Faculty / Staff Resources Student Resources
University of Southern California
University of Southern California
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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Shawn C. Roll PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM

Shawn C. Roll PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM

Director of Research Training and Development; Professor

HRA 412
(323) 442-1850
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Web: chan.usc.edu/msop
Curriculum Vitae

Shawn C. Roll received his B.S. in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University, graduating magna cum laude with distinction. He continued his post-secondary education at OSU, obtaining an M.S. in Allied Health Professions with a Minor in Research Methods in Human Resources Development, and received his Ph.D. degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with an Interdisciplinary Specialization in College and University Teaching. Dr. Roll’s clinical experience is in work and industry, focusing on promoting worker health and well-being and the assessment, prevention, and rehabilitation of work-related injuries. Dr. Roll is a registered and licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L) and a registered musculoskeletal sonographer (RMSKS). He was named a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) in 2015, a Fellow of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (FAIUM) in 2019, inducted into the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Academy of Research in 2021, and received the Distinguished Sonographer Award from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine in 2024.

Research Interests

Dr. Roll has developed an interdisciplinary research career combining his clinical occupational therapy skills with specialization in musculoskeletal sonography and industrial engineering/ergonomics. Through his research, he collaborates with rehabilitation sciences; radiologic sciences; industrial, systems, and civil engineering; and orthopedics. Dr. Roll’s research strives to advance the understanding of worker health and well-being using a holistic approach. His research focus includes:

  • Investigating, measuring, and intervening to optimize interactions among environments (built, organizational, social) and occupational performance (e.g., praxis, engagement, productivity) to support the health and well-being of workers
  • Understanding how individual behaviors, physical exposures, stress, psychosocial factors, and personality traits relate to the development of musculoskeletal disorders or other work-related injuries, and how each factor mitigates or promotes successful prevention (e.g., ergonomics) and rehabilitation (e.g., hand therapy) efforts
  • Advancing the use of sonographic imaging for the evaluation, prevention, and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders with a primary focus on the upper extremities

Education

Selected Publications

Awards

In Chan News

In the Media