Center of Excellence for Integrative Health

OUR MISSION

Consisting of academic scholars committed to integrative health research, the Center of Excellence for Integrative Health seeks to support the strategic objectives and academic mission of School of Medicine and 甜瓜视频 in enhancing research and research-related education.

OUR VISION

As a center, we strive to improve the health of individuals through integrative health research discoveries and high-quality education.

WHAT WE DO

Our focus includes:

Fostering and facilitating synergistic, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and interprofessional collaboration
Assisting the professional development of new researchers
Promoting thoughtful and compassionate healthcare at all levels by assisting supporters in conducting innovative research
Promoting research-associated educational opportunities for medical students.

Chwan-Li (Leslie) Shen, PhD, Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP)

Associate Dean for Research, School of Medicine, 甜瓜视频
Founding director, Center of Excellence for Integrative Health
Professor, pathology with joint appointment at Dept. of Laboratory Science and Primary Care & an adjunct appointment at Dept. of Nutritional Sciences
Chancellor鈥檚 Council Distinguished Research Award 2011
Published 100+ peer-reviewed journals and 6 book chapters
Made 120+ national and international conference/invited talks.
Served on editorial board for 13 journals
Served on grant reviewer for NIH (NCCIH, NIDDK), USDA, national, private, and foreign funding agencies.
Fellow, United State Bone and Joint Initiative
Fellow, NIH Clinical Research Management
Fellow, Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine庐 (ELAM)
Research Interests: dietary supplement/phytochemicals and exercise in musculoskeletal health and obesity related chronic diseases.

leslie.shen@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 743-2815

Michael Blanton, PhD.

Professor and Vice Chair of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, SOM
Senior Associate Dean and MD/PhD Program Director.
Co-Director of Center for Membrane Protein Research, 甜瓜视频.
Research Interests: structure/function of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; development of smoking cessation agents and for the treatment nervous system disorders.

michael.blanton@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 319-1778

Betsy Jones, PhD.

Positions/title: Medical Education/甜瓜视频
Research Interests: Medical education

betsy.jones@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 743-6128

Naima Moustaid-Moussa, PhD. FTOS, FAHA

Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Associate Professor and the Founding Director of Division of Integrative Medicine in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, SOM, 甜瓜视频
Research Interests: Basic and integrated nutrition and obesity research, endocrine function of adipose tissue and nutrient-gene interactions in metabolic diseases, mechanisms of anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds in metabolic and aging-related diseases; beta cell function in diabetes; and childhood obesity prevention.

naima.moustaid-moussa@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-7946

Volker Neugebauer, MD, PhD.

Positions/title: Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, SOM.
Founding Director, Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics (CTNT), 甜瓜视频.

Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Garrison Institute on Aging (GIA), 甜瓜视频
Research Interests: Translational neurobiology and neuropharmacology of brain dysfunctions related to clinically relevant disorders such as chronic pain, comorbid conditions of anxiety and depression, and neurodegenerative disorders

volker.neugebauer@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 743-3880

Yan Zhang, PhD., L.Ac.

Professor of Professional Practice, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX.
Research Interests: Clinical trials-acupuncture and mind-body intervention, health services research-secondary data analysis on CAM related topics, complementary and integrative health education

Yan.zhang@tcu.edu

Kembra Albracht-Schulte, PhD.,

Positions/title: Kinesiology & Sport Management/TTU
Research Interests: Lifestyle medicine, including diet and exercise interventions, and role of the microbiome, obesity and related metabolic diseases

kembra.albracht@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-5786

Mohamad Al-Rahawan, M.D., M.P.H.

Positions/title: Tenure Full Professor and Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, SOM.
Research Interests: Pediatric Cancer treatment and prevention. Vitamin deficiency and supplementation in survivors of childhood cancer.

m.al@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 775-8600

Maggie Bennett-Brown, PhD.

Positions/title: Communication Studies, College of Media & Communication
Research Interests: Sexual health communication, patient-provider communication, sexual health behavior interventions, women鈥檚 healthcare

margaret.bennett@ttu.edu

Martin Binks, PhD.

Positions/title: Professor and Director of Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative (NMHI)
Research Interests: Behavioral pharmacologic and surgical treatment for obesity and metabolic disease, neurophysiology of obesity and ingestive behavior (e.g. fMRI), physiological and behavioral correlates of physical activity (including the influences of pain and sleep).

m.binks@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-4434

Jean-Michel Brism茅e, PT, ScD.

Positions/title: Distinguished Professor in the Doctor of Science Program in Physical Therapy, School of Health Professionals.
Research Interests: Intervertebral disc hydration/height, musculoskeletal health manipulative therapy, mind-body therapies including yoga, meditation, Tai Chi.

Jm.brismee@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806)743-3243

Ming-Chien Chyu, PhD.

Positions/title: Professor of Healthcare Engineering
Research Interests: Non-pharmacological approaches in musculoskeletal issues-healthcare engineering approach- biomechanics.

m.chyu@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-8982

Ioana A. Coman, PhD.

Positions/title: Public Relations/College of Media and Communication
Research Interests: Health communication & promotion (vaccines, outbreaks/pandemics, health issues) in risk and crisis contexts, different levels (local, national, international) and different platforms (media, social media, visuals, etc). Stigma, advocacy and health communication/promotion.

ioana.coman@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-0936

Jeff Dennis, PhD.

Positions/title: Public Health
Research Interests: Social epidemiology, including racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes, immigrant health, and disparities in birth outcomes. Complementary and alternative medicine, mental health diversion in correctional facilities, sleep disturbance, and life satisfaction among medical students

jeff.dennis@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 743-6812

Jannette M. Dufour, PhD.

Positions/title: Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, SOM.
Research Interests: Mechanisms of Sertoli cell immune privilege, transplantation of genetically modified Sertoli cells and co-transplantation of Sertoli cells and pancreatic islets.

jannette.dufour@ttuhsc.edu

Christopher A. Enakpene, MD.

Positions/title: Associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Permian Basin.
Research Interests: Diabetes in pregnancy and obesity, REDSOAP Study, ARABIN Study.

christopher.a.enakpene@ttuhsc.edu

Arturo Figueroa, PhD.

Positions/title: Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, TTU
Research Interests: Arterial stiffness, aortic hemodynamics, wave reflection, blood flow, endothelial function, L-citrulline supplementation, resistance exercise, muscle metaboreflex

arturo.figueroa@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-5587

Shannon Galyean, PhD., RDN, LD

Positions/title: PhD, RDN, LD Nutrition/TTU
Research Interests: Obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, vitamin & mineral supplement

shannon.galyean@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-2286

Christine Garner, PhD., RD

Positions/title: PhD, RD/InfantRisk Center, Pediatrics/SOM 甜瓜视频 Amarillo
Research Interests: Maternal and child nutrition, Breastfeeding, Lactation, Obesity, Food insecurity, Maternal mental health, Mixed methods research, Clinical research

christine.garner@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 414-9587

Kulsawasd (Bo) Jitkajornwanich, PhD.

Positions/title: PhD, Professional Communication/College of Media and Communication/ TTU
Research Interests: Health informatics, Natural Language Processing (NLP), health communication, Big Data Analytics, early detection and diagnosis through data-driven approaches, Medical AI, GIS

kulsawasd.jitkajornwanich@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-2010

Kwanghee Jung , PhD.

Positions/title: Educational Psychology/TTU
Research Interests: Multivariate Statistics and Functional Data Analysis, Psychological Measurement and Testing Theory, Data Analytics and Big Data Analytics. Bio-medical Data and Patient-Reported Outcomes Research. Human Brain and Mental Health Research, Statistical Software Development, Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Development

kwanghee.jung@ttu.edu

Office: (806) 834-0023

Chanaka Kahathuduwa, MBBS, MPhil, PhD,

Positions/title: MBBS, MPhil, PhD/Laboratory Sciences & Primary Care-SHP/Psychiatry-SOM-Lubbock, 甜瓜视频
Research Interests: Neurophysiological mechanisms underlying human cognitive and neurophysiological mechanisms. Obesity and metabolic derangements-related human ingestive behavior. Developmental disorders such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorders.

chanaka.kahathuduwa@ttuhsc.edu

Gurvinder Kaur, PhD.

Positions/title: Associate Professor, Department of Medical Education, SOM
Research Interests: immune privileged properties of Sertoli cells & how to improve islet cell survival after transplantation.

gurvinder.kaur@ttuhsc.edu

J. Josh Lawrence, PhD.

Positions/title: Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Research Collaborator, Garrison Institute on Aging
Research interests: Nutritional deficiencies, excitation/inhibition balance in disease states, hippocampal neuromodulation, aging, Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, epilepsy, autism

john.lawrence@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: 806-743-3887

Jaehoon (Jason) Lee, PhD.

Positions/title: Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, TTU, Adjunct Associate Professor, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Baylor College of Medicine
Research Interests: Study designs and advanced data analytics including multilevel modelling, latent variable modeling, Bayesian statistics, and propensity score analysis.

Jaehoon.lee@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-5907

Sue Ann Lee, PhD.

Positions/title: Professor, Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, School of Health Professionals.
Research Interests: Speech-language impairment, bilingualism, speech-language intervention, speech-language instrumentation, ultrasound, telepractice

sueann.lee@ttuhsc.edu

Danielle Levitt, PhD., CSCS*D PhD

Positions/title: PhD, CSCS*D PhD/Kinesiology & Sport Management/TTU
Research Interests: Substance misuse, glycemic control, skeletal muscle regeneration, bioenergetics, inter-organ crosstalk, exercise and nutraceutical interventions to improve musculoskeletal and metabolic health

danielle.levitt@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-1830

Hui Ying Luk, PhD.

Positions/title: Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, TTU
Research Interests: Immunoendocrine response on skeletal muscle regeneration and hypertrophy

Huiying.luk@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-0827

Conrad Lyford, PhD.

Positions/title: Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics, TTU
Research Interests: Behavioral change towards healthy behavior and disease prevention. Community/school interventions for obesity prevention. Cost-benefit analysis. Developing country food security and health system

Conrad.Lyford@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-688

Inola Mello, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Positions/title: Associate Professor, School of Nursing, 甜瓜视频
Research Interests: Vitamin D, sexual health, sleep patterns and anxiety, recreation drug and alcohol use/misuse in college health

inola.mello@ttuhsc.edu

Office: (806) 743-7282

Mary Murimi, PhD.

Positions/title: Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences
Research Interests: Food security, maternal and child nutrition, nutrition education

Mary.murimi@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-1812

Wilna Oldewage-Theron, PhD., RD (SA)

Positions/title: Professor of Nutritional Sciences
Research Interests: Investigating the impact of community nutrition programs (food fortification, supplementation, nutrition education, food product development and implementation, school nutrition, vegetable and soy gardening) on food insecurity and the double burden of disease of women, children and the elderly.

gwilna.oldewage@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-0567

Ty Palmer, PhD.

Positions/title: Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management.
Research Interests: Impact of age-related disparities on muscular function, interventional strategies to improve functional performance in older adults

Ty.palmer@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-7884

Oak-Hee Park, PhD.

Positions/title: Research Assistant Professor at Research Office, College of Human Science
Research Interests: Community nutrition, food environment

Oak-hee.park@ttu.edu

Narissra M. Punyanunt-Carter, PhD.

Positions/title: Professor & Assistant Dean of International Affairs, Department of Communication, College of Media & Communication TTU
Research Interests: Health communication; health advocacy, the crafting of messages about health, and strategies for the promotion of health-care services.

N.Punyanunt@ttu.edu

Office: (806) 834-3273

Andrew C Shin, PhD.

Positions/title: Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, TTU
Research Interests: Neurobiology of appetite control, body weight regulation, and nutrient metabolism

Andrew.Shin@ttu.edu

Office: (806) 834-1713

Sharda P. Singh, PhD.

Positions/title: Associate professor, Department of Internal Medicine, SOM
Research Interests: Clinical trials and animal studies 鈥� dietary supplement/phytochemicals in prevention of doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity.

sharda.singh@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 743-1504

Phillip S. Sizer Jr., PT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT

Positions/title: President鈥檚 Distinguished Professor, Associate Vice President for Research Innovation, 甜瓜视频
Research Interests: Clinical pathoanatomy, sensorimotor control and functional biomechanics of the spine and extremities, tissue and movement screening

Phil.sizer@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 743-3902

Julie St. John, DrPH, MPH, MA, CHWI

Positions/title: Associate Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Associate Professor, Julia Jones Matthews Department of Public Health
Research interests: Health status and quality of life improvement among diverse and rural populations through community health development and partnership approaches; scope of practice and training of Community Health Workers; addressing human trafficking through community capacity building; health disparities; community health status assessments; program evaluation; intervention development.

julie.st-john@ttuhsc.edu

Office: 325-696-0473
Cell: 325-513-4943

Stephanie Stroever, PhD., MPH

Positions/title: PhD, MPH Medical Education
Research Interests: Medical education, medical trainee research, healthcare-associated infection prevention, healthcare epidemiology, public health

stephanie.stroever@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 743-4424

Grace Sun, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Positions/title: Associate Professor, School of Nursing, 甜瓜视频
Research Interests: Education in Integrative Healthcare, Whole Body Wellness

Grace.Sun@ttuhsc.edu

Office: (806) 743-9246

Grant Tinsley, PhD.

Positions/title: Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, TTU
Research Interests: Body composition assessment methodology, lifestyle interventions to improve body composition, intermittent fasting, dietary supplementation, resistance training

grant.tinsley@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-5895

Heather Vellers, PhD.

Positions/title: Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, TTU
Research Interests: Mitochondrial biology and genetics-role in exercise training response and pathological etiologies

heather.vellers@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-8890

Fangyuan Zhang, PhD.

Positions/title: Associate Professor of Statistics of Department of Mathematics and Statistics, TTU.
Research Interests: Developing statistical methods to detect genetic effects, epigenetic effects, and interaction effects between genes and environment associated with human complex diseases. Application of bio-statistical methods to real data analysis.

Fangyuan.Zhang@ttu.edu

Office: (806) 834-2587

Julie Zook, Ph.D.

Positions/title: Associate Professor, College of Architecture
Research Interests: Environmental determinants of health related to architectural and urban/community design; use of EHR data to better understand functioning of healthcare architecture.

Julie.Zook@ttu.edu

Office: (806) 742-1400

Yujiao Zu, PhD.

Positions/title: PhD/Nutritional Sciences/TTU
Research Interests: Dietary components and obesity-associated metabolic disorders in cells and animals

yujiao.zu@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-0392

Mimi Zumwalt, MD.

Positions/title: Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, SOM
Research Interests: Female athletes/Injury prevention, exercise techniques/training Rx Natural/alternative nutrition, sex/gender differences

mimi.zumwalt@ttuhsc.edu

Phone: (806) 743-2465

甜瓜视频