School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION CEREMONY
WELCOME
Yael Arbel, PhD, CCC-SLP
OPENING REMARKS
Nara Gavini, PhD, MPhil Associate Provost for Research
STUDENT SPEAKER
Brenda C. Lovette, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS 2024 PhD Candidate
RESEARCH MENTOR REMARKS
Tiffany Hogan, PhD, CCC-SLP
Teresa Kimberley, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Ruth Palan Lopez, PhD, GNP-BC, FGSA, FAAN
Elise Townsend, DPT, PhD, PCS
PROGRAM AWARDS
The Dr. David Krebs Doctoral Research Fund Award
The Gregory L. Lof Dissertation Support Fund
CLOSING REMARKS
Yael Arbel, PhD, CCC-SLP
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES
2024 DEGREE CANDIDATES
Timothy Deluca
Research Mentor
Tiffany Hogan, PhD, CCC-SLP
Dissertation: Children with Language Disorders in Public School Systems: Leveraging Implementation Science to Inform Interprofessional Practice and Instruction
Thank you to my family, friends, and colleagues who have supported me along the way. As Brene Brown says, "I'm here to get it right, not to be right". Special thanks to the children and families centered in this work and all they have taught me.
Research Mentor
Elise Townsend, DPT, PhD, PCS
Dissertation: The Development, Application, and Interpretation of Clinical Outcome Assessments in Neurogenetic Rare Pediatric Diseases
I would like to dedicate this work to all the children and families impacted by rare neurogenetic diseases, from whom I have learned so much. I extend my sincere thanks to the National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association (NTSAD), Ryan's Quest, and Michael's Cause for their support of this work. I will continue to use the skills I have developed in my PhD training to advance clinical care and treatment development for those impacted by rare neurogenetic diseases.
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire’” - attributed to Plutarch. Thank you to my many mentors, colleagues, friends, and family for helping me develop my passion for scientific inquiry and the skills and confidence to pursue it.
Brenda Lovette
Research Mentor
Ruth Palan Lopez, PhD, GNP-BC, FGSA, FAAN
Dissertation: Paving the Way for a Novel Rehabilitation Clinician Supported Mindfulness-based Intervention for Persistent Concussion Symptoms
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all my mindfulness teachers, from renowned spiritual leaders and academics who embody mindfulness in action and strive to disseminate these teachings to the public, to everyday mindfulness exemplars such as artists, gardeners, children, the moody New England weather, and the ultimate mindfulness guru, Clarissa, my beloved cat.
I would also like to thank my esteemed mentors, professors, and collaborators at the IHP for their invaluable contributions and guidance throughout my training. Lastly, I am profoundly grateful for my family and friends for their endless support.
I am particularly thankful for my spouse, Kathryn "Ty" Tylander, for their unwavering belief in me, many homemade matcha lattes, and for co-creating our beautiful life filled with accomplishments and joy.
Katharine Radville
Research Mentor
Tiffany Hogan, PhD, CCC-SLP
Dissertation: Families of Children with Developmental Language Disorder: Understanding and Empowering for Improved Practice
My dissertation is dedicated to my own family and to each family who graciously participated in our studies. My doctoral studies began at the height COVID-19 pandemic. While no one expected to learn research design, spelling, or how to reduce fractions at home, I am grateful to have learned alongside my own children. I am grateful for families’ willingness to participate in our studies despite challenging circumstances.
To Adlar, Mom, and Dad: Thank you for patiently caring for our kids while I did my best to maintain some semblance of coherence over these past four years. To Ethan and Aidan: You continually rise to the occasion when I need encouragement, your help around the house, or your patience waiting for dinner. I could not have accomplished this without you.
Research Mentor
Teresa Kimberley, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Dissertation: Investigating Upper Extremity Sensorimotor Impairment Post-Stroke
I would like to dedicate this dissertation to all of the patients I have had the privilege of working with over the course of my doctoral work. Thank you for your contribution to this research. Your willingness to participate to improve the health and wellness of others will forever inspire and motivate me.
I would not be where I am without the support of my wonderful research mentor, dissertation committee and all of my family, friends, and colleagues who have stood by my side throughout this journey. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
PROGRAM AWARDS
The Dr. David Krebs Doctoral Research Fund
The Dr. David Krebs Doctoral Research Fund was established by family and friends of Dr. Krebs to honor his passion for the rehabilitation sciences. He was first and foremost a physical therapist who was also a biomechanist and who loved to do anything with tools and engineering. In addition, Dr. Krebs was a prolific contributor to research literature with over 200 publications and the recipient of many awards for his important contributions to professional education and research.
During his time at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, Dr. Krebs was a staunch advocate for a PhD Program. The MGH Institute established a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences in 2012. The Dr. David Krebs Doctoral Research Fund provides an annual award to a PhD student to support their scholarly activities and dissemination of research in areas related to motor function.
The Gregory L. Lof Dissertation Support Fund
In his 20 years at the Institute, Dr. Lof has maintained an unwavering focus on the wellbeing of his students and has strived to ensure they have the resources required to be successful. He understands the importance of financial support as students work toward achieving their aspirations. It is with this devotion to student success that Dr. Lof helped to establish the Gregory L. Lof Dissertation Support Fund as his legacy at the Institute. The fund distributes one award per year to any PhD candidate to support their research dissertation expenses not covered by other sources of funding.