History in Motion

Ph.D. graduates Miranda Umbras (third from left) and Mariah Gleeson (third from right) with Drs. Kevin Ball, Melodie Kondratek, Lori Boright and Kris Thompson

Four Oakland University graduates recently made School of Health Sciences history as the first Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) graduates of the School — and impressively, they did so in just the fourth year of the program’s existence.

The Ph.D. in Human Movement Science (HMS) prepares leaders, educators and researchers to produce relevant and impactful research in the field. “Oakland began a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (DScPT) program in 2001, which was specifically for physical therapists,” explains Dr. Kris Thompson, Ph.D. program director and coordinator of the former DScPT program. “However, when the physical therapy and exercise science programs joined together to form the Department of Human Movement Science in 2017, we began thinking about a Ph.D. program that would be for physical therapists, exercise scientists and other movement science specialists in order to reach all professionals in the field.” This led to the birth of the Ph.D. in Human Movement Science program, which welcomed its first cohort under the leadership of Dr. Thompson in Fall 2021.

The Ph.D. program is built upon distinct coursework, which can be completed in-person or online; a competency-based examination that includes a research proposal and presentation, grant application and teaching portfolio; and then a dissertation which is completed under the supervision and mentorship of a dissertation chair and committee.

This unique program allows students to customize the curriculum to their interests and goals by choosing a distinct graduate certificate to complete as part of their credit count. Certificates can be chosen from similar fields of study, like physical therapy (Oncology Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy) and exercise science (Corporate and Worksite Wellness), or complementary areas, like public health (Epidemiological Research) and education (Human Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice; Teaching and Learning for Health Science Professionals).

Drs. Mariah Gleeson, Seth Higgins and Miranda Umbras earned their degrees in December 2024, and Dr. Shweta Kapur earned hers in April 2025. All coming from different backgrounds, the Ph.D. in HMS program encouraged each to customize their research towards their interests and goals.

Two of our graduates, Drs. Kapur and Umbras earned distinct awards throughout their time in the program.

Building Balance

Dr. Shweta Kapur

A longtime Metro Detroit resident, Shweta Kapur, Ph.D., PT, M.S., has seen SHS and its Physical Therapy program grow over the years. Looking to have a greater impact on her profession and patient care, Kapur knew that the Ph.D. in HMS program at Oakland would provide ample resources and opportunities to excel, while allowing her to stay close to her family.

Kapur’s primary research focus was on the health care utilization for balance problems in community-dwelling populations. “As a physical therapist,” she says, “it concerned me that the number of falls and fall-related injuries kept increasing, despite the availability of effective fall prevention interventions that could be helpful — so I went on to find out why.” To complement her studies and project, she completed the public health graduate certificate in Epidemiological Research.

Kapur also researched the development and delivery of an educational module on regenerative rehabilitation for Doctor of Physical Therapy students.

Dr. Shweta Kapur (center) with Dr. Daniel Goble (left) and Dean Kevin Ball (right)

While in the Ph.D. program, Kapur delivered platform and poster presentations at international/national and regional conferences; she notes this as a distinct highlight of her participation in the program. Further, she published four peer-reviewed publications and earned numerous awards from OU, SHS and professional organizations.

Dr. Kapur hopes to pursue her passion for research and mentor the next generation of health professionals through academia. “I’ve been able to combine my clinical and industry experience with the research expertise that I gained during the program,” she says. “I also learned the background preparation of university teaching that goes beyond delivering lectures — such as curriculum development, accreditation requirements and creating engaging content.”

Dr. Kapur is grateful to everyone who has supported her during her Ph.D. journey: her mentors, OU leaders and faculty, her friends, and — most of all — her family.

Movement for Heart Health

Dr. Miranda Umbras

Miranda Umbras, Ph.D., ACSM-CEP, is a lifetime Golden Grizzly — her mother attended Oakland University in the early 1980s and Umbras started her undergraduate education at OU right after high school. She has earned three degrees from OU’s School of Health Sciences: a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences, Master’s in Exercise Science, and now Ph.D. in HMS. Umbras focused her doctoral research on pediatric cardiac rehabilitation programs — first investigating children’s cardiovascular response to aerobic dance, then exploring exercise behaviors and barriers for children with congenital heart disease.

Upon graduating with her Ph.D., Dr. Umbras earned the Jan and Don O’Dowd Graduate Award. One of OU’s top honors, this award recognizes a graduate student who demonstrates exceptional leadership, intellectual curiosity, service, compassion and dedication to the University and community.

Miranda Umbras teaches at School of Health Sciences summer camp

A passion for teaching and desire to educate the next generation drove Dr. Umbras to pursue a Ph.D, and she feels very well-prepared to pursue her goal of becoming a professor as a result of the program. “Not only did I refine my research and teaching abilities,” she explains, “but job skills were a part of the program. I can use many materials I created during my schooling to apply for positions, including teaching portfolios, curriculum vitae and more.”

Dr. Umbras appreciates the opportunity to work very closely with all of the SHS faculty in the interdisciplinary program. “Although I originally came to OU for my undergraduate education for the cost and convenience,” she says passionately, “I stayed for the quality education and amazing relationships I had built.” She is grateful that Dr. Kris Thompson, program coordinator, brought the program to her attention and encouraged her to take this step towards her dreams.

Congratulations to the graduating class and their mentors, Drs. Lori Boright, Daniel Goble, Melodie Kondratek, Kwame Sakyi and Kris Thompson.

Learn more about the Ph.D. in Human Movement Science.