Faculty Scholarship in 2024 Sought to Enhance Health, Quality of Life, and Human Flourishing
Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is home to top-of-their-field researchers who are consistently making academic contributions that ultimately seek to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities.
In 2024, Robbins College researchers published more than 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals and publications. Below are examples from across the College, as well as a selection of grant-funded projects. These all support and strengthen the Robbins College Signature Research Initiatives. ∗Indicates Baylor student co-author
BEHAVIORAL AND HUMAN SCIENCES
ARTICLE: Exploring the Multifaceted Impact of Breast Cancer on the Body Image
in Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal
by Amelia Davis∗, Genevieve Acevedo∗, Alyssa Crowley-Miller∗, Angel Tran∗, Malay Shah∗, Mickey Langlais (HSD), Rodney Sturdivant, Gary Elkins, and Jeong-Ju Yoo (HSD)
ARTICLE: Posting Holistic Health and Fitness Reels on Social Media Platforms to Improve Soldier Health in the Brigade
in Military Medicine
by Katelyn Culley (Army-Baylor Occupational Therapy) and Elaina DaLomba (Army-Baylor Occupational Therapy)
FUNDED PROJECT: Measurement of Brain Activation Responses to Equine Interactions in Youth with Autism During a 10-week Manual Based Therapeutic Horseback Riding Intervention
Awarded by: Horses and Humans Research Foundation
Award Amount: $149,683
Scholar: Cory Smith (HHPR)
CHRONIC DISEASES AND CONDITIONS
ARTICLE: Binge Alcohol Consumption Elevates Sympathetic Transduction to Blood Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Trial
in Hypertension
by Jeremy A. Bigalke (HHPR), Ian M. Greenlund, Tatiana X. Solis-Montenegro∗, John J. Durocher, Michael J. Joyner, and Jason R. Carter (HHPR)
ARTICLE: Geographic Disparities in Availability of Hospital-Based Cardiac Services Across the United States
in Circulation
by Gabriel Benavidez (Public Health), Shanikque Blackwell, Peiyin Hung, and Elizabeth Crouch
FUNDED PROJECT: Utilizing Senolytics to Enhance the Response to Exercise in Cachectic Mice
Awarded by: National Institutes of Health
Award Amount: $355,600
Scholars: Cory Dungan (HHPR) and Michael Wiggs (HHPR)
HEALTH ACCESS AND QUALITY
ARTICLE: A Mixed-Methods Exploration of the Admissions Process and Criteria for Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs
in Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals
by Carly B. Gilson, Alison Prahl (CSD), Luis Morissette, Dongjin Kwon, and Paige Walker
ARTICLE: A Scoping Review of Policies to Encourage Breastfeeding, Healthy Eating, and Physical Activity Among Rural People and Places in the United States
in BMC Public Health
by M. Renée Umstattd Meyer (Public Health), Bailey Houghtaling, Marilyn E. Wende, Khawlah H. Kheshaifaty, Haley Delgado∗, Stephanie A. Eze∗, Cassady Mecate∗, Rebekah Summerall Woodward∗, Randa Lopez Morgan, and Kathy J. Krey
FUNDED PROJECT: The Impact of an Evidence-Based, Behavioral Cervical Cancer Screening Intervention Among Women Living with HIV in Ghana
Awarded by: National Institutes of Health
Award Amount: $2.5 million
Scholar: Matt Asare (Public Health)
(RE)HABILITATIVE SCIENCES
ARTICLE: Dry Needling Versus Manual Therapy for Patients with Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
in Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
by Jeevan Pandya, Emilio J. Puentedura (Physical Therapy), Shane Koppenhaver (Physical Therapy), and Josh Cleland
ARTICLE: Telepresence Robotics in Clinical Education: Enhancing Student Engagement and Learning Outcomes
in Journal of Education Technology in Health Sciences
by Kirsten Davin (Occupational Therapy), Barbara M. Doucet (Occupational Therapy), and Ricardo Altahif (Occupational Therapy)
FUNDED PROJECT: Conservative Care for Pelvic Pain in Women Service Members: A Multisite, Multigroup Noninferiority Randomized Clinical Trial with Development of Clinical Decision Tools
Awarded by: Department of Defense
Award Amount: $2.5 million
Scholars: Shane Koppenhaver (Physical Therapy) and Laurel Proulx (Physical Therapy)
Awards and Honors
In 2024, many Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences faculty were recognized for professional excellence and significant contributions in their respective fields. A few highlights include:
Ricky Altahif (Occupational Therapy)
Appointed President for the Texas Society for Hand Therapy
Lt. Col. Carly Cooper (Army-Baylor Occupational Therapy)
Recognized as the COL Gail D. Deyle Outstanding GAHE Program Director by the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium
Maj. Andrew Golden (Army-Baylor Physical Therapy)
Awarded the 2024 Outstanding Physical Therapist Fellow Award by the American Physical Therapist Association
Rebecca Jones-Antwi (Public Health)
Received a Career Development Award from the American Heart Association
Kim Smith (HHPR)
Elected to the Executive Board for the Texas Association of Advisors for the Health Professions
ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes six academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; and Public Health—along with the Division of Health Professions, which houses the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.