Latest Chan Division News
USC faculty featured in upcoming research symposium ⟩
July 11, 2025
Associations and Bodies Conferences Lectures and Talks
Lawlor to keynote first annual OTAC/CFOT Research Symposium on July 19.
USC Chan faculty members fill out the agenda of the first annual Research Symposium, hosted by the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) and the California Foundation for Occupational Therapy (CFOT) on July 19. The virtual event aims to build connections between clinicians and…
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Lawlor recognized with 2025 Ruth Zemke Lectureship in Occupational Science ⟩
July 10, 2025
Conferences Faculty Lectures and Talks
She becomes eighth USC-affiliated recipient of honorary lecture.
Professor Mary Lawlor Associate Chair of Research and Professor Mary Lawlor has been named the 2025 recipient of the Ruth Zemke Lectureship in Occupational Science awarded by the Society for the Study of Occupation:USA. She will deliver the honorary lecture at the society’s annual research…
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Can ChatGPT actually “see” red? New results of Google-funded study are nuanced ⟩
July 8, 2025
Artificial Intelligence Research Technology
AI can accurately generate color associations, but humans use more than just language to understand color.
By Mike McNulty ChatGPT seems to “understand” the metaphor of ‘it was a very pink party’ better than ‘the meeting made him burgundy’ (Adobe Stock illustrations) ChatGPT works by analyzing vast amounts of text, identifying patterns and synthesizing them to generate responses to users’…
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USC cancer survivorship: A multidisciplinary effort ⟩
July 7, 2025
Clinical Community and Partners
Teams of USC practitioners offer a broad range of support in areas including mental health, nutritional guidance, physical therapy, stress management and chronic pain.
By Chinyere Cindy Amobi As cancer research and breakthrough treatments help patients live longer, practitioners throughout USC’s health science schools and health system are guiding survivors from diagnosis to treatment to facing their post-care future. Through cancer survivorship programs,…
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Anvarizadeh begins term as president of the American Occupational Therapy Association ⟩
July 1, 2025
Alumni Associations and Bodies Faculty
Faculty member and alumna becomes fifth Trojan to lead the national professional association.
AOTA President Arameh Anvarizadeh (photo by Andre Niesing) Today, Arameh Anvarizadeh officially begins her term as president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), following her election to the volunteer leadership position in early 2024. The three-year presidential term runs…
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Swati Shah announced as 2025 Commencement speaker ⟩
April 22, 2025
Northern California-based entrepreneur to address Class of 2025 at the division’s May 16 Commencement ceremony.
2025 Commencement keynote speaker Swati Shah Swati Shah, director and founder of Ascend Rehab Services, a pediatric-focused rehabilitation company, will be the keynote speaker at the USC Chan Division's 2025 Commencement ceremony. Ascend Rehab Services employs more than 200 occupational therapists,…
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USC scientists find a gut-brain link that may affect behavior in children with autism ⟩
April 14, 2025
An imbalance in the microbiome disrupts neurotransmitter production and may manifest as social difficulties and repetitive behaviors.
By Leigh Hopper A new USC study suggests that gut imbalances in children with autism may create an imbalance of metabolites in the digestive system — ultimately disrupting neurotransmitter production and influencing behavioral symptoms. The research, published Monday in Nature Communications, adds…
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Can “social architecture” reverse the loneliness epidemic? ⟩
April 11, 2025
Community and Partners Faculty Students
In the heart of Hollywood, USC Chan’s Joy Agner is studying how the built and social environment can better connect people to each other through occupation.
By Mike McNulty Originally appeared in The Explorer: Journal of USC Student Research published by the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC Photo courtesy of Joy Agner Feeling lonely? You’re not alone. Recent surveys show that approximately half of adults in the United States experience…
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USC Chan ranked No. 2 in U.S. News’ 2025 rankings ⟩
April 8, 2025
Ranking reflects USC’s high reputation among nationwide peers.
The USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy is ranked the nation’s No. 2 occupational therapy educational program, according to 2025 Best Graduate Schools compiled by U.S. News & World Report. The recognition affirms USC Chan’s steadfast commitment to excellence across…
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Nine faculty and alumni to receive AOTA, AOTF awards ⟩
March 20, 2025
Alumni Associations and Bodies Awards Conferences Faculty
Nine USC faculty members and alumni will receive annual awards presented by the American Occupational Therapy Association and American Occupational Therapy Foundation during the association's annual conference, which runs from April 3–5 in Philadelphia. Leah Stein Duker Assistant Professor Leah…
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