PT, PhD · Associate Professor
Division of Physical Therapy
"Understanding how musculoskeletal disorders shape human movement — from tendon collagen architecture to whole-body neuromechanics."
I am an Associate Professor in the Division of Physical Therapy at West Virginia University School of Medicine, where I have been on faculty since 2015. My research explores how localized musculoskeletal pathology — particularly tendon degeneration — cascades across multiple levels of the neuromechanical system: from tissue mechanics and collagen microarchitecture to muscle activation, central nervous system modulation, and whole-body movement dynamics.
A central focus of my work is non-invasive ultrasound-based quantification of tendon microstructure using Spatial Frequency Analysis (SFA), a method that estimates collagen bundle organization from standard B-mode sonograms. My research has established SFA-derived peak spatial frequency radius (PSFR) as a meaningful predictor of tendon mechanical properties in degenerated Achilles tendons, and I continue to extend this approach to the supraspinatus, patellar, and other clinically relevant tendons.
In addition to my research program, I am a member of the orthopedic physical therapy teaching team at WVU, where I teach in the musculoskeletal track, coordinate student research projects, and instruct in prosthetics and orthotics. I also serve the profession as a member of the Education Committee and Research Committee for the American Physical Therapy Association - West Virginia Chapter (APTA-WV).
My laboratory investigates multi-level consequences of tendon degeneration — from collagen microarchitecture quantified by ultrasound to altered neuromechanical control of movement. A unifying theme is developing non-invasive imaging biomarkers that guide clinical decision-making in orthopedic rehabilitation.
We use Spatial Frequency Analysis (SFA) of B-mode ultrasound images to quantify collagen bundle organization within tendons. Peak spatial frequency radius (PSFR) serves as a non-invasive index of tendon microstructural integrity, correlating with mechanical stiffness and elastic modulus in degenerated Achilles tendons.
Achilles tendinosis induces system-wide adaptations: increased electromechanical delay, altered pre-activation timing of triceps surae, and compensatory changes in hopping and gait mechanics. We study the reversibility of these multi-level adaptations through targeted rehabilitation protocols.
We examine patellar tendon morphology in volleyball athletes and trans-tibial amputees, Achilles tendon microstructure in runners and dancers, and supraspinatus tendon changes in manual wheelchair users — bridging imaging science with clinical orthopedic management across diverse populations.
Landing mechanics, cutting maneuvers, fatigue-induced changes in muscle activation and tibial acceleration — our biomechanical work informs injury risk assessment and rehabilitation design for both athletic and clinical populations, including dancers, volleyball athletes, and individuals with lower-limb pathology.
Peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. View full list on Google Scholar →
I am a member of the orthopedic physical therapy teaching team in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at WVU, committed to preparing clinician-scientists who integrate evidence with patient-centered care.
Lower extremity orthopedic examination and management, with emphasis on foot, ankle, and tendon pathology. Integrates current evidence with clinical reasoning frameworks.
Clinical management of patients requiring prosthetic and orthotic devices; lower and upper extremity device selection, fitting, and rehabilitation across the lifespan.
Research methodology, critical appraisal of the literature, and integration of scientific evidence into clinical decision-making in physical therapy practice.
Mentorship of DPT students on independent research projects and scholarly inquiry, fostering development of the next generation of physical therapist-researchers.
Leading Reserach and continuing education initiatives for physical therapy professionals across West Virginia. 2021 – Present
Providing scholarly peer review for leading physical therapy and biomechanics journals.
Guiding students through the research process from question development to dissemination.
Interactive tools and educational apps built at the intersection of physical therapy, AI, and web technology — designed to support students, clinicians, and researchers.
An interactive dissection guide and anatomy learning companion for DPT students, featuring region-by-region clinical anatomy content.
A professional physical therapy analysis suite with a digital goniometer for joint angle measurement and AI-powered range-of-motion analysis via camera.
The official web portal for the 2026 WVU Doctor of Physical Therapy Research Day — abstract submission, program schedule, and event information.
A virtual clinic application for foot and ankle physical therapy — delivering interactive patient scenarios and clinical reasoning practice for DPT students.
A webcam-based augmented reality exercise game for home physical therapy. Uses pose detection to guide upper and lower body rehabilitation exercises in real time.
An AI-powered tool that generates structured notes and summaries for papers in your Zotero reference library — streamlining literature review workflows.