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 TTUHSC 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, TTUHSC
- 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’s 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® (ELAM)
- Research Interests: dietary supplement/phytochemicals and exercise in musculoskeletal
health and obesity related chronic diseases.
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, TTUHSC.
- Research Interests: structure/function of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors;
development of smoking cessation agents and for the treatment nervous system disorders.
Phone: (806) 319-1778
Betsy Jones, PhD.
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Positions/title: Medical Education/TTUHSC
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Research Interests: Medical education
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, TTUHSC
- 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.
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Positions/title: Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, SOM.
Founding Director, Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics (CTNT), TTUHSC.Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Garrison Institute on Aging (GIA), TTUHSC
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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
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
Kembra Albracht-Schulte, PhD.,
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Positions/title: Kinesiology & Sport Management/TTU
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Research Interests: Lifestyle medicine, including diet and exercise interventions, and role of the microbiome, obesity and related metabolic diseases
Phone: (806) 834-5786
Mohamad Al-Rahawan, M.D., M.P.H.
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Positions/title: Tenure Full Professor and Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, SOM.
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Research Interests: Pediatric Cancer treatment and prevention. Vitamin deficiency and supplementation in survivors of childhood cancer.
Phone: (806) 775-8600
Maggie Bennett-Brown, PhD.
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Positions/title: Communication Studies, College of Media & Communication
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Research Interests: Sexual health communication, patient-provider communication, sexual health behavior interventions, women’s healthcare
Martin Binks, PhD.
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Positions/title: Professor and Director of Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative (NMHI)
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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).
Phone: (806) 834-4434
Jean-Michel Brismée, 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.
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.
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Positions/title: Public Relations/College of Media and Communication
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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.
Phone: (806) 834-0936
Jeff Dennis, PhD.
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Positions/title: Public Health
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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
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.
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
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Positions/title: PhD, RDN, LD Nutrition/TTU
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Research Interests: Obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, vitamin & mineral supplement
Phone: (806) 834-2286
Christine Garner, PhD., RD
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Positions/title: PhD, RD/InfantRisk Center, Pediatrics/SOM TTUHSC Amarillo
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Research Interests: Maternal and child nutrition, Breastfeeding, Lactation, Obesity, Food insecurity, Maternal mental health, Mixed methods research, Clinical research
Phone: (806) 414-9587
Kulsawasd (Bo) Jitkajornwanich, PhD.
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Positions/title: PhD, Professional Communication/College of Media and Communication/ TTU
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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
Office: (806) 834-0023
Chanaka Kahathuduwa, MBBS, MPhil, PhD,
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Positions/title: MBBS, MPhil, PhD/Laboratory Sciences & Primary Care-SHP/Psychiatry-SOM-Lubbock, TTUHSC
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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.
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’s disease, epilepsy, autism
Phone: 806-743-3887
Jaehoon (Jason) Lee, PhD.
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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
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Research Interests: Study designs and advanced data analytics including multilevel modelling, latent variable modeling, Bayesian statistics, and propensity score analysis.
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
Danielle Levitt, PhD., CSCS*D PhD
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Positions/title: PhD, CSCS*D PhD/Kinesiology & Sport Management/TTU
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Research Interests: Substance misuse, glycemic control, skeletal muscle regeneration, bioenergetics, inter-organ crosstalk, exercise and nutraceutical interventions to improve musculoskeletal and metabolic health
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
Phone: (806) 834-688
Inola Mello, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
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Positions/title: Associate Professor, School of Nursing, TTUHSC
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Research Interests: Vitamin D, sexual health, sleep patterns and anxiety, recreation drug and alcohol use/misuse in college health
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
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.
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 – 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’s Distinguished Professor, Associate Vice President for Research Innovation, TTUHSC
- 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.
Office: 325-696-0473
Cell: 325-513-4943
Stephanie Stroever, PhD., MPH
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Positions/title: PhD, MPH Medical Education
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Research Interests: Medical education, medical trainee research, healthcare-associated infection prevention, healthcare epidemiology, public health
Phone: (806) 743-4424
Grace Sun, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
- Positions/title: Associate Professor, School of Nursing, TTUHSC
- Research Interests: Education in Integrative Healthcare, Whole Body Wellness
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.
Office: (806) 742-1400
Yujiao Zu, PhD.
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Positions/title: PhD/Nutritional Sciences/TTU
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Research Interests: Dietary components and obesity-associated metabolic disorders in cells and animals
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
Phone: (806) 743-2465