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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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Valentina Vera Carrasquero OTD ’20

Valentina Vera Carrasquero OTD ’20

Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
Program: Post-Professional OTD, Class of 2020

Leadership Concentration: Clinical Research

What brought you to occupational therapy?
My mom is a speech therapist and she has worked with children with autism for as long as I can remember. When it was time for me to figure out what I wanted to study, the decision came easy to me, I wanted to be just like her! She took me to her clinic and as soon as I saw an occupational therapist working I knew that was what I wanted to do.

Where are you located for your residency and what services are provided there?
I’m doing my residency at Dr. Baranek’s Insp!re Lab. We have several research projects related to early risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

What do you hope to learn from this year?
I hope to step outside of my comfort zone, learn about research and keep growing as a person and as a professional.

If you could give any words of advice for incoming Master’s students, what would they be?
It will all be worth it! I know that at times it will seem as it is impossible, but when you look back it is amazing to see how you’ve grown and become better as time passes.