Chan in the Media
Research
2024
‘How do we build community?’ Western prof studies sites of social connection ⟩
Megan Stacey, in
Western University (Canada) News | February 1, 2024
Western University's (Canada) Debbie Laliberte Rudman and USC Chan's Beccy Aldrich, professor of clinical occupational therapy, study “third places” — environments outside of home and work — and what they mean to those with unstable employment.
Community and Partners
Faculty
Health and Wellness
Research
2023
AI could help in the early diagnosis of autism, USC study finds ⟩
Leigh Hopper, in
USC Today | December 20, 2023
Results indicate an “easy and novel” way to detect autism spectrum disorders, paving the way for tailored therapeutic approaches.
Artificial Intelligence
Autism
Research
Technology
Easing sensory sensitivities in the clinic: Q&A with Leah Stein Duker ⟩
Calli McMurray, in
Spectrum | June 30, 2023
Spectrum spoke with Leah Stein Duker — lead author of a new study published in JAMA Network Open earlier this month — about how simple modifications to the sensory environment can make health care experiences less fraught for autistic children with sensory sensitivities.
Autism
Faculty
Research
Preterm Infant Feeding with Bobbi Pineda, Carolyn Ibrahim, & Molly Grabill ⟩
AJOT Authors & Issues, in
YouTube | June 17, 2023
This session of AJOT Authors & Issues features guests Dr. Bobbi Pineda, Carolyn Ibrahim, & Molly Grabill. In this session we discuss their article entitled "The Prevalence of Early Feeding Alterations in Preterm Infants and their Relationship to Early Neurobehavior" published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy Volume 77, Issue 3.
Faculty
Lectures and Talks
Research
Skin-to-skin contact significantly reduces death rates for premature babies ⟩
Sabrina Malhi, in
The Washington Post | June 7, 2023
Associate Professor Bobbi Pineda comments on a new BMJ Global Health article showing that early implementation of a type of skin-to-skin contact called kangaroo mother care appears to significantly improve the odds of survival for premature or low-birth-weight babies.
Clinical
Faculty
Health and Wellness
Research
International study shows link between brain age and stroke outcomes ⟩
Sidney Taiko Sheehan, in
Keck School of Medicine of USC | April 6, 2023
A USC-led team of researchers find that brain age, a neuroimaging-based assessment of global brain health, may play a role in post-stroke outcomes and could potentially help identify people at risk for poorer outcomes.
Chan in the Media
Faculty
Research
Technology
The Nature of Dangerous Construction Work is Radically Changing ⟩
Matilda Bathurst, in
USC Viterbi School of Engineering | March 13, 2023
A new study spearheaded by the USC Sonny Astani Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering shows how on-site construction can go remote.
Community and Partners
Faculty
Research
Technology
NSF Grant to Make Coding More Accessible for Persons with Physical Disabilities ⟩
Caitlin Dawson, in
USC Viterbi School of Engineering News | February 9, 2023
A USC-led multidisciplinary team, including Associate Professor Sook-Lei Liew, aims to create inclusive coding technology for persons with physical disabilities.
Community and Partners
Faculty
Research
Technology
2022
Are brain implants the future of computing? ⟩
The Economist, in
YouTube | December 15, 2022
Imagine brain implants that let you control devices by thought alone — or let computers read your mind. It’s early days, but research into this technology — including that of Associate Professor Sook-Lei Liew — is well under way.
Research
Technology
Building TRUST and Sharing Expertise: Stakeholders Working Together Conference Will Take Place on November 4 & 5, 2022 with vFairs as Technology Partner ⟩
Syeda Hamna Hassan, in
vfairs.com | November 1, 2022
The University of Southern California Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy will host the Building TRUST and Sharing Expertise: Stakeholders Working Together Conference on the 4th & 5th of November, 2022. The conference will bring together autistic self-advocates, families and caregivers, researchers, and clinicians to discuss the importance of stakeholder engagement in autism research and sensory processing. The virtual event is free to attend, and anyone who is interested in learning more about sensory processing, autism and stakeholder engagement can register here.
Autism
Community and Partners
Conferences
Events
Research
Sensory Processing in Infants: A Conversation with Dr. Grace Baranek ⟩
The Real Spectrum | August 9, 2022
Q&A with Associate Dean and Chair Dr. Grace Baranek and The Real Spectrum, a blog written from the sibling’s perspective on the autistic brain.
Autism
Faculty
Research
Major expansion of open-source neuroimaging data set to boost stroke recovery research ⟩
Sidney Taiko Sheehan, in
Keck School News | June 27, 2022
A USC-led team of researchers releases expanded data set of brain scans from stroke patients with more than four times the data in the hopes of speeding up large-scale stroke recovery research.
Community and Partners
Faculty
Research
Technology
Possible new ASD screening method found ⟩
Angie Mendoza, in
Daily Trojan | March 30, 2022
The Daily Trojan recaps the Mar. 2 article published in Child Development by the insp!re lab research team led by Grace Baranek and John Sideris.
Autism
Faculty
Research
Students
2021
A Safe Space in the Dental Clinic ⟩
NIDCR Science News | March 23, 2021
Multidisciplinary teams create soothing dental environments for children with autism.
Autism
Research
2020
Survey reveals all the ways remote work is ruining the health of Americans ⟩
John Anderer, in
The Ladders | December 10, 2020
A new survey, co-conducted by USC Chan Professor Shawn Roll, of nearly 1,000 people reports more than 64 percent of working Americans have developed new physical health problems while working from home during the pandemic, and nearly 75 percent are dealing with at least one new mental health issue.
Health and Wellness
Pandemic
Research
2019
USC Study Shows Occupational Therapy Helps Diabetes Patients Make Lifestyle Changes that Can Prevent Serious Health Complications ⟩
Paul Karon, in
Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute | November 8, 2019
The pilot study is the first to be completed under a novel academic-government collaboration between the SC CTSI, the UCLA CTSI, and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
Associations and Bodies
Community and Partners
Faculty
Lifestyle Redesign
Research
Optimism could lead to a healthier heart ⟩
Luke Scorziell, Paloma Chavez, Vincent Leo, and Awo Jama, in
USC Annenberg Media | October 1, 2019
Chantelle Rice Collins comments on an analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association which found optimism to be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events.
Health and Wellness
Research
Is there a link between gut bacteria and autism? A first-of-its-kind study investigates ⟩
Mike McNulty, in
USC Today | May 2, 2019
Backed by a Department of Defense grant, USC and UCLA researchers will explore gastrointestinal bacteria’s potential role in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Autism
Awards
Community and Partners
Research
How intelligent workstations will use AI to improve health and happiness ⟩
Jamie Wetherbe, in
USC Today | April 25, 2019
Do you want to be warm or cold? Is it time to stand rather than sit? An interdisciplinary team — made up of designers and USC professors — is using AI to create tech-savvy desks with health and well-being in mind.
Artificial Intelligence
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Community and Partners
Health and Wellness
Research
Technology
2018
Group Helps Get Kids With Autism Get Through Dental Visits ⟩
KCBS2-TV/KCAL9-TV | June 8, 2018
Research study changes exam room to be more friendly for children on autism spectrum
Autism
Health and Wellness
Research
How Virtual Avatars Help Stroke Patients Improve Motor Function ⟩
S. C. Stuart, in
PCMag.com | March 8, 2018
At USC, Dr. Sook-Lei Liew is testing whether watching a virtual avatar that moves in response to brain commands can activate portions of the brain damaged by stroke
Faculty
Research
Technology
Shared database of brain images aims to boost stroke patients’ recovery ⟩
Zara Greenbaum, in
USC Today | February 21, 2018
Brain scans from stroke patients are being downloaded by researchers around the world to predict the most efficient therapies
Associations and Bodies
Community and Partners
Research
Technology
Occupational therapy can improve health of young adults with diabetes, USC study shows ⟩
Mike McNulty, in
USC Today | February 1, 2018
Research participants who completed the program improve their quality of life and good health habits
Community and Partners
Diversity, Access, Equity
Health and Wellness
Research
2017
App will be created to increase physical activity of older adults ⟩
Maya Zaleski, in
Daily Trojan | October 27, 2017
The occupational therapy program at USC is in the process of improving the lives and health of older adults.
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Health and Wellness
Research
Technology
New smartphone app developed at USC aims to support fitness among older adults ⟩
Mike McNulty, in
USC Today | October 24, 2017
Designed to boost physical activity, the app is seen as a key step to advancing mobile health technology
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Health and Wellness
Research
Technology
VR could trick stroke victims’ brains toward recovery ⟩
Abrar Al-Heeti, in
CNET | October 15, 2017
Researchers at the University of Southern California are examining how virtual reality could promote brain plasticity and recovery
Health and Wellness
Research
Technology
REINVENT: Leveraging Virtual Reality and Neurofeedback to Help With Motor Rehabilitation ⟩
IEEE Xplore | August 16, 2017
Suffering a stroke instantly changes a life, and it’s even more challenging when complications such as motor impairment occur. Researchers with backgrounds in neural plasticity and mixed realities recently came together to develop a low-cost, virtual reality motor rehabilitation solution, and early results look promising.
Health and Wellness
Research
Technology
Occupational Therapy Helps Young Adults With Diabetes ⟩
Miriam E. Tucker, in
Medscape | June 21, 2017
An occupational therapy intervention can help improve HbA1c and improve quality of life in young adults with diabetes, new research finds.
Associations and Bodies
Faculty
Health and Wellness
Lectures and Talks
Research
Using virtual reality — and mom’s sewing machine — for stroke rehab ⟩
Katharine Gammon, in
USC Today | June 12, 2017
Sook-Lei Liew builds a prototype with a laptop, an off-the-shelf VR rig, a $9 swim cap and a brain-computer interface system
Faculty
Health and Wellness
Research
Technology
Baby Driver, Mr. Roosevelt top SXSW audience award winners ⟩
Nick Romano, in
Entertainment Weekly | March 18, 2017
Awards
Research
As The World Of VR Descends On SXSW, Here Are Six Must-See Experiences ⟩
Seth Porges, in
Forbes | March 8, 2017
Research
Technology
2016
Neuroimaging helps reveal brain-body links in autism research ⟩
Mike McNulty, in
USC Today | April 26, 2016
Researcher uses state-of-the-art techniques to assess the brain’s ability to turn sensory information into a motor response
Autism
Awards
Faculty
Research
Technology
Can virtual reality neurofeedback help stroke survivors recover? ⟩
John Hobbs, in
USC Today | February 1, 2016
USC researcher Sook-Lei Liew receives American Heart Association Innovative Research Grant to find out
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Faculty
Health and Wellness
Research
Technology
Can pictures prevent carpal tunnel syndrome? ⟩
Breanne Grady, in
USC Today | January 21, 2016
Using sonographic imaging, a USC professor seeks to detect the earliest signs of the disorder
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Faculty
Health and Wellness
Research
Technology
2015
Beth Pyatak Is A Type 1 Diabetes Researcher, D-Wife And New D-Mom… ⟩
Arden's Day and The Juicebox Podcast | September 29, 2015
Beth Pyatak has perspective times three. She is a diabetes researcher, married to a man who has type 1 and the mother of a little boy who was recently diagnosed.
Faculty
Health and Wellness
Podcasts
Research
National Safety Month calls for an ounce of prevention ⟩
Mike McNulty, in
USC News | June 25, 2015
USC gerontologist recommends easy fixes that can increase in-home safety.
Events
Health and Wellness
Research
Can researchers enhance the dental experience for children with autism? ⟩
Mike McNulty, in
USC News | June 15, 2015
Record-setting grant will help USC division study sensory stimuli that lessen a child’s anxiety during oral care
Associations and Bodies
Autism
Awards
Research
2014
Self-care among Latinos with diabetes studied ⟩
Paul Karon, in
USC Today | September 11, 2014
Elizabeth Pyatak seeks ways to make health an everyday habit for teens and young adults
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Community and Partners
Health and Wellness
Research
Children with autism dread the dentist, but USC research may help ⟩
Rob Russow, in
USC Today | April 25, 2014
Sharon Cermak wants to make the experience more kid-friendly
Autism
Health and Wellness
Research
2013
Keep your friends close, but . . . ⟩
Robert Perkins, in
USC Today | October 16, 2013
Counterintuitive findings from a new USC study show that the part of the brain that is associated with empathizing with the pain of others is activated more strongly by watching the suffering of hateful people as opposed to likable people.
Research
USC study charts exercise for stroke patients’ brains ⟩
Robert Perkins, in
USC Today | June 11, 2013
A new study has found that stroke patients’ brains show strong cortical motor activity when observing others performing physical tasks — a finding that offers new insight into stroke rehabilitation.
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Health and Wellness
Research
Learn to be more understanding by watching The Bachelor (this season, anyway) ⟩
Robert Perkins, in
USC News | January 23, 2013
A new USC study has found evidence suggesting that the brain works hard to understand those who have different bodies when watching them in action.
Associations and Bodies
Research
2012
Do you like me now? ⟩
Suzanne Wu, in
USC Today | October 5, 2012
Whether you like someone can affect how your brain processes their actions, according to new research from the Brain and Creativity Institute at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Research
USC-led study analyzes fall rates among short-stay nursing home patients ⟩
Mike McNulty, in
USC News | May 31, 2012
One in five short-stay nursing home patients sustains a fall after their admission, and certified nursing assistant (CNA) staffing is associated with decreased fall risk, according to a study led by USC researcher Natalie Leland.
Health and Wellness
Research
Scientists search for source of creativity ⟩
Robert Perkins, in
USC Today | March 5, 2012
USC researchers are working to pin down the exact source of creativity in the brain and have found that the left hemisphere of your brain, thought to be the logic and math portion, actually plays a critical role in creative thinking.
Faculty
Research
Professional Help: 5 Tips for Senior Citizens on Simple, Healthy Living ⟩
Hans Villarica, in
The Atlantic | February 10, 2012
When it comes to their well-being, older adults shouldn't act like victims to aging. They should be active — physically, socially, and spiritually.
Health and Wellness
Research
2011
Five Scholars Join Faculty at Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy ⟩
Alix Sleight, in
USC News | October 19, 2011
The USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy has appointed five new members to junior tenure-track faculty positions, bolstering its profile both in occupational science research and in occupational therapy clinical evidence expertise.
Clinical
Faculty
Research
Grant Awarded to Study Dental Environments ⟩
Vivian Tang, in
USC News | October 12, 2011
A two-year grant of $531,376 has been awarded to the USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Associations and Bodies
Autism
Awards
Research
Strategies to Help Manage Diabetes ⟩
Robert Perkins, in
USC News | July 25, 2011
A scientist at USC is filling a critical gap in knowledge and care by developing strategies for coping with diabetes that are targeted specifically at young adults.
Clinical
Health and Wellness
Research
USC Researchers Explore the Source of Empathy in the Brain ⟩
Robert Perkins, in
USC News | July 18, 2011
According to a new study from USC, even failing to possess a full complement of limbs will not stop your brain from understanding what it is like for someone else to experience pain in one of them. It may, however, change the way your brain does so.
Faculty
Research
Active Life Helps Prevent Health Decline in Seniors ⟩
Robert Perkins, in
USC News | June 8, 2011
Small, healthy lifestyle changes and involvement in meaningful activities — going beyond just diet and exercise — are critical to healthy aging, according to a new USC study.
Health and Wellness
Research
Picture Your Relationship to the Boss ⟩
Suzanne Wu, in
USC News | February 16, 2011
A study in PLoS ONE by researchers from the Brain and Creativity Institute at USC and Peking University in Beijing examines how white Americans and Chinese people in China respond to pictures of their boss, suggesting cultural differences in our responses to authority figures.
Community and Partners
International
Research
2010
Brain Finds Gestures Not So Familiar ⟩
Carl Marziali, in
USC News | September 29, 2010
New research suggests that the brain uses deliberate thought to respond even to familiar gestures.
Community and Partners
International
Research
No Rest for the Narcissist ⟩
Carl Marziali, in
USC News | September 17, 2010
Narcissists spend their resting time deep in thought, a new imaging study shows, though such reflection likely revolves entirely around the thinker.
Health and Wellness
Research
Sing-Song Speakers and Measures of Empathy ⟩
Allison Bond, in
USC News | August 11, 2010
Unless you’re a robot, your speech has a musical quality to it. This pitch-and-rhythm variation, known as prosody, conveys emotion. A new study suggests that people whose speech is most sing-songy may have a stronger ability to empathize with others.
Research
2008
USC study analyzes use of therapy dogs for rehabilitation of autistic patients ⟩
Beth Newcomb, in
USC News | July 11, 2008
Solomon, research assistant professor in USC’s Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, is investigating the social benefits of therapy animals for autistic children.
Autism
Awards
Health and Wellness
Research
2006
To the brain, words speak as loud as actions ⟩
Carl Marziali, in
USC News | October 6, 2006
Neuroscience is tackling a problem that obsessed Hamlet: What is the difference in our minds between talk and action?
Community and Partners
International
Research
2005
NIH awards $2.5 million for health-care study of ethnic minorities ⟩
Kathleen O'Neil, in
USC News | October 21, 2005
Two USC occupational therapy researchers have been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how minority patients can improve the care they receive from doctors.
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Clinical
Health and Wellness
Research
2004
Elder Research Gets $2.2 Million Grant ⟩
USC News | October 15, 2004
The National Institute on Aging has awarded USC occupational therapy researchers a four-year, $2.2 million grant to expand on their successful Well Elderly program.
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Health and Wellness
Lifestyle Redesign
Research
Program to delay age-related health deficits receives $2.2 million grant ⟩
Alicia Di Rado, in
USC News | October 8, 2004
The National Institute on Aging has awarded USC occupational therapy researchers a four-year, $2.2 million grant to expand on their successful Well Elderly program.
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Health and Wellness
Lifestyle Redesign
Research
2002
Occupational therapy study shows effectiveness of lifestyle redesign for seniors ⟩
Alexis Bergen, in
USC News | September 13, 2002
Lifestyle redesign by an occupational therapist is a cost-effective health care intervention for independent-living senior citizens, according to a USC study published this month in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Health and Wellness
Lifestyle Redesign
Research
2001
Occupational science researchers examine management of pressure sores ⟩
USC News | September 21, 2001
Researchers from USC and Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center recently published an article in Advances in Skin and Wound Care examining the management of life-threatening pressure ulcers in people with spinal cord injury and the serious ethical considerations of their treatment.
Clinical
Community and Partners
Health and Wellness
Research
Occupational Therapy May Offer Lasting Benefits to Seniors ⟩
Alicia Di Rado, in
USC News | February 19, 2001
Occupational therapy can help senior citizens stay healthy and live independently, with lasting results even six months after seniors work with a therapist, according to a USC study.
Health and Wellness
Research
Lifestyle ‘Redesign’ Keeps the Elderly Healthy ⟩
Reuters, in
The New York Times | February 8, 2001
Helping the elderly make healthy changes in their daily lives may improve their well-being and keep them living independently, new research shows.
Health and Wellness
Lifestyle Redesign
Research
Occupational therapy appears to offer lasting benefits to seniors ⟩
Alicia Di Rado, in
USC News | January 26, 2001
Occupational therapy can help senior citizens stay healthy and live independently, with lasting results even six months after seniors work with a therapist, according to a USC study.
Health and Wellness
Research
1997
Occupational Therapy Helps ‘Well Elderly’ ⟩
Eva Anderson, in
USC News | October 27, 1997
Occupational therapy (OT) can make a significant difference in helping seniors to experience healthier, more independent and satisfying lives, according to a recent study by researchers on the Health Sciences Campus.
Health and Wellness
Research
Study shows big benefits from OT ⟩
Eva Emerson, in
USC News | October 24, 1997
Occupational therapy (OT) can make a significant difference in helping seniors experience healthier, more independent and satisfying lives, according to a recent study by researchers on the Health Sciences Campus.
Health and Wellness
Research
1994
OT Wins Major Grant to Study Wellness in Elderly ⟩
Michael Byrne, in
USC News | June 27, 1994
The Department of Occupational Therapy has been awarded a $1 million federal grant to study the effectiveness of occupational therapy as a means of enhancing health and well-being and maintaining independence among elderly people.
Associations and Bodies
Awards
Health and Wellness
Research
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