Take Your First Step Towards Your Next Step At NYC Clinical Trials For SCI

Dr. Knikou is inviting individuals with spinal cord injuries for non-invasive clinical trials.

Neurophysiologist and researcher Dr. Maria Knikou invites people with spinal cord injuries to apply for non-invasive clinical trials to assess, rehabilitate, and improve motor function and control, while reducing spacsticity. Early trials are promising, many returning for Robotic Gait Training. Stipends and travel reimbursements available.

When we think about spinal cord injuries, thoughts generally turn toward Christopher Reeve who was thrown from his horse during trial events for an equestrian competition in 1995, and Steven McDonald, who was shot three times in 1986 after serving two years as an officer with the New York Police Department. Reeve’s and McDonald’s heroic and visible survival stories brought the severity of spinal cord injuries into the international dialogue.

Today at the College of Staten Island (CSI), Maria Knikou, PhD, is holding clinical trials of her breakthrough research designed to develop effective rehabilitation strategies to improve the walking ability of persons with spinal cord injuries that have affected the function of the central nervous system.

During her ongoing trials, she has recently worked with eight people with spinal cord injuries, including a 20-year-old who fell out of a golf cart and broke his neck nine months ago, and a Midwestern woman who broke her neck. These people, who have been diagnosed with tetraplegia (a spinal cord injury above the first thoracic vertebra or within cervical sections Cervical 1-8) and severe paralysis of the legs, came to CSI to participate in the research trials. After completing four to six weeks of therapy with Dr. Knikou, the patients saw motor function improve, with increased control and reduced spasticity.

According to spinalcord.com, “The spinal cord carries nerve fibers traveling both from the brain to the rest of the body and from the body back to the brain. Those coming from the brain are responsible for voluntary control of muscles. Those traveling toward the brain carry sensation.”

Dr. Knikou working in her lab.

Dr. Knikou’s non-invasive therapy focuses on assessing the signal transfer from the brain to the legs in order to strengthen and enhance that pathway and provide gains in motor function. Patients who undergo the phase one therapy may be eligible for the phase two Robotic Gait Training, designed to further stimulate brain, spinal, and muscular health on a pathway for improved mobility. People who participate in the trials are provided a stipend, and certain expenses may be covered.

Persons who are interested in learning if they are eligible candidates for this unique therapeutic approach should contact Dr. Knikou, Professor of Human Neurophysiology in the Physical Therapy Department of the School of Health Sciences at 718.982.3316 or maria.knikou@csi.cuny.edu. All trials are conducted on the Willowbrook campus of the College of Staten Island in New York City.

“Dr Knikou’s forward-thinking and expertise in human neurophysiology have enabled her to be extremely successful, with ongoing grant support from New York State and other private foundations,” commented Dean Maureen Becker, PhD. “She is one of the leading researchers in the School of Health Sciences at the College of Staten Island and her work, one day, will impact the lives of millions of individuals with spinal cord injury.”

Dr. Knikou’s research project is funded by the New York State Department of Health, Spinal Cord Injury Research Board, under the Project to Accelerate Research Translation (PART) award. She mentors high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral research fellows and junior faculty. Dr. Knikou serves on several editorial boards and has published her research work in high-ranking, peer-reviewed scientific journals.

For details regarding Dr. Knikou’s research visit www.researchgate.net/profile/Maria_Knikou

For more information about the College of Staten Island School of Health Sciences visit www.csi.cuny.edu/schoolofhealthsciences

Learn about Tai Chi

Tai chi is a traditional Chinese art for physical and mental health that draws on principles of Chinese philosophy and Daoism. It is a great way to keep fit and relieve stress, and is a “soft” introduction to the martial arts. There will be a short talk by Qun Cheng on the history and principles of tai chi, follow by a demonstration and guided instruction.

This CC and PG CLUE event is sponsored by the East Asian Studies Program.

Exploring the Health Care Professional’s Role as an Interdisciplinary Team Member

November 20, 2017

Dean of the School of Health Sciences Dr. Marcus Tye addresses the audience.

A total of 158 students and faculty attended “Exploring the Health Care Professional’s Role as an Interdisciplinary Team Member” event, which took place on November 14 in the Center for the Arts Williamson Theatre at the College of Staten Island (CSI). This was a success coaching and nursing student event in collaboration with the Physical Therapy and Social Work departments.

Dr. Marcus Tye, Dean of the School of Health Sciences, welcomed participants and emphasized the strong need for interprofessional collaboration. The featured speakers included:

-Dr. Karen Arca-Contreras, the Success Coaching and Nursing Student Retention Program Coordinator and Lecturer in the Nursing Department. She has held various leadership positions in nursing including nurse consultant and nurse educator.

-Dr. Amanda Rotondo, Adjunct Lecturer in the Physical Therapy Department, who is the owner of Precious Movements Physical Therapy and specializes in treating orthopedics and pediatrics.

-Constance Stafford, an Adjunct Professor in the Social Work Department. She has experience working with the developmentally disabled. Currently, she is the manager of professional student services in the Department of Social Work.

The speakers discussed the key roles that nursing, physical therapy, and social work play as members of the interdisciplinary team. The objectives of the program were to clearly articulate the professional roles, to build respectful relationships among healthcare science students, to advocate for an interprofessional evidence-based approach when addressing patient problems, and to foster the development of interprofessional teams dedicated to improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Karen Arca-Contreras advocated for the “need for interprofessional education and effective collaboration so health science students will be better prepared to improve patient outcomes after graduation. We must prepare our students to work with other disciplines as well as patients and their families in order to deliver the highest quality of care across various health settings.”

Dr. Arlene Farren, Chairperson of the Department of Nursing, concluded the program by asking participants to commit to working together as members of the interdisciplinary team.

By Karen Arca Contreras

Zaghloul Ahmed featured in Science & Enterprise

College of Staten Island Professor Zaghloul Ahmed, PhD, and his patented spinal stimulation technology were featured in an article on Science & Enterprise online. The story, “Neuro Device Company to Begin Clinical Trials in Europe,” discusses the trials which will “test a non-invasive device that stimulates nerves and the spinal cord to treat neuromotor disorders,” according to the article.

Read the full piece on the Science & Enterprise Web site.

Appointment of the Dean of Health Sciences

June 13, 2017 9:49 am

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Marcus Tye has accepted the position of Dean of the School of Health Sciences, effective Monday, July 17, 2017. Accordingly, President Fritz will recommend his appointment to the CUNY Board of Trustees. Dr. Tye will also hold a tenured professorship in the Psychology Department.

Dr. Tye brings a unique background and record of achievement to CSI. He comes to us from National University, where he has served for the past year as Professor of Psychology and Regional Lead in charge of the Master of Arts program in Counseling Psychology at the Fresno, CA campus, with Marriage and Family Therapy and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor tracks. Prior to his service at National University, he served for 17 years as a faculty member at Dowling College. At that institution, he held a number of leadership positions, including multiple terms as Chair of the Psychology Department, and created an institution-wide program of undergraduate academic honors projects. In Dowling’s relatively flat administrative structure, his duties spanned many of the usual functions of a Dean and/or Associate Provost. He has extensive union leadership experience, with multiple terms as an officer, including serving as chief negotiator of a five-year contract in 2007, and in 2016 as head of the faculty union, working directly with the institution’s president and chair of the board of trustees to extend operations to permit the institution’s final class to graduate. He brings deep experience in faculty governance, as well as administration, and in both regional and professional accreditation issues.

Dr. Tye is a clinical psychologist licensed in the State of New York, whose scholarship is in the area of gender and sexuality. He is the author of a number of articles and book chapters, as well as a widely used textbook in his field. He received his AB from Princeton University (cum laude) and his MA and PhD in Psychology from the University of North Dakota. He has a deep commitment to helping first-generation students succeed in their intellectual and career advancement.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Marcus Tye to CSI and wishing him great success as Dean of the School of Health Sciences.

- Gary W. Reichard

CSI and LaGuardia Physical Therapy Students Gather for Annual Event

April 03, 2017

Students from CSI and LCC take time out to pose for a group shot.

For the past five years, the faculty from the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the College of Staten Island (CSI) and the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at LaGuardia Community College (LCC) have collaborated to provide students with an inter-professional experience. The Level 1 DPT students from CSI and the Level 1 and 2 PTA students from LCC met for this wonderful educational event.

Background information was provided to the students, regarding similarities and differences between the Physical Therapy (PT) and PTA professions, DPT and PTA curricula, as well as how to work together in a clinical setting.  The students also engaged in an exercise requiring collaboration between the students to come up with a treatment plan for a hypothetical patient scenario. Students also took part in a role-playing exercise that depicted how a real-life scenario might enfold between a PT and a PTA in a clinical setting. The event took place at CSI in Building 5N. The location alternates each year between CSI and LCC.

“As a first-year student in the College of Staten Island’s DPT program, I have been continuously taught the importance of communication between physical therapists and other healthcare professionals while working in the field. However, it is often difficult to demonstrate this discipline in a classroom setting that only consists of other PT students. The interdisciplinary seminar with the PTA students of LCC was an amazing opportunity to practice working together as a team and to begin incorporating necessary communication skills with each other. This collaborative workshop allowed us to develop a stronger awareness of the other’s profession, learn from one another, and simulate hypothetical scenarios that we will all likely experience in the future.  I left the seminar with a sharpened perspective of the PTA profession and ultimately feel more comfortable with my communication skills going forward in my physical therapy journey,” noted Sean Dwyer, Level 1 CSI DPT student.

“I used to think that a PTA was simply a liaison between doctor and patient, but it wasn’t until this experience that I realized we are more than that; PTAs are hard-working critical thinkers and DPTs value our opinions, skills, experiences, and judgement just as much as they value their education. I left that afternoon feeling even more proud of my professors, who not only love what they do, but taught it with such passion… This was a most privileged encounter that I will never forget and can only hope to one day pay it forward to the next generation of healthcare providers,” commented LCC Level II PTA student Amy Almeida.

By Amanda L. Rotondo, PT, DPT, Director of Clinical Education, Department of Physical Therapy

Take Your First Step towards Your Next Step at NYC Clinical Trials for SCI

April 04, 2017

Dr. Knikou is inviting individuals with spinal cord injuries for non-invasive clinical trials.

Neurophysiologist and researcher Dr. Maria Knikou invites people with spinal cord injuries to apply for non-invasive clinical trials to assess, rehabilitate, and improve motor function and control, while reducing spacsticity. Early trials are promising, many returning for Robotic Gait Training. Stipends and travel reimbursements available.

When we think about spinal cord injuries, thoughts generally turn toward Christopher Reeve who was thrown from his horse during trial events for an equestrian competition in 1995, and Steven McDonald, who was shot three times in 1986 after serving two years as an officer with the New York Police Department. Reeve’s and McDonald’s heroic and visible survival stories brought the severity of spinal cord injuries into the international dialogue.

Today at the College of Staten Island (CSI), Maria Knikou, PhD, is holding clinical trials of her breakthrough research designed to develop effective rehabilitation strategies to improve the walking ability of persons with spinal cord injuries that have affected the function of the central nervous system.

During her ongoing trials, she has recently worked with eight people with spinal cord injuries, including a 20-year-old who fell out of a golf cart and broke his neck nine months ago, and a Midwestern woman who broke her neck. These people, who have been diagnosed with tetraplegia (a spinal cord injury above the first thoracic vertebra or within cervical sections Cervical 1-8) and severe paralysis of the legs, came to CSI to participate in the research trials. After completing four to six weeks of therapy with Dr. Knikou, the patients saw motor function improve, with increased control and reduced spasticity.

According to spinalcord.com, “The spinal cord carries nerve fibers traveling both from the brain to the rest of the body and from the body back to the brain. Those coming from the brain are responsible for voluntary control of muscles. Those traveling toward the brain carry sensation.”

Dr. Knikou working in her lab.

Dr. Knikou’s non-invasive therapy focuses on assessing the signal transfer from the brain to the legs in order to strengthen and enhance that pathway and provide gains in motor function. Patients who undergo the phase one therapy may be eligible for the phase two Robotic Gait Training, designed to further stimulate brain, spinal, and muscular health on a pathway for improved mobility. People who participate in the trials are provided a stipend, and certain expenses may be covered.

Persons who are interested in learning if they are eligible candidates for this unique therapeutic approach should contact Dr. Knikou, Professor of Human Neurophysiology in the Physical Therapy Department of the School of Health Sciences at 718.982.3316 or maria.knikou@csi.cuny.edu. All trials are conducted on the Willowbrook campus of the College of Staten Island in New York City.

“Dr Knikou’s forward-thinking and expertise in human neurophysiology have enabled her to be extremely successful, with ongoing grant support from New York State and other private foundations,” commented Dean Maureen Becker, PhD. “She is one of the leading researchers in the School of Health Sciences at the College of Staten Island and her work, one day, will impact the lives of millions of individuals with spinal cord injury.”

Dr. Knikou’s research project is funded by the New York State Department of Health, Spinal Cord Injury Research Board, under the Project to Accelerate Research Translation (PART) award. She mentors high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral research fellows and junior faculty. Dr. Knikou serves on several editorial boards and has published her research work in high-ranking, peer-reviewed scientific journals.

For details regarding Dr. Knikou’s research visit www.researchgate.net/profile/Maria_Knikou

For more information about the College of Staten Island School of Health Sciences visit www.csi.cuny.edu/schoolofhealthsciences

By Sara Paul

CSI’s DPT Program Celebrates 100% Success Rate

August 18, 2016

DPT Class of 2016

The College of Staten Island (CSI) is proud to announce that this year all 20Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy(DPT) graduates passed the Physical Therapy license exam on their first attempt. This marks the first time in the history of the program, which is just under three decades old, that graduates have celebrated a 100% success rate.

“This achievement clearly reflects a team effort of having an outstanding group of dedicated, intelligent, and resourceful students, and now licensed graduates; committed and hard-working highly qualified faculty and staff; and an administratively supportive environment with adequate resources for teaching and research,” noted Dr. Jeffrey Rothman, former Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy.

“As the outgoing Founding Chair, this accomplishment is personally very gratifying. I wish the program faculty and staff, students, and graduates much continued success,” said Dr. Rothman, who stepped down as chair in July.

The Department’s new Chair, Dr. Zaghloul Ahmed, commented, “I am thrilled to lead such an impressive department and I look forward to helping to bring our next class of students to the same lofty achievements as has been accomplished by the Class of 2016.”

School of Health Sciences Dean Dr. Maureen Becker added that, “This is an incredible feat, like taking home an Olympic gold medal! Traditionally, the Physical Therapy license exam results have always been outstanding … bronze and silver medal-worthy … this year, it all came together. I am truly proud of our students, alumni, and faculty, both full-time and adjunct, whose ongoing assessment and improvement implementation has led to this phenomenal outcome.”

The graduates mean scale score was more than 35 points above the mean national scale score (717 to 683) and the passing rate was seven percentage points above the national percentage. The exam was administered nationally on July 19 and the official results were reported by the Federation for State Board Physical Therapy Examiners.

The Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) program prepares students to become clinician-scientists who can competently apply research to clinical practice, perform all aspects of physical therapy practice, and perform clinical research. It will prepare graduates to examine, evaluate, diagnose, and intervene in the management of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities of the cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and integumentary systems.

The program meets the changing national standards as well as community needs for physical therapists working in a multitude of settings. The DPT program is in accordance with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) recommendation that physical therapists be doctorally credentialed. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Graduates will be eligible for the National Physical Therapy Examination.

By Sara Paul

Best Oral Presentations DPT Students (group presentation): Christina Gioeli, Kerry McPartlan, Emily Reid, Matthew Turturro Mentor: Professor Wei Zhang Physical Therapy Title: “Multi-Digit Coordination in Absence of Cutaneous Sensory Feedback During Grasping Tasks”

Inaugural Graduate Research Conference at CSI Draws Crowds

June 06, 2016

Andrew Mancuso

Are parents the ones who should be willing and able to provide sex education for their children? Is your favorite restaurant a healthy and safe choice of eatery?

These are just some of the questions addressed at this year’s first annual Graduate Research Conference (GRC) at the College of Staten Island (CSI). For the first time in CSI history, graduate students were invited to share their research and scholarship at a conference that took place at CSI’s Center for Performing Arts on May 12. The program outlined 14 oral presentations, (moderated by Professors Wei Zhang, Soon Ae Chun and William L”Amoreux) and 45 poster presentations by more than 70 CSI students.

The GRC was coordinated by Maureen Becker, Interim Founding Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Lynne Lacomis, and Joanne DeLucrezia. Dean Becker was extremely proud of the inaugural event commenting that “we far surpassed our expectations in terms of the number and caliber of participants.”

“No matter what the topic, the presenters were all so engaging, so well prepared and experts on their topic areas” said Dean Becker, adding that all schools and divisions were represented at the Conference, which attracted more than 400 people.

Some notable posters included those by Junaid Qaiser, Kaushiki Chatterjee, Randy B. Topper, and Andrew Mancuso.

Junaid Qaiser

Qaiser’s presentation “Smart ‘Healthy’ City Decision Support with New York City Restaurant Inspection Results” analyzed a list of restaurants inspected in a given timeframe in order to address policy making decisions for the city government and to provide information on the health status of restaurants. Qaier’s facuty mentor is Professor Soon Ae Chun.

Chatterjee’s poster “Effects of Resveratol and Pterostilbene on Human Cervical Cancer Cells” studied the effects of two polyphenols, Resveratol and Pterostilbene, on cervical cancer cells. Professor Jimmie Fata serves as Chatterjee’s faculty mentor.

“To What Extent Are Parents Willing and Able to Give Their Children Accurate Comprehensive Sex Education?” was the poster presentation created by Randy B. Topper who looked at specific data showing to what extent parents are the appropriate individuals to communicate information on sex education to their children. Professor Barbra Teater is Topper’s faculty mentor.

Mancuso created two posters.  One in collaboration with Chatterjee and Kamia Punia was titled “Delivering Phytochemical Therapeutics through Polymer Nanofibers.” The group created specific nano fibers to use as an implant for the treatment of cervical cancer and antimicrobial infections.  The faculty mentor for this group is Professor Krishnaswami Raja.

Mancuso, with faculty mentor Professor Raja, also presented on “Novel Polymer Micro-Structures for Drug Delivery Produced by Solution Blow-spinning.” Utilizing the blow-spinning process to create nano fibers in this project allowed greater control over the fabrication process.

The Conference culminated in an awards ceremony in which three of the best poster and oral presenters were selected by audience members. The “People’s Choice Awards” winners are listed below. Each winner received $50 gift card.

Best Poster Presentations

Tied for First Place:

Student: Viktoriya Morozova

Mentor: Professor Alejandra Alonso

Neuroscience

Title: “Uptake of Tau Proteins by HEK Cells”

Student: Carla Ann Kostandy

Mentor: Professor June Como

Nursing

Title: “Diabetes in a Nutshell: A Clinical Nurse Specialists’ Education Project for Healthcare Personnel”

Second Place

Student: Jennifer Williams

Mentor: Professor Eric Ivison

History

Title: “A Double Spouted Jar of the Chimu Culture in the Pre-Columbian Collection of the Staten Island Museum”

Best Oral Presentations (one from each room)

Student: Lauren Scott

Mentor: Professor Judit Kerekes

Education

Title: “Heterogeneous Cooperative Learning and Its Effects on Students’ Understanding of Multi-step Mathematical Word Problems”

Students (group presentation): Christina Gioeli, Kerry McPartlan, Emily Reid, Matthew Turturro

Mentor: Professor Wei Zhang

Physical Therapy

Title: “Multi-Digit Coordination in Absence of Cutaneous Sensory Feedback During Grasping Tasks”

Student: Maiara Bollauf

Mentor: Professor Vinay Vaishampayan

Engineering Science

Title: “Communication Complexity of the Closest Lattice Point Problem”

By Sara Paul