Shaping The Future Of Clinical Research
Strengthening Evidence-Based Healthcare Through The University of Jamestown’s Clinical Research Program
After more than a decade at the University of Jamestown, I am excited to begin a new chapter as Director of the Clinical Research PhD program. This role represents both a continuation of my commitment to UJ and an opportunity to help shape the future of healthcare through research.
In 2013, I began my academic journey at the University of Jamestown as an adjunct faculty member in what was then the new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. The following year, I transitioned to a core faculty role, where I served from 2014 to 2025. During that time, I had the privilege of contributing to program development, accreditation, curriculum design, and research! Through these experiences, I learned how to connect rigorous academic work and research with meaningful improvements in patient care and professional education. My work with the UJ DPT program fueled my passion for creating pathways where professionals can grow as leaders and scholars.
In the Clinical Research PhD program, we combine rigorous academic training with flexibility for working professionals to guide clinicians in transforming their expertise into research that improves patient care, informs policy, and advances evidence-based practice.
Clinical research is the foundation of evidence based healthcare. It is the process of studying health interventions, outcomes, and patient experiences to ensure treatments are safe, effective, and equitable. Our PhD students ask critical clinical questions and then learn how to design studies to find answers that inform health practice and policy. Students pursuing their PhD in Clinical Research gain advanced training in research design, biostatistics, ethics, and grant writing that has the potential to influence patient care, drive innovation, and contribute to the growing body of knowledge to improve health outcomes.
In addition to the core curriculum, students have the opportunity to pursue certifications in Leadership, Health Services Research, and Teaching & Learning to further expand their expertise and career options. Our graduates will be equipped to serve as faculty members in health professions graduate programs, lead clinical research teams investigating important health topics, or work within healthcare systems as part of inter-professional teams driving quality improvement and innovation.
As UJ continues to grow in graduate education, the Clinical Research PhD program represents an exciting step forward in shaping the future of healthcare. At the center of this growth are our students and faculty who bring passion and purpose to their work. This year, our program proudly participated in the University’s first annual Graduate Research Symposium in Phoenix, where PhD students presented their dissertation research to peers and faculty, a milestone that reflects the vibrant scholarly community we are building.
Even more exciting, UJ will celebrate its first-ever PhD graduates walking across the stage this May (2026). Several students have already successfully defended their dissertations, and we anticipate more to follow throughout the semester. I am honored to lead a program that advances research and creates meaningful opportunities for professionals to make a lasting impact on patient care and health policy. Together, we are building a community of scholars committed to innovation and collaboration.
