Our Students

A Graduate School of Education, Health & Psychology

Meet Our Doctoral Students


Bayan Aldhahwani

Bayan Aldhahwani (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Kinesiology

Bayan is a doctoral student in the Kinesiology program at Columbia University, Teachers College. Bayan's research interests lie at the intersection of motor control and movement analysis. Bayan worked as a full-time faculty member specializing in neurological rehabilitation in the department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences at Umm Al-Qura University. Also, she worked part-time as a Physical Therapist working with individuals with neurological disorders. During her master's studies, Bayan volunteered as a research assistant in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh. She assisted in various projects including investigating the use of natural language processing (NLP) to develop precise rehabilitation treatment for individuals with stroke, as well as leading a project on disparities in functional outcomes post-arthroplasty.
Biobehavioral Sciences
Jehan Alomar

Jehan Alomar

Ph.D. Student, Kinesiology

A PhD candidate and the Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Labs Manager at Teachers College, Columbia University. Jehan specializes in movement sciences, focusing on using motion capture technologies and inertial measurement units to study complex movements. Her research aims to explore complex mobility in individuals with movement disorders. She is a trained physical therapist with experience investigating the feasibility and validity of assessments and technological solutions in physical activity and exercise science. Jehan is a Saudi youth delegate at the United Nations Future Summit 2024.
Biobehavioral Sciences
Andrew Buser

Andrew Buser

Ed.D. Student, Motor Learning

An EdD student in the Motor Learning and Control program and Neurorehabilitation Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University. Andrew specializes in postural control and movement sciences, focusing on corrective exercise therapy for pain management and performance enhancement. His studies and research aims include exploring the relationships between postural equilibrium, structural integrity, and functional movement patterns with the pathophysiology of orthopedic conditions and neurodegenerative disorders. Andrew is a licensed Chiropractor and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with corrective exercise therapy clinical experience with civilian populations of all ages and military special operations communities.
Biobehavioral Sciences Veteran
Kellie Hoehing

Kellie Hoehing (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Kinesiology

Kellie is a second year PhD student studying the effects of physical activity and exercise on individuals with heart failure. She is interested in assessing the clinical utilization of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in various populations. She is currently working under Dr. Carol Gaber within the ExerT Clinic and completing research work under Dr. Rochelle Goldsmith at the Columbia University Medical Center - Center for Advanced Heart Failure.
Biobehavioral Sciences
Cara Kanner

Cara Kanner

Ed.D. Student, Movement Sciences (Physical Therapy)

Cara Kanner is a candidate for the Doctor of Education degree in Movement Sciences. She works as an associate faculty and research physical therapist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She is a board-certified pediatric physical therapist. She is part of the Montes Lab with research focused on individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and neurodevelopmental disorders. Her primary research focus is on bone health in SMA.
Biobehavioral Sciences Student-Parent
Adrianna Keener-Denoia

Adrianna Keener-Denoia (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Kinesiology

Doctoral student researcher contributing to an NIH-funded R01 clinical trial and an intervention pilot study evaluating the feasibility, implementation potential, and effectiveness of digital health–enabled behavioral interventions for cardiac patients. I also support a quality improvement initiative within the NYP Department of Rehabilitation Medicine that applies implementation science and digital health strategies to reimagine the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation.
Biobehavioral Sciences
Byul Kim

Byul Kim

Ed.D. Student, Applied Physiology

Dissertation Advisor: Carol Ewing Garber

I am a doctoral candidate in Applied Physiology at Columbia University, researching the psychological and physiological mechanisms underlying physical activity and sedentary behavior. My dissertation examines how momentary motivation states and psychological stress influence real-time physical activity. I led the translation and validation of the Korean CRAVE scale to assess motivation for movement and rest in cross-cultural contexts. My work bridges exercise psychology, public health, and behavioral science, contributing to real-time health monitoring and adaptive interventions. I bring a strong global perspective, having represented Korea at the UN General Assembly and supported public health efforts during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. I also served as President of the Columbia Korean Graduate Student Association, leading academic and cultural programs. My goal is to develop culturally sensitive, evidence-based strategies for active lifestyles and psychological well-being.
Biobehavioral Sciences First-Generation College Student
Sirui Liu

Sirui Liu (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Kinesiology

A junior mechanical engineer, a junior bioengineer, a junior neuro-rehabilitation physician...
But a professional badminton player, crocheter, and baker :-)
Biobehavioral Sciences First-Generation College Student
Nicole Metelski

Nicole Metelski

Ph.D. Student, Kinesiology

Nicole is a Ph.D. student in the Center for Cerebral Palsy Research, working under the advisement of Dr. Andrew Gordon. Her research focuses on novel rehabilitation interventions for children with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Her dissertation work examines the impact of non-invasive brain stimulation plus intensive bimanual upper extremity training on motor learning in children with cerebral palsy. She also examines neurophysiological responses to treatment. Nicole presented at the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine in 2023 as well as to various labs in the United States. She is an occupational therapist by training, and worked at New York-Presbyterian Hospital as an acute care occupational therapist for 6 years. Her specialty areas included neurology, neurosurgery, organ transplant, and facial nerve rehabilitation. Nicole also work as a Course Assistant at TC, aiding with the Brain & Behavior and Research Design classes.
Biobehavioral Sciences
Brendon Richbourgh

Brendon Richbourgh

Ed.D. Student, Applied Physiology

My current research is a continuation of my time as a fellow in Dr. Chuan-Ju Liu’s Translational Orthopedic lab. Under his guidance and mentorship, I received NIH Postdoctoral funding in 2012. In that learning environment, my studies involved working with two key catabolic inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, and their role in arthritis. People who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) have reduced levels of exercise. Exercise offers a multitude of health benefits, including increased muscle strength, enhanced bone mineral density, increased stroke volume, and reduced joint pain. RA is more prevalent in older, female, and non-Hispanic Black individuals. Black women are a marginalized demographic with the worst health outcomes and have been disproportionately underrepresented in medical research. Under the direction of Dr. Felicia Mensah, I am studying the impact of exercise on the lived experiences of marginalized communities with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Biobehavioral Sciences
Lilliana Romero

Lilliana Romero (She/Her/Hers)

Ed.D. Student, Motor Learning

Dissertation Advisor: Lori Quinn

Lilliana Romero-Maysonet, is a doctoral student in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University, specializing in Motor Learning and Control. Her research focuses on the influence of trunk range of motion and trunk mobility on functional tasks in individuals with Parkinson' s Disease. Lilliana is a member of the Neurorehabiliation Research Lab and served as editor for Parkinson Positivos. She also translated key educational content into Spanish for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, helping expand access to reliable information for Spanish-speaking communities.
Biobehavioral Sciences
Jordana Ulloa-Marquez

Jordana Ulloa-Marquez

Ed.D. Student, Motor Learning

I am a doctoral student in the Biobehavioral Sciences program at Teachers College, Columbia University. My research focuses on how motor learning-based interventions, such as HABIT-ILE, influence trunk control and its relationship to upper limb function in children with bilateral cerebral palsy (BCP). I am affiliated with the Center for Cerebral Palsy Research under the advisement of Dr. Andrew Gordon. My work integrates principles of motor learning, postural stability, and biomechanics to improve functional outcomes in pediatric neurorehabilitation. Grounded in the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework, my research uses kinematic analysis and clinical insights to assess movement quality and coordination. In addition to my research, I have served as a teaching assistant and guest lecturer, presenting on topics related to motor control and my published work.
Biobehavioral Sciences First-Generation College Student
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