People
Principal Investigator
Beth Pyatak, PhD, OTR/L, CDCES ⟩ (she/her/hers)
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Beth Pyatak, director of the Lifestyle Redesign for Chronic Conditions research lab, is an occupational scientist, occupational therapist and certified diabetes educator. Her research encompasses the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of living with diabetes and other chronic conditions. Several of her studies have focused on developing and evaluating Lifestyle Redesign® interventions to promote well-being and quality of life among individuals with diabetes, and the dissemination and implementation of these interventions in real-world settings.
Research Team
Jeanine Blanchard, PhD, OTR/L, DipACLM ⟩(she/her/hers)
Project Manager
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Jeanine Blanchard received both her MA in Occupational Therapy and her PhD in Occupational Science from the University of Southern California. Dr. Blanchard also earned Certificate in Research Administration from the University of Southern California (Contracts and Grants Curriculum). She has extensive project management experience on several research studies, including large-scale clinical trials, pilot feasibility studies, qualitative research studies, and her own mixed-methods dissertation study. Most of the work she has been involved in has related to Lifestyle Redesign® research and dissemination products.
Gabby Granados, OTD, OTR/L ⟩(she/her/hers)
Occupational Therapist
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Gabby is an occupational therapist for the REAL-T study who provides Lifestyle Redesign® services to young adults with type 1 diabetes. Prior to this position, she was an OTD resident within the LRCC lab whose clinical work facilitated the establishment of a primary care clinical residency position at LAC+USC. In addition to her innovative role as part of the lab, she is an acute care OT at a local hospital. Gabby is a “Triple Trojan” having earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in OT at USC. She is passionate about expanding the role and scope of OT to service underrepresented client populations.
Anya Khurana, BS(she/her/hers)
Research Project Interviewer
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Anya is a Research Assistant in the LRCC Laboratory working on the REAL-T and CoYoT1D projects. She graduated from USC with a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and minored in Spanish. Anya is currently pursuing admission into medical school, after which she hopes to become a pediatric endocrinologist. Her research interests include patient empowerment, adolescent and young adult health, and chronic conditions. Outside of the lab, Anya loves to swim, read, and try new restaurants with her friends and family!
Riley McGuire, OTD(she/her/hers)
Project Administrator
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Riley earned both her MA and OTD in Occupational Therapy from the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. She previously received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UCLA. Riley discovered her interest in research after her experience completing her residency in Dr. Lisa Aziz-Zadeh’s CeNEC lab studying the connection between the microbiome, brain, and behavior in children and adolescents with ASD. Beyond work, she loves baking, sewing, ceramics, and spending time with her loved ones.
Loree Pham, MS, OTR/L, DipACLM ⟩(she/her/hers)
PhD Student
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Loree Pham is an occupational therapist and PhD student in the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. She completed her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and Bachelor’s in Economics at the University of California, San Diego. Her work focuses on assisting with the FEEL-T1D Study to understand the relationship between acute blood glucose levels, momentary mood, function, and emotional well-being in adults with type 1 diabetes. In her free time, Loree enjoys baking, cooking, hiking, reading, and yoga.
Valerie Tapia, PhD Candidate ⟩(she/her/hers)
PhD Research Assistant
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Valerie Tapia, she/her/hers, is a PhD student in the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. She graduated with her Bachelor’s in Psychology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Her work focuses on assisting with the REAL-T study. She is interested in appropriate intervention design for underserved minorities in healthcare that promote equity and social justice. When she is not in the lab, she enjoys acrylic paint pouring, camping, and trying new food places in LA.
Ngozi “NG” Nnoli, PhD Candidate ⟩(she/her/hers)
PhD Research Assistant
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Ngozi “NG” Nnoli, is a PhD student in the USC Chan Division of OSOT. She graduated with her BS in Kinesiology from CSU Sacramento, and her MS in Kinesiology from CSU Northridge. Her work focuses on assisting with the REAL-T study. She is interested in learning about young adults with diabetes and seeking the challenges of managing a disability with their everyday living activities, and understanding how managing diabetes poorly could impact this group from a psycho, social, and functional fitness standpoint. In her free time, she enjoys reading, journaling, aerobic dance, watching musicals, karaoke or lip singing competitions, and hiking before the sun rises.
Yujia “Mona” Mo, PhD Candidate ⟩(she/her/hers)
PhD Research Assistant
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Yujia is a member in the China Initiative, admitted to USC Chan as the second Peking University Health Science Center (PKUHSC) student, pursuing the PhD degree in Occupational Science. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Therapy and Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. During her journey, she gradually realized the magic of minute parts of occupation that may have a wonderful impact on people’s health and well-being. With curiosity and determination to figure out the mystery of life, she choose the LRCC. Seeking for challenges and trying new things is her own lifestyle. She enjoys all kinds of activities in daily life: morning running, road cycling, writing calligraphy. Photography is her favorite.
Wen Guo, OTD Student (she/her/hers)
OTD Research Assistant
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Wen Guo, an OTD resident at the LRCC Lab, is a graduate student at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. She graduated with a master’s degree in rehabilitation therapy from Peking University Health Science Center. She is interested in lifetyle management for people with chronic diseases. In her spare time, she loves hiking and traveling with her family and friends.
Zhixin Liu, OTD Student (she/her/hers)
OTD Research Assistant
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Zhixin is a graduate student at USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, building on a strong foundation from Peking University where she earned a master’s in rehabilitation therapy. Focused on oncology and chronic diseases, she is keen on developing strategies for lifestyle management in these areas. In her leisure time, she enjoys travel, cinema, culinary explorations, and delving into a good book.
Aina Ali, OTS (she/her/hers)
Research Assistant, CSUDH MSOT Student
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Aina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from the USC Keck School of Medicine. She currently attends the CSU Dominguez Hills occupational therapy program. Upon graduating, she hopes to work with diverse populations and students. Her interests range from mental health and wellness to sustainability. In her free time, Aina enjoys eating, exploring, hiking, and most of all, spending time with loved ones.
Sierra Morin, OTS(she/her/hers)
MA Research Assistant
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Sierra Morin is a Research Assistant and is a first-year Entry-Level OTD student at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. She recently graduated from USC with a major in Health and Human Sciences and a minor in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Sierra is passionate about teaching youth to advocate for their own health and well-being and is excited to put this passion into practice as an OT. She also knows how to cook a fantastic chicken enchilada casserole and loves to hike on the weekends.
Volunteer Research Assistants
Kara Kushwaha(she/her/hers)
Dhivya Vadapalli(she/her/hers)
Kyana Huang(she/her/hers)
Korrie Han(she/her/hers)
Affiliated Division Faculty
Jesús Díaz, OTD, OTR/L(he/him/his)
Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
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Katie Jordan, OTD, OTR/L
Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
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Stacey Schepens Niemiec, PhD, OTR/L, DipACLM(she/her/hers)
Associate Professor of Research
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John Sideris, PhD(he/him/his)
Professor of Research
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External Collaborators
Jill Crandall, MD
Professor of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Director of Diabetes Clinical Trials Unit
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Steven Fox, MD, MSc
Assistant Professor, Clinical Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC
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Jeffrey S. Gonzalez, PhD(he/him/his)
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine (Endocrinology), Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Population Health
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Michael A. Harris, PhD(he/him/his)
Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of Pediatric Psychology, Oregon Health & Science University
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Cynthia Muñoz, PhD, MPH, MA(she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC
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Anne Peters, MD(she/her/hers)
Director, USC Clinical Diabetes Programs
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Jennifer Raymond, MD, MCR(she/her/hers)
Clinical Diabetes Director, Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC
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Valerie Ruelas, MSW, LCSW
Director, Community Diabetes Initiative (CDI), Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and USC Keck School of Medicine
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Stefan Schneider, PhD(he/him/his)
Social/Health Psychologist, Dornsife Center for Self-Report Science
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Paola Sequeira, MD, MPH(she/her/hers)
LAC+USC Young Adult Transition Endocrine Clinic Director, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Faculty
Donna Spruijt-Metz(she/her/hers)
Director, USC-CESR Mobile and Connected Health Program
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Past Team Members
Esequiel Jimenez (2021-2023, MA Research Assistant)
Leah Willover (2021-2023, MA Research Assistant)
Rachael Gallagher (2019-2023, Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Tam Hoang (2022-2023, Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Stefanie Kuizon (2018-2022, Undergraduate and MA Research Assistant)
Seth Mitchell (2022, Fieldwork 2 Student)
Jaxon Abercrombie (2020-2022, Undergraduate and Graduate Research Assistant)
Elaina Rodriguez Garza (2019-2022, MA, OTD)
Ellie Taylor (2020-2022, MA, OTR, PhD Student)
Alexandra Lee (2020-2022, Undergraduate Research Assistant)
John J. Lee, OTD (2020-2022, MA Research Assistant)
Jiyun Kim, OTR (2018-2022, MA Research Assistant)
Elia Salazar, Ed.D, MPH (2018-2022, Project Specialist)
Natasha Hashemi (2020-2022, Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Raymond Hernandez, MS, OTD, OTR/L (2016-2021, PhD candidate)
Anuva Mittal (2020-2021, Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Monica Martinez (2021, Fieldwork 1 Student)
Daniel Padilla Vega, OTD, OTR/L (2019-2020, OTD Resident)
Mary Harris (2021, OTD Capstone Student)
Ben Feiten (2021, OTD Capstone Student)
Angela Pogossian, OTS (2020-2021, MA Research Assistant)
Nicole Manalo, OTS (2020-2021, MA Research Assistant)
Kyra McClain (2020, Research Assistant)
Khatira Mehdiyeva, MD, MPH (2017-2020, Project Assistant)
Elissa Lee, OTD, OTR/L (2019-2020, OTD Resident)
Elissa Taylor, OTD, OTR/L (2019-2020, OTD Resident)
Megan Linderman, OTD, OTR/L (2019, OTD Resident)
Minhee Choi, MA (2018-2019, MA Research Assistant)
Shona Maher, OTS (2018-2019, MA Research Assistant)
Daniella Florindez MPH (2011-2018, Project Assistant)
Kristine Carandang PhD, OTR/L (2013-2018, Doctoral Research Assistant)
Maggie King OTD, OTR/L (2017-2018, OTD Resident)
Grace Cho OTD, OTR/L (2016-2018, MA Research Assistant)
Erin Bussell MA, OTR (2017-2018, MA Research Assistant)
Laura Cox OTD, OTR/L (2015-2016, MA Research Assistant)
Alexandra Gonzalez OTD, OTR/L (2014-2016, MA Research Assistant)
Emily Friedberg MA, OTR/L (2014-2016, MA Research Assistant)
Veronica Gomez MPH/MSW (2015-2016, MA Research Assistant)
Laura Guzman (2015-2016, Project Assistant)
Alyssa Concha OTD, OTR/L (2015, OTD Resident)
Nancy Dominguez MPH (2014-2015, MA Research Assistant)
Brian Wylie OTD, OTR/L (2013-2014, MA Research Assistant)
Maria Gonzalez MPH (2014, BS Research Assistant)
Sergio Sandoval OTD, OTR/L (2011-2013, MA Research Assistant)
Shain Davis OTD, OTR/L (2012-2013, OTD Resident)
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