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Trainees
Cohort II Class of 2026
Faculty Trainees
Stephanie Di Stasi MSPT, PhD
she/her
Physical Therapy
Stephanie Di Stasi, PT, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Division of Physical Therapy at The Ohio State University and principal investigator in the Sports Medicine Research Institute within OSU Wexner Medical Center. Dr. Di Stasi's research uses a combination of movement analysis techniques and functional performance testing for the mechanistic study of disability and joint/tissue degeneration associated with musculoskeletal conditions. The overall goal of this work is to develop pragmatic intervention strategies with the highest therapeutic potential.
Sangeetha Madhavan PT, PT, PhD
she/her
Physical Therapy
Dr. Madhavan is a tenured Professor and Assistant Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Department of Physical Therapy at UIC. She directs the Brain Plasticity Laboratory and has mentored a diverse cohort of junior researchers. With over 75 publications, she is an expert in neurophysiology and neurorehabilitation, with continuous funding from national agencies. Dr. Madhavan founded and chairs the SIG for Women in Neurorehabilitation in the World Federation of Neurorehabilitation.
Beth Pfeiffer PhD, OTR/L
she/her
Occupational Therapy
Dr. Pfeiffer is a Professor in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Temple University. She is the Director of the REACH Lab and the primary investigator on grants from NICHD, PCORI, NIDILRR, and foundations to support the development of interventions and outcome measures for transitional age youth and young adults with ASD and/or IDD. In all aspects of her work, she is committed to the engagement of community partners and people with lived experience in research.
Emily S. Grattan PhD, OTR/L
she/her
Occupational Therapy
Emily Grattan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh. She is an occupational therapist with expertise in neurological rehabilitation. She completed her PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh and completed Postdoctoral Training at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Grattan's research interests focus on reducing disability for individuals with visual and perceptual impairments.
Susanne M Morton PT, PhD
she/her
Physical Therapy
Dr. Morton is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware. Her research background is in motor systems neuroscience and neurorehabilitation. Her research spans three broad areas: mechanisms of motor learning; recovery of walking function post-stroke; and mechanisms of and interventions for cerebellar ataxia. Her laboratory features a motion capture system, force plates, a split-belt treadmill, surface electromyography (EMG), non-invasive brain stimulation devices, and space for clinical performance testing. Combining clinical, biomechanical, and neurophysiological measures allows her group to answer clinically meaningful questions and to link findings to specific brain mechanisms. The ultimate goal of her research is to better understand and exploit the brain’s plasticity to improve rehabilitation outcomes for people with neurologic conditions. Dr. Morton’s research is funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Student Trainees
Liam J. Festa B.Sc.
he/him
Physical Therapy
Liam Festa graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in December, 2021. After that, he became a research assistant for the Neuromotor Behavior Lab in the University's physical therapy department. Projects contributed to included motor learning characteristics of gait in people with Parkinson's Disease or post-stroke complications. Currently, Liam is enrolled at the University of Delaware's physical therapy program as a part of the class of 2025.
Lisbeth Gomez B.S.
she/her
Occupational Therapy
Lisbeth is a first-generation Latina student, currently in Dallas, Texas working on her Occupational Therapy Doctoral degree at Texas Woman's University. Both of her parents are from Nochistlán Zacatecas Mexico and she spent most of her childhood in Mexico. Lisbeth loves her culture and it is something that guides her life both personally and professionally. Mexico is full of color, hope, happiness, and diversity and it is something important to her. Lisbeth's goal is to break the stigma, open doors for underrepresented people as well as serve as a positive representation of Mexico.
Marcos Gomez-Corona B.S.
he/him
Physical Therapy
Marcos Gomez-Corona graduated in 2022 from MSU Denver with a B.S. in Exercise Science. During his time in the program, he performed research on the shortage of physical activity resources for the Hispanic community and presented at the 2021 Undergraduate Research Conference. Marcos immigrated from Mexico to Colorado at the age of 3 and grew up in the Aurora area. Marcos is currently a 1st year student in the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He is the PT Moves Me Ambassador and works on doing community outreach to underserved schools.
Sarah Jean Schwegel B.A., MPA
she/her
Occupational Therapy
Sarah is a student at Washington University School of Medicine Program in Occupational Therapy. She holds a Bachelor's in Rehabilitation Services and a Master's in Public Administration. Her past professional experience includes corporate JEDI, and public sector program development, & community organizing. In her free time, Sarah enjoys creating, playing power wheelchair soccer, and reading.
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