Office of Research: Meet the Team
The SHP Office of Research provides learning, development, and support programs for SHP research and scholarship. Our programs promote knowledge, practice, and translation through research in basic, applied, and clinical sciences with the aim of advancing SHP scholarly activities among faculty and students.
Please call 806.743.2439, email us at shp.research@ttuhsc.edu, or visit our office if you are interested in learning more about the programs we offer or have any questions. We are proud to have an “open-door” policy and encourage drop-in visits to assist you in achieving your research and scholarship goals.
Office of Research
Troy Hooper, PT, LAT, ATC, PhD
Associate Dean of Research
806.743.2948
troy.hooper@ttuhsc.edu
Troy Hooper is the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation for the School of Health Professions. He has worked at TTUHSC since 2007. He began his academic career in the Master of Athletic Training program and moved to the ScD in Physical Therapy (now Rehabilitation Sciences) program in 2012. He is also a faculty member in the PhD in Rehabilitation Science program. He was promoted to associate professor in 2018 and was appointed Director of Research Data Management in the SHP Office of Research and Innovation in 2021. MORE
McKenzie T. Wilkes, PhD
Senior Director
806.743.2096
mckenzie.t.wilkes@ttuhsc.edu
McKenzie Wilkes is the School of Health Professions (SHP) Director of the Office of Research and Innovation. She also teaches a graduate course in human growth and development as an adjunct Clinical Counseling & Mental Health instructor in SHP. Dr. Wilkes earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis on Addictive Disorders and Recovery Sciences and Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University in 2016. MORE
Julie St. John PhD(c), DrPH, MPH, MA, CHWI
Associate Professor
325-696-0473
julie.st-john@ttuhsc.edu
Julie St. John is an Associate Professor in the Office of Research and Innovation, School of Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene. Dr. St. John has served as the principal and co-investigator on numerous projects in rural and underserved areas that utilized community based participatory research approaches. MORE
Giovanni Ramirez
Research Administrator
806.743.9402
giovanni.ramirez@ttuhsc.edu
Giovanni Ramirez is the Research Administrator for the Office of Research and Innovation
(ORI) for the School of Health Professions. She joined ORI in June 2024, transitioning
from her role as a Human Resources Director with over a decade of HR experience. Giovanni
graduated from Texas Tech University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts. She majored
in Communication Studies, focusing on Interpersonal Communications, and has a double
minor in English and Mass Communications.
Research Advisory Council
Troy Hooper, PT, LAT, ATC, PhD
McKenzie T. Wilkes, PhD
Roger James, PhD, FACSM
Katie Bennett, PhD, MB (ASCP) CM, NRCC-CC
Candace Hicks, PhD, CCC-A
Dimitrios Zikos, PhD
Institute and Center Directors
Roger James, PhD, FACSM
Director, Center of Rehabilitation Research
806.743.4525
roger.james@ttuhsc.edu
Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D.,Ph.D., CCC-A
Director, Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
806.743.9043
leigh.reel@ttuhsc.edu
Kerry K. Gilbert, PT, ScD
Co-Director, Institute of Anatomical Sciences
Assistant Dean of Anatomy Research & Education
806.743.4525
kerry.gilbert@ttuhsc.edu