Latest Chan Division News
Faculty

New project aims to increase trust for future autism research ⟩
April 2, 2021

Autism Awards Community and Partners Diversity, Access, Equity Faculty Health and Wellness Research

Two-year project will build formal alliances that accentuate perspectives of autistic people, their family members and caregivers, service providers and researchers.

By Mike McNulty For too long, too few autistic people have had a say in how autism research is designed, developed and disseminated, and researchers have not tapped into the expertise that only autistic people and their families have. A new USC-coordinated project looks to upend that disparity by…

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USC faculty win 2021 AOTF honors ⟩
February 8, 2021

Associations and Bodies Awards Conferences Faculty

Three USC Chan faculty members have been honored with annual awards from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. Shawn Roll PhD Program Director and Associate Professor Shawn Roll was named to the AOTF Academy of Research in Occupational Therapy. Inclusion in the academy recognizes exemplary,…

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Pyatak named to NIH study section ⟩
February 1, 2021

Associations and Bodies Faculty Lifestyle Redesign Research

Associate Professor Beth Pyatak has been invited to serve as a member of the Biobehavioral Medicine and Health Outcomes Study Section of the NIH Center for Scientific Review. Her four-year term begins July 1, 2021.

Associate Professor Beth Pyatak Dr. Pyatak’s scholarship focuses on translational research in Lifestyle Redesign®, an occupational therapy intervention framework that promotes awareness of the relationship between daily activities and health, and guides individuals with chronic conditions…

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Faculty winners in AOTA elections ⟩
January 29, 2021

Alumni Associations and Bodies Faculty

USC Chan faculty members and alums Arameh Anvarizadeh ’05, MA ’06, OTD ’07 and Ashley Halle ’08, MA ’11, OTD ’12 will soon be contributing their talents to the national occupational therapy professional association, as each won their respective races for volunteer leadership positions,…

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New study shows children with autism have less activity in brain region that observes, simulates movements ⟩
January 28, 2021

Autism Faculty Research Students

Team of USC and UCLA researchers first to pinpoint reduced frontal lobe activity, helping explain some social characteristics unique to autism.

By Mike McNulty A brain region responsible for processing visual observations of others’ movements then mapping those movements upon one’s own body schema is significantly less activated in children with autism spectrum disorder, compared to typically-developing children and to children with…

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Pineda named double recipient of inaugural NBCOT awards ⟩
January 27, 2021

Alumni Associations and Bodies Awards Clinical Faculty

New award highlights the work of outstanding, certified occupational therapy practitioners.

Assistant Professor Bobbi Pineda The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy has named Assistant Professor Bobbi Pineda a recipient of both an Innovation Award and an Impact Award, two new honors designed to highlight outstanding, certified occupational therapy practitioners across…

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Three faculty members on ballot in 2021 AOTA elections ⟩
January 6, 2021

Associations and Bodies Faculty

Meet the Trojans looking to make a nationwide difference for the good of the profession.

Editor's update: According to election results released in late Jan., Anvarizadeh and Halle won election for their respective positions. Congratulations, and Fight On! USC Chan faculty members Arameh Anvarizadeh, Sarah Bream and Ashley Halle are each running for volunteer leadership positions in the…

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Celebrating unsung heroes during National Family Caregivers Month ⟩
November 25, 2020

Clinical Faculty Health and Wellness

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a nationwide observance that recognizes those who dedicate their time and effort towards caring for family members in need. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of family caregivers and praise their strength and support. Within occupational therapy, including the family in treatment provides a wealth of benefits, and families can also act as a catalyst for further healing and engagement.

Six members of the USC Chan Division — faculty members Allison Chu, Celso Delgado, Janet Gunter, Stacey Schepens Niemiec, and students Delaney Smith MA ’21 and Adam Strizich MA ’21 — discuss the importance of including families in occupational therapy.

By Calvin Lee MA ’21 Allison Chu OTD, OTR/L Chu: It’s often been said that when you get married, you’re not just marrying that person but you’re marrying their family as well. Similarly with OT, when you’re working with a client, you’re not just working with the client but you’re also…

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How to cope with a complicated winter amid COVID-19 ⟩
November 17, 2020

Chan in the Media Faculty Health and Wellness Pandemic

Days are getting shorter, the pandemic continues and the holidays may be more isolating than ever. USC experts offer advice on how to make the best of it.

By Gary Polakovic and David Medzerian / USC Today Months of being in isolation can take a toll on your psyche, especially during the holiday season. (Illustration/iStock) "Winter is coming, and it will be challenging," said Ashley Uyeshiro Simon, an associate professor of clinical occupational…

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Baranek receives alumni award from University of Illinois at Chicago ⟩
November 12, 2020

Awards Faculty

Associate Dean and Chair Grace Baranek, the 2020 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Applied Health Sciences. Associate Dean and Chair Grace Baranek was named the 2020 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award…

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