Post-Professional OTD | Previous Projects
In fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree, doctoral candidates complete a formal presentation regarding their residency and highlighted accomplishments. Presentations typically include a summary of the evidence informing their residency experience, evidence-based deliverables and overall outcomes.
2020 Projects
Melina Allahverdian
Mindfulness to Avoid Burnout: Cultivating the Tools to Intentionally Ignite Again for Patients with Chronic Pain
Kiara Althaus
Occupational Therapy in Primary Care: Helping Patients with Chronic Conditions Thrive at Kaiser Permanente
Omar Arid
Building resilience in adolescents from vulnerable communities through mindfulness and experiential learning in the outdoors
Mineh Badmagharian
Occupational Therapy and Mental Health in Armenia
Ashley Bonzell
Pediatric Occupational Therapy and Telehealth
Erin Bussell
Controlling the seemingly uncontrollable: Addressing lifestyle factors for individuals with a mental health diagnosis
Valentina Vera Carrasquero
Autism screening disparities in Latino families
Colleen Carroll
Building Sensory Connections in the Inpatient Psychiatric Setting
Psalm Chang (Ho)
Occupational Therapy Education in China: Ensuring Success for First- Time Teaching Faculty
Candace Chatman
Growing by leaps and bounds: Finding my feet in leadership through program evaluation and a pandemic
Ellie Clark
“I never expected it to be this hard” - a multifaceted approach to evaluating lung transplant recovery
Talent Dang
Occupational Therapy Patient Outcomes in a Neuro Day Rehab Program at Rancho Los Amigos
Lauren Espinoza
Defining the Role of Occupational Therapy on a Street Medicine Primary Care Team
Alexandra Freeman
Implementation of Evidence-Based Care Across Pediatric Occupational Therapy Settings
Elizabeth Gerwig
Immersed and On Track: A Holistic Program for Handwriting Acquisition During a Period of Distance Learning
Mollianne Grager
The Potential of Environmental Adaptations to Enhance Care Across Populations
Sara Harrison
A Head Start on Wellness: Trauma-Informed Occupational Therapy in Community-Based Pediatric Mental Health
Madeline Hayward
Implementation of a Standardized and Objective Sensory Assessment for Stroke Survivors in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit
Raquel Heyman
Enhancing Occupational Therapy Practice: Using Occupation as a Foundation in a Hand Therapy Setting
Faith Hicks
Self-Regulation for Students with Disabilities in a South Los Angeles Charter School
Thu Hoang
Occupational therapy’s value in patients’ recovery after cardiothoracic surgery: An emphasis on functional independence and self-efficacy
Serena Hobson
Enhancing Academic Success and Quality of Life with College Students: Improving the Transition into College
Anusha Hossain
Expanding Occupational Therapy’s Role in ASD Neuroscience Research
Hannah Hung
Expanding the value of OT at a Continuing Care Retirement Center
Sarah Kim
Role of Hand Rehabilitation in Post-Operative Management of Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Lisa Le
Promoting Health and Wellness in Underserved Communities at a Federally Qualified Health Center
Gyeom Bi Lee
Prepare for Take-off: Equipping Transition-Age Youth for Navigating into Adulthood
James Lee
Going Global: Strategically Developing International Partnerships to Strengthen the Occupational Therapy Profession
Tabitha Lin
Occupational Therapy in End-of-Life Care in Acute Oncology
Jody Liu
Building Evidence for Occupational Therapy in Work and Industry: Exploring Assessment Techniques and Identifying Practitioner Needs
Richard McHam
Communicating Respect and Combating Stigma: Mental Health Occupational Therapy in Permanent Supportive Housing
Vanessa Miller
Promoting OT’s Role in Health Management for Individuals with Neurologcial Conditions
Mariah Morris
To Graduate School and Beyond: Empowering Occupational Therapy International Students
Alexis Nalbach
Bridging Research and Practice: The Role of Occupational Therapy in Neuroscience Research and Implications for Children with ASD
Kiara Ota
Riding the Wave of Ambiguity
Rachel Park
Supporting Self-Management of Osteoarthritis in Hand Patients
Colleen Parrerson
Expanding Quality Care Beyond the Clinic: Telehealth in Hand Therapy
Jessica Pedersen
Outcome Measures as a Catalyst for Capturing Occupational Therapy’s Role in Acute Oncology
Julian Prado
Expanding Occupational Therapy in a Healthcare for the Homeless Clinic
Marinthea Richter
From “torture” to teamwork: Exploring the oral care challenges children with Down Syndrome
Chelsea Rivera
A Place At the Table: Seats of Power in Research and Acadamia
Kimberly Roberson
Advancing Change in K-12 Education while Mastering the Role of Change Agent in Occupational Therapy Practice
Ana Sanchez
Exploring Occupational Therapy’s Role in a Community College
Raquel Saunders
Integrating Occupation into Health Systems: A Social Ecological Perspective
Rebecca Snyder
Navigating the “New Normal” in Pediatric Practice: developing a flexible pandemic response in an outpatient pediatric clinic
Lillian Sun
Mental Health OT for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Elissa Taylor
Implementing Home Assessments in a Safety Net Primary Care Setting for Patients with Chronic Conditions
Julianne Teng
From patient to worker: Bridging the gap to employment through program development and evaluation of the Rancho Works Café and Gift Shop
Sarina Tetley
The USC Veterans Performance Program: P.A.V.E+
Alya Turcotte
Establishing Occupational Therapy’s Unique Role in a Foster Care Hub
Emma Wallace
Occupational therapy’s contribution in interdisciplinary pediatric mental health contexts: a professional and personal journey in confidence
Angela Wang
The Challenges of Adapting a Chinese Occupational Therapy Master’s Program During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Yushi Wang
Implementation of Standardized Outcome Measures in Keck Hospital of USC’s Inpatient Acute Rehabilitation Unit (Keck IRU)
Shannon Westerberg
Identifying Referral Patterns for Occupational Therapy in Concussion Management: an Evidence-based Approach
Amanda Wiles
Multimodal Approaches in Sensory Processing Research
Nicole Wright
Adaptive Baby Care
Ozan Yay
Building Community Through Occupational Engagement in Permanent Supportive Housing
Joyce Yoo
Occupational Therapy in Pediatric Mental Health: Charging into the Unknown
Amy Zhao
Establishing Roots for Occupational Therapy in Community-Based Pediatric Mental Health
Pengchen (Patrice) Zhao
Navigating Occupational Therapy in a Rural Mental Health System
2019 Projects | show
Aimee Aguillon
Developing a Hand Therapy Fellowship Program at USC
Amanda Allen-Flyckt
The Business of Play: Understanding What It Takes to Operate a Pediatric OT Practice
Yasmin Attia
Occupatinoal Therapy’s Role in Strengthening Families and Preventing Child Abuse
Ester Bae
Employment Program Development in Community Settings: A Collaborative Approach
Ranier Barrett
Peds. Feeding & Swallowing: Dysphagia Standardization Implementation in a Children’s Hospital
Marielle Bergstrand-Reiersgard
Occupational Therapy within Neurocritical Care: Long-Term Considerations
Brett Buford
From Consultation to Intervention: OT’s Role in Peds. Mental Health Across the Dev. Trajectory
Britney Carino
Design Development and Delivery of a Smartphone Application to Improve Physical Sedentary Activity in Older Adults
Kevin Casey
An Exploration of Occupational Justice: Its Place within OS and OT Education
Jennifer Chan
A Neuro-Informed Lens to Navigate Challenging Conversations Across the Continuum of Care
Cameron Chang
Translation or Transformation? Adapting USC Syllabi for a Dual-Degree OT Program in China
Wesley Chen
OT in the Multidisciplinary Continuum of Care for Patients with Lung Disease and Transplant
Stephanie Chinn
Adapting Hand Therapy for the Pediatric Population
Grace Cho
Kaiser Permanente Primary Care: Activating Patients to Thrive Beyond the Clinic
Janie Choi
Chronic Pain Management in Community Dwelling Older Adults
Eddie Chu
Understanding College Students With and Without Learning Difference: Validity and Reliability of the Calendar Study
Kaitlyn Cruz
Optimizing OT Practice for Adolescent and Young Adults in Oncology
Heather Gates
OT’s Distinct Role in Evaluating Individuals for Advanced Heart Failure Interventions
Gabby Granados
OT in Primary Care: Chronic Disease Self-Management in Interdisciplinary Safety Net Setting
Laryssa Green
Integrating Spirituality into OT Practice: OT for the Spirit, A Lifestyle Intervention
Caroline Hardin
Deconstructing, Analyzing, and Reconstructing the Therapeutic Process in Peds. Mental Health
Nicole Hiorns
Addressing Social-Emotional Development in a Multidisciplinary Sensory-Enriched E.I. Group
Delaney Hudak
Enhancing Oral Care Experience of Individuals with ASD: Sensory & Narrative-Based Strategies
Antoinetta Iannoccone
The Ranch as Clinic: Diversifying Sensory Integration Treatment Settings
Kimberly Jones
Bridging the Gap: Improving Caregiver and Child Quality of Life Through Implementation of a Parent Support Group
Emma Juhlin
OT at the Downtown Women’s Center: The Occupational Needs of Formerly Homeless Women
Bryan Kang
Storytelling in Hand Therapy: 2 Acts Towards Personal, Professional, and Clinical Growth
Alisa Kim
University Students’ Engagement with a Full-Time Facility Dog through an Occupational Lens
Jenna Kobara
How our Cultural Difference and Assumptions Impact True Professional Collaboration: An Experience in Ghana and Togo
Claire Kook
Boogie for your Brain: A Neuro-Cognitive Dance Group for Clients Recovering from Stroke
Sarah Krenik
The Therapeutic Imact of Therapy Dogs in Children with Autism in a School-Based Setting
Cam-Hong Le
OT in Primary Care: Cultivating Health and Wellness at a Federally Funded Qualified Health Center
Lauren Lee
The Needs of Patients in the Intensive Care Unit and Collegiate Athletes on and Off the Field
Phillip Lee
Exploring Occupational Therapy Within Permanent Supportive Housing in Skid Row, Los Angeles
Hanna Leong
Multidisciplinary Collaboration to Establish Appropriate OT Referrals in Acute Care
Amanda Levy
How Does It Make You Feel?: Sensory Strategies for Pediatric Mental Health Management
Carnie Lewis
OT as a Partner in the Fall Prevention Initiative at Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Megan Linderman
Chronic Conditions: Emerging Adulthood through the End of Life
Jane Liu
Sowing Seeds in China: Serving as Inaugural Faculty in Dual-Degree Occupational Therapy Program
Thomas Liu
Ergonomics in Hand Therapy Treatment
Danielle Lombardi
From the Home to the Clinic: Chronic Condition Management in Multiple Primary Care Settings
Diego Lopez
The Emerging Role of Occupational Therapy: Los Angeles City College
Jacqueline McIntosh
It Starts with Me: A program to build self efficacy in kids
Ryann MacMurdo
An OT Doctoral Experience: Neuroscience Research, Autism, & Starting a New Grad Program
Claudia Melgar
Is SMARTfit a Good Fit?
Ling Yu (Elena) Meng
Fostering Professional Identity in China: Adapting a Master’s Curriculum to Meet Local Needs
Emily Merrill
Exploring the Various Roles of OT in Interdisciplinary Outpatient Peds. Mental Health Setting
Deborah Metz
Occupational Therapy’s Role in Early Intervention Caregiver Education and Training
Melissa Metz
Addressing the Heart of Acute Care
Vidhisha Nair
Building Bridges: The Intentional Application of Occupations and Motivational Interviewing
Meghan Neureither
Stroke Rehabilitation Research: New Directions and Implications for Practice
Priya Parekh
OT in Health Promotion and Wellness: My Journey and Professional Growth
Niki Peterson
Developing Roots to Grow: Occupation-Based Programming at an Outdoor Pediatric Clinic
Allison Phillips
Insp!red: Early Autism Screening in Pediatric Practice
Keilani Phillips
Diving into Practice at LAC+USC Preemie Clinic
Zack Pinto
Access Autism: Community—No Longer Sold Separately
Molly Pogones
Lifestyle as Medicine: Integrating OT Services at a Community Health Center
Tiffany Quach
Applying Occupational Science to a Technology-Driven Intervention: Developing a Smartphone App to Increase Physical Activity in Older Adults with Impairments in Cognition
Liguo Qian
Exploring Culturally Sensitive Practice for Chinese Population
Pricilla Ring
The Role of OT in ASD Developmental Research
Malia Sako
Empowerment through Lifestyle Redesign: From “Survive” to “Thrive” for People with Chronic Pain
Allie Schmeising
Building Resilience: OT’s Role in Addressing the Unique Needs of Breast Cancer Survivors
Natasha Strickland
The Business Side of OT: Researching, Planning, and Marketing in the OS Synposium
Brianne Tabios
“Doing” Global Education: Internationalized Learning for Domestic & International Students
Reena Takamura
The Pursuit of Health and Happiness: Wellness and Lifestyle Balance with College Students
Ashley Tarango
Actively Living, While Actively Dying: Occupational Therapy in Pediatric Palliative Care
Teresa Teng
Forming Healthy Habits: Appraising the Efficacy of a Lifestyle Redesign-Informed OT Program
Sonia Trejo
An Identity Re.F.R.A.M.E.‘d: A Journey of discovery, development, and empowerment
Alison O’Ja Ulie
Unleashing Abilities: The Role of Occupational Therapists as Facility Dog Handlers
Alison Vogelsang
Meet Me in the Garden: Inclusive and Accessible Programing Within Cultural Institutions
Katherine Wolf
Advocating for Occupational Therapy in the Acute Care Setting
Allyson Wong
Influence of Social Determinants of Health on Students with Special Needs & School-Based OT
Phoebe Yam
The Art and Science of Practicing Animal Assisted Therapy
Bahar Youdai
The Manualization of Steppin’ Up: A Transition Program for High School Students
Elizabeth Zepeda
The Second Critical Developmental Period: Occupational Therapy’s Role in Supporting the Transition of High-Risk Adolescents into Adulthood
Alexandra Zuck
Healthcare and Housing for the Homeless: OT’s Role in Primary Care Clinic of Skid Row L.A.
2018 Projects | show
Christen Angelich
Benefits of Dog Assisted Therapy in the School-Based Setting to Support Social Skills and Participation for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Eva-Maria Anger
Experiental Learning in Occupational Therapy Education
Julia Barnes
Supporting a Sustainable Future: The Role of Western Occupational Therapy in Developing Nations
Samuel Bernier
Defining the Value of OT Services for Individuals with Stroke through Outcome Measures
Loralei Bingamon
Occupational Therapy in Community Mental Health: A Trauma Informed Approach to Substance Abuse
Melissa Bonnell
Evaluating the Use of Music and Movement as a Treatment Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Addressing Motor Dyspraxia and Social Skills
Erwin Borja
Occupational Therapy at Los Angeles City College: Promoting Academic Success and Student Wellness at the Community College Setting
Amy Brown
Fighting with a Backbone: Demonstrating the Role and Value of Occupational Therapy in the Care of Individuals with Spinal Conditions
Zipporah Brown
Acting Out: Implementing a Theatre-based Intervention Within a Community Mental Health Setting
Alyssa Cantal
Create Your Vision: A Community-based Art’s Program in Elementary School Classrooms
Heng Chang
Therapy for China: Caregiver-Centered Pediatrics from Clinics to Orphanages
Vivian Chang
Occupational Therapy in Acute Oncology: Improving Patient and Caregiver Discharge Readiness After Stem Cell Transplantation
Hsuan Chen
Supporting International Students from an Occupational Therapy Perspective
Jessica Choi
The Guide to Thrive: Paving the Path for Primary Care Occupational Therapy at Kaiser Permanente
Connie Chu
Examining the Therapeutic Impact of Multisensory Environments on Client Outcomes
Laura Clark
Implementing Occupational Therapy Program in an Acute Care Veterans Hospital Setting
Laura Cox
Finding the Flow: Gaining Traction in Primary Care
Ronald Dallatorre
The Eight Dimensions of Wellness: An Improv-based Intervention for Adults with Mental and Substance Use Disorder
Andrew Daniels
Balancing Act: Developing Clinical Knowledge and Skills in Inpatient Rehab and Acute Care
Laura Ferrari
Forensic Occupational Therapy: Providing Services for Adults with Psychiatric Disabilities and Criminal Justice Involvement
Vanessa Fong
Minding the Gaps: A Comprehensive Rehabilitation Experience
Kimberly Goldstein
Mental Health Matters: Education, Experience, and Engagement in an Interdisciplinary Pediatric Mental Health Setting
Alyssa Guerrero
PromOTing Active Play in Primary Care
Juliana Gutierrez
Becoming an Instructor in Sensory Integration
Kristina Han
Moving Up and Moving Forward: The Development of a Smartphone App to Improve Physical Activity Patterns in Older Adults
Madison Harris
Pediatric Concussion: Identifying and Developing Occupational Therapy’s Role in Treatment
Lauren Hastings
Promising Future: Tying Together Research and Early ASD Risk Novel Parent-Medicated Interventions with Clinical Practice
Katie Holstein
Promoting mental health in clients across diverse healthcare settings
Breanna Howell
Sibling Support Groups for Children with ASD: Scoping Review & Intervention Development
Hanalynn Hunt
Brain Injury Road to Recovery: Occupational Therapy’s Unique Role in Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Seung Woo Hwangbo
Building Research Evidence to Support an Increasingly Global Occupational Therapy Profession
Aileen Imai
Let’s Collaborate!: Integrating Family-Centered Care into Outpatient Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Neilufar Javidzad
Utilizing Occupational Therapy to Address the Fine Motor Needs of Preschool Students
Kelcie Kadowaki
Increasing the Visibility and Accessibility of Occupational Therapy Services for the College Student Population: A Consultative Model for Primary Care Settings
Charlotte Killick
Occupational Therapy Dosage (OTD) in Acute Trauma
Hee Kyung Kim
Developing the First Multifaceted Primary Care Intervention for Adults with ASD
Maggie King
Addressing Uncontrolled Diabetes in Primary Care: A Lifestyle Redesign Occupational Therapy Approach
Katherine Ko
Moving Forward: Occupational Therapy throughout the Continuum of Neurological Rehabilitation
Evelyn Law
Enhancing Oral Care for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Catherine Lawson
Empowering Families and Caregivers: The Unique Role of Occupational Therapy in the High Risk Infant Follow-up Clinic
Dayna Lee
The Road to a WFOT-Approved Master’s Degree OT Program in China: The Chan Division and Peking University Health Science Center Collaboration
Linda Liang
Mentoring Matters
Natalie Loera
Supporting the Whole Child: Addressing Mental Health in the Public School Setting
Lauren Lopez
De-Mystifying Political Advocacy: Understanding a Practitioner’s Role in Political Advocacy
Daniel Luo
Getting a Grip on Rock Climbing Injuries
Amy Luu
Play for All: Enhancing Occupational Participation for Youth with Physical Disabilities Through Adaptive Sports
Riley Mangan
Occupational Therapy Across the Continuum of Care: Meeting the Complex Needs of Liver Transplant Recipients
Shannon McDowell
Fighting On: Improving Developmental and Quality for Survivors of Childhood Cancer
Kelsey Meinen
“New Field on the Block”: Implementign Occupational Therapy Services in an Intensive Outpatient Program for Veterans Experiencing Substance Use Disorders
Laurelle Montagne
From Policy to Practice: Occupational Therapy and Minority Populations in California
Stephanie Moon
Occupational Therapy and Integrated Behavioral Health in Homeless Healthcare
Hanlon Newhall
A Walk in the Park: Increasing Functional Independence and Quality for Life for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease Through Lifestyle Redesign Occupational Therapy Intervention
Naoya Nick Ogura
Exploring the Role of Occupational Therapy in Lifestyle Redesign Interventions for Diabetes Prevention
Kaitlin O’Hara
Supporting the Self-Management, Academic, and Social Needs of College Students with Chronic Conditions
Kelsey Peterson
The Walking Wounded: Challenging the Neuro Intact Paradigm
Fiona Purdon
Exploring Implementation through the Assessment of Functional Cognition in Inpatient Neurorehabilitation
Ken Radomski
OT for Everyone: Why Occupational Therapy is Needed on Every College Campus
Jennifer Salomon
Empowering Families: Occupational Therapy in Pediatric Mental Health
Christina Shin
Surviving Survivorship: Expanding Occupational Therapy’s Role Across the Multidisciplinary Continuum of Care for Patients with Breast Cancer
Winnie Soenaryo
Creating a New Future in Indonesia’s Education System
Annie Ting
Musicians and Hypermobility: Enhancing Care within Hand Rehabilitation
Cecilia Tran
Occupational Therapy at a Federally Qualified Health Center: Empowering Underserved Communities in Primary Care
Sharon Vincuilla
Painted Brain Occupational Therapy: Supporting Individuals with Serious Mental Illness in Realizing Their Full Potential
Melissa Yeung
Caregiver Training for Families and Patients with Neurological Based Diagnoses in Inpatient Acute and Acute Rehabilitation Settings
Erin Yoder
Fleshing out the Complexities of Telehealth for School-based Occupational Therapy
Cristin Zeisler
The Business of Research: Delivering Meaningful and Personal Outcomes
2017 Projects | show
Samar Aljishi
Developing Leadership as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Taraneh Aminian
Journey of Becoming a Sensory Integration Pediatric Therapist: Combining Clinical Expertise and Evidence-Based Practice
Eun Bae
A Sociocultural Linguistic Approach to Pain Assessment for Korean-American Older Adults
Bianca Doherty
Lessons in Advocacy: Clinician, Leader, International Student Mentor
Abeer Khan
Training and Career Planning for the Entry-Level Occupational Therapist in the NICU
Gabriela Galaz Lacoa
Becoming an Expert Clinician: Merging Research and Clinical Experience
Samantha Leavitt
Community Integration Following Incarceration or Inpatient Hospitalization: An Opportunity for Occupational Therapy
Marisa Marchioni
Thriving: Reflections on Growth, Quality, and Worker Wellness
Carolyn Meyer
Transitional Life Skill Development for Adolescents in Special Education
Shari Poindexter
Occupational Therapist’s Role in Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Our Holistic Approach
Emily Schulze
(Un)Limited Potential: Expanding the Spectrum of Opportunities in the Community
Tania Sharmin
Children Living with a History of Sensory Processing Disorder and Trauma
Carey Sokol
An Innovative Approach to Fieldwork in a Role Emerging Setting: A Collaboration between Two Occupational Therapy Programs in Response to the Fieldwork Shortage
Heidi TenPas
Neurodiversity in Trauma Stewardship: Occupational Therapist as Disability Specialist in Mental Health Practice
Kellyn Trummer
Making Connections: The Practice of Occupational Therapy Across the Continuum of Care for Patients with Neurological Conditions
Brian Van der Wyck
Getting a Grip: From Hands to Handwriting
Arielle Villanueva
An Occupational Therapy Approach to Supporting an International Community
Brian Wylie
Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Health and Wellbeing Program in a Nonprofit Setting
Ruiying Xu
Developing Leadership Skills as an Occupational Therapy Pioneer in China
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