a concurrent cognitive task affects gait in individuals who use prostheses for walking especially while walking backwards. Vallabhajosula presented their findings in the recently held Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics in Madison, Wisconsin.

Professor Vallabhajosula also concluded his three-year term as the communications chair for the Society. 黑料不打烊 was represented by Professor Vallabhajosula and Associate Professor of Exercise Science Matt Wittstein at the conference. Wittstein co-led a hands-on workshop on聽AI in the Classroom at the Annual Meeting.

As part of the conference held in Winston-Salem, Aparna Pisharody from the Svasti School of Dance and her team were invited to perform a dance for the attendees to get a sense of Bharatanatyam. Pisharody has collaborated with Professor Srikant Vallabhajosula and Assistant Professor Jack Magill, faculty in the Physical Therapy Education department along with the three students for the ongoing research study. This project has been supported by the 黑料不打烊 Faculty Research and Development funds.

The Winston-Salem Dance Medicine Conference is a multi-disciplinary educational opportunity for physicians, allied health professionals, dancers, dance instructors, and students to review (or learn anew) the fundamentals of dance medicine, including unique biomechanics, genre-specific considerations, and social/psychological demands that may influence performance and injury risk.

The DPT program had 鈥�14 presentations including one presentation in rapid-fire platform format, one in Thematic poster and 11 student-led poster presentations. Fifteen second-year DPT students and 鈥媡wo faculty members represented 黑料不打烊鈥檚 DPT program.

In addition, 鈥婫inny Shafer won the Research Award from the Biomechanics Interest Group for her presentation on biomechanical and musculoskeletal characteristics in child and adult bharatanatyam dancers. Josie Freeman won a travel award from the Biomechanics Interest Group for her presentation on effects of dual-tasking on endurance among older adults.

List of presentations:

Rapid Fire Platform
How Does Dual-Tasking Affect Distance Walked During An Endurance Task In Older Adults?
Josie Freeman, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Addison W. Andrews

Posters
Biomechanical And Musculoskeletal Changes In Pregnant Runners From The 3rd Trimester To 3 Months Postpartum
Milani Saldon, Andrew Miller, Jazmyne Davis, Kasey Sutryk, Grace London, Angela Spontelli Gissleman, Svetlana Nepocatych, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Shefali Christopher

Occurrence Of Self-Reported Injuries In Female Runners During Pregnancy And Postpartum
Jazmyne Davis, Kasey Sutryk, Milani Saldon, Andrew Miller, Angela Spontelli Gisselman, Svetlana Nepocatych, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Shefali Christopher

Relationship Between Severe Injuries And Current Physical Activity Levels In Former Collegiate Softball Athletes
Addison Swofford, Rachel Bromberg, Ashlyn Wolfe, Stephen Marshall, Ellen Shanley, Amanda Arnold, Daniel Kline, Laura McDonald, Garret Bullock, Kenzie Friesen, Sam Moore, Chelsea Martin

How Does Dual Tasking Effect Gait In Individuals Who Use Prosthetics?
Chaney Patton, Alex Miller, Nick Bush, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Alys Giordano

Establishing Performance Norms For Division I Football Players
Emi Chirigliano, Raya Coley, Isaac Murdock, Wes Roberson, Mary Kay Hannah, Jack Magill

Establishing Predictive Physical Performance Measures For Golf Swing Velocity
Gabby Flocco, Jack Magill

Effect Of Coffee Supplement On Anaerobic Exercise Performance
Airiann Page, Stephen Bailey, John Daniels, Ellie Bakalchuk, Emilize Momplaisir, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Gabriel K. Harris

Effects Of Heart Rate Variability On Insulin Resistance, Perceived Stress And Lean Body Mass
Jared Smith, John Magill, Svetlana Nepocatych

Predicting Maximum Eccentric Ground Reaction Force In Healthy Pediatric And Adolescent Athletes
Katie Messikomer, Sam Kosmacki, Alexis Nowell, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Jack Magill

Early Walkers- Understanding Gait Parameters To Improve Pediatric Pt Interventions鈥�
Rachel Davis, Alannah Thomas, Kyle Jackson-Langworthy, Paula DiBiasio

The Effects Of Incremental Loading On Center Of Pressure And Sagittal Plane Kinematics In Healthy Adults During Safety Bar Squat
Thomas Van Dorp, Chas Sigloh, Madison Friday, Terris Hightower, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Jack Magill

Biomechanical And Musculoskeletal Characteristics In Child And Adult Bharatanatyam Dancers
Virginia Shafer, Kaleigh Jenkins, Danielle Essex, Kelly O’ Daniel, Ann Heil, John Magill, Srikant Vallabhajosula

Thematic Poster
Aging And Fall Risk On Peak Landing Force While Clearing An Obstacle In Immersive Technologies
Sara J. Moore, Jacob D. Rosengarten, William A. Huie, Alys Giordano, Pratheep K. Paranthaman, Srikant Vallabhajosula

For National Biomechanics Day at 黑料不打烊 this year, faculty and students from the departments of Exercise Science, Performing Arts, and Physical Therapy Education, collaborated with teachers and students from Alamance-Burlington School System鈥檚 Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) interested in the health sciences鈥痮n Thursday, April 11.

黑料不打烊 students led stations providing hands-on experience with different aspects of biomechanics, such as vertical jumping, strength, motor control, manual dexterity, gait and balance. The two-hour event was well attended with three CTEC teachers and 35 high-school students participating in celebrating NBD and learning about the field of biomechanics and career possibilities with 黑料不打烊 students and faculty.

Assistant Professor Jasmine Powell from Performing Arts, Assistant Professor Jacob Gdovin, Associate Professor Matthew Wittstein and Professor Joyce Davis from Exercise Science, Associate Professor Emeritus Sue Chinworth, and Associate Professor Srikant Vallabhajosula from Physical Therapy Education collaborated to plan for the NBD event.

Student volunteers included:
Sydney Love 鈥�25, Exercise Science
Kaitlyn Sumner ’26, Exercise Science
Taylor Haerbig 鈥�25, Exercise Science
Lilli Waldon ’25, Exercise Science
Kylie Paquin 鈥�25, Exercise Science
Matthew Luczkowski 鈥�26, Exercise Science
Madeline Jacobellis 鈥�26, Exercise Science
Owen Baillie ’25, Exercise Science
Sam Parker ’25, Exercise Science
Mackenzie Janes 鈥�24, Exercise Science
Lucy McAfee 鈥�26, Exercise Science
Emily Gagen 鈥�26, Exercise Science
Becca Zlepper 鈥�24, Exercise Science
Ethan Ackerman 鈥�25, Exercise Science
Spencer Hellinger 鈥�25, Exercise Science
Becca Derengowski 鈥�25, Exercise Science
Sofia Beljic 鈥�25, Exercise Science
Christina Westbrooks G鈥�26, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Maddie Whitaker G鈥�26, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Arielle Eure G鈥�26, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Eight abstracts on diverse topics ranging from cardiovascular and pulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, pelvic health and sports sections were accepted for presentation. Six of the eight presentations were done by current 3rd year DPT students. Several 黑料不打烊 DPT graduates also attended and presented at the conference.

2024 Combined Session Meeting Presentations from聽黑料不打烊

(presenting author names bolded)

Educational Sessions

• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research: The Year 2023 in Review:聽Hannah McHugh G鈥�17
• The Female Overhead Athlete: Sex- and Sport-Specific Considerations for Rehabilitation: Natalie Myers, Chelsea Leonard Martin G鈥�19, Amanda Arnold, Ellen Shanley

Platform presentations

• Trends in heart rate variability during pregnancy and postpartum in recreational runners: James Gerosa, Koehna Jordan, Haley Langley, Liam McCullough, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Svetlana Nepocatych, Shefali Christopher, Angela Spontelli Gisselman

• Collecting Comprehensive Performance Metrics Is Possible with a Concise Test Battery:聽Kayleigh Harwell Beach, Logan Deese, Travis Woerner, Haley Becker, Mary Kay Hannah, John Magill

• Tandem Gait While Dual Tasking in Collegiate Athletes at Baseline and Post Concussion:聽Ashlyn Loring, Amy Smelko, Amber Olson, Caroline Ketcham, Eric Hall, Srikant鈥疺allabhajosula

Poster presentations

• Prevalence of MetS in High School Seniors and Predictors of Carotid Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity:聽Caroline Guill, John Magill,聽Svetlana Nepocatych.聽Caroline also won the聽Catherine Worthingham Student Scholarship for her presentation at the conference.
• Graded Treadmill Test to Assess Exercise Intolerance in Older Adults: A Pilot Study:聽Crystal Ramsey, Karen McCulloch, Deanna DeMarco, Allie Knuckles G鈥�23, Vicki Mercer
• Comparing Obstacle Clearance in Virtual and Mixed Reality Environments in Older Adults:聽Alexander Japit, Matthew Lawler, Christopher Go, Alicia Wilson, Stacey Walton, Oliver Tuisa, Pratheep Paranthaman, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Alys Giordano
• Does Dual Tasking Change Obstacle Clearance Patterns for Older Adults in Mixed Reality?聽Matthew Lawler, Christopher Go, Alicia Wilson, Alexander Japit, Oliver Tuisa, Stacey Walton, Alys Giordano, Pratheep Paranthaman, Srikant Vallabhajosula
• Use of the Optimal Theory to Facilitate Confidence and Increase Independence Following a Hemorrhagic Stroke:聽Deanna DeMarco G鈥�23, Dustin Patrick, Oliver Tuisa, Crystal Ramsey