Current PhD Students
Our current students bring a variety of experiences and backgrounds to the Movement Science Program.
Adam Bittel, PT, DPT attended Utica College where he completed a BS in health studies and a doctorate in physical therapy. Adam is mentored by Dr. Todd Cade, and his research focuses on lifestyle and exercise interventions for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as well as the effect of intermuscular adipose tissue on skeletal muscle health. In his spare time, Adam enjoys reading, watching local sports, and cooking.
Dan Bittel, PT, DPT is a doctoral candidate in the Movement Science Program under the guidance of Dr. David Sinacore. A Connecticut native, Dan earned his undergraduate degree in health studies and doctorate in physical therapy at Utica College. Dan’s current research focuses on the metabolic and functional effects of chronic disease on skeletal muscle and how alternative forms of resistance training may remedy such effects. Outside the lab, Dan enjoys playing baseball, exercising, and cooking.
Stefanie Foster, PT, FAAOMPT, received her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Austin and MSPT from Texas State University., and worked eight years in a variety of outpatient PT clinics. During that time, she completed a clinical Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical. This clinical specialization led her to a deep curiosity in the relationship between hip dysplasia and hypermobility and pelvic floor disorders. Her current research, mentored by Dr. Michael Mueller and Dr. Marcie Harris-Hayes, focuses on hip dysplasia biomechanics and hip pain rehabilitation. Outside the lab, Stefanie enjoys yoga, cycling, art, and West Coast Swing dancing.
Elinor Harrison, BA recently left a dance career in New York to pursue a PhD in Movement Science, where she hopes to take her love of movement out of the studio and into the lab to better the lives of people with neurological disorders. Her current research, mentored by Dr. Gammon Earhart, focuses on using music and dance to improve gait in people with Parkinson Disease. While in New York, Elinor worked in the Motor Performance Laboratory at Columbia University. As a dancer, she was a member of Jane Comfort and Company and Thomas/Ortiz Dance, among others, and she toured internationally with “A Chorus Line.” She has taught ballet and yoga for several years, and her own choreography has been performed in several venues throughout the U.S. Elinor holds a BA in French Literature and Dance from Washington University.
Quenten Hooker, MS grew up in Springfield, IL and graduated from Quincy University (Quincy, IL) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. He then furthered his education and completed a Master’s Degree in Biomechanics from the University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY). Throughout his collegiate career, Quenten competed in amateur golf tournaments across the Midwest and coached junior golfers. Through competing and coaching, he became interested in human movement, specifically the impact mechanics have on musculoskeletal pain. His current research, mentored by Dr. Linda Van Dillen, aims to understand the relationship between hip function, altered spine mechanics, and low back pain. In his spare time, Quenten enjoys playing or watching sports, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Adam Horin, MA received his BS in Neurobiology & Physiology from Purdue University and his MA in Audio Technology from American University in Washington, DC. As an undergraduate, Adam conducted research on neurotoxins in rodent models of Parkinson disease. In graduate school, he wanted to blend his interests in music and biomedical research. His Master’s capstone project investigated the effects of melody on rhythm discrimination tasks in healthy adults. He joined the Movement Science Program to continue researching rhythm processing in a biomedical research setting. His current work, mentored by Dr. Gammon Earhart, investigates the effects of music on gait in Parkinson disease. Outside of the lab, Adam enjoys writing and producing his own music, playing with his beagle lab, and exploring St. Louis.
Hyo-Jung Jeong, PT, MS, received her bachelor’s and MSPT from Yonsei University in Korea. While working as a physical therapist, she became interested in understanding the movement of people with musculoskeletal disorders and patients with chronic diseases. She is mentored by Dr. Mary Hastings and Dr. Michael Mueller, and her research focuses on musculoskeletal problems in people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. Hyo enjoys watching Korean baseball games and is an enthusiastic fan of the Busan Giants. She also likes traveling and playing guitar during her free time.
Peter Myers, BA grew up in Central New York where the cows outnumber the people. He received his BA in Physics and Studio Art from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. During the summer of 2008, he moved to New York City and worked as a personal trainer and massage therapist while attending Columbia University. At Columbia, he studied neuropsychology and worked in a lab that studies learning in the brain. Peter was accepted into the Movement Science Program in 2014, and is mentored by Dr. Gammon Earhart. His current research investigates functional changes in the brains of people with Parkinson disease and the effects of yoga on their balance and gait. If you cannot find Peter at the lab, check the local yoga studio or the closest place one can get a large plate of nachos or cheese fries.
Kim Waddell, MS, OTR/L received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Truman State University and her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Prior to starting the Movement Science Program, she worked at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the Neurorehabilitation Research Laboratory at Washington University. Kim is mentored by Dr. Catherine Lang. Her research focuses on improving upper extremity performance for individuals post-stroke and measuring upper extremity performance using innovative and unbiased techniques. She is passionate about improving stroke rehabilitation, which both informs her research and inspires her to continue practicing as an occupational therapist at a local rehabilitation hospital. When she’s not in the lab, Kim stays busy with running and biking, traveling, and cooking. She also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters and enjoys exploring the sites and sounds of St. Louis with her “little sister.”