Doctoral students under the tutelage of Mary Barbe not only benefit from her incredible research expertise, but they can also count on her as a friend and ally who will go above and beyond to help them

become successful researchers and

clinicians.

Former students heartily praise Barbe, an associate professor of physical therapy in the College of Health Professions, citing her commitment to research and her unwavering support after graduation.

Barbe is also an associate professor of anatomy and cell biology at the School of Medicine.

“I’ll never forget her assistance with my career and on a personal level,” said Samir Abdelmagid, a research fellow in the plastic and reconstructive surgery department at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Abdelmagid completed his Ph.D. in cell biology at Temple in 2005.

“She dealt with me as a colleague with full respect. She would come to my office to ask about my progress and review my presentations for meetings,” Abdelmagid said. “We still call each other frequently.

With every doctoral student, Barbe said she hopes that she’s opening a line of communication — a relationship that will last throughout their scientific careers.

“When you mentor students, you always keep their success in mind. You help to enhance their opportunities to have their work published and secure faculty positions,” said Barbe, a winner of the 2008 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Angela Tate said her ability to do research today is a result of her work with Barbe. Tate currently is the lead clinical coordinator for a five-state multi-center trial on

shoulder impingement funded by the National Athletic Training Association.

“It is really a great feeling to be able to contribute to my profession and treat patients using my research findings. I am eternally grateful to Mary for her encouragement and assistance throughout my seven years of doctoral work and five

years of master’s studies at Temple,” Tate said.

While Barbe primarily mentors doctor of physical therapy and Ph.D. students as well as postdoctoral fellows, she also teaches a variety of advanced courses to medical and health professions students.

“Her expertise in the classroom also extends to her research agenda.

She is an outstanding role model for students as exemplified in her sustained level of grant funding, publications and presentations from the state to international level

for over 20 years,” said Jennifer Ibrahim, assistant professor in the department of public health and co-chair of the awards committee in the College of Health Professions.

Barbe has also been awarded the Educator Award from the Philadelphia Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience (2008) and the Excellence in Teaching Award from the

College of Health Professions (1994 and 2007). She received her Ph.D. in anatomy from Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University.

—Written by Anna Nguyen

For the Temple Times