Current PhD Students

Linah AlShaalan

Faculty Mentor: Sharon Cermak EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Research Lab: Sensory Adapted Dental Environment Lab (SADE-2)

Year of Entry: 2018

Research Interests

I am a PhD student working in the Sensory Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) lab under Dr. Sharon Cermak. The study’s main aim is to reduce stress during dental visits for children diagnosed with autism through environmental adaptations. My role in the lab includes setting up the adapted dental environment, collecting data for the study and processing data, specifically coding electrodermal activity.

As a Saudi occupational therapist, I am interested in researching policies that aim to organize and elevate occupational therapy as a profession and occupational science as a basic science. Additionally, I am particularly interested in learning about establishing clinical protocols, similar to what is being researched in the lab I am currently working in, especially since occupational therapy is in its nascence in Saudi Arabia. The SADE lab also enables me to explore my passion for environmental adaptations that aim to improve specific occupations and promote accessibility for different populations with special needs.

Education

Master of Arts (MA) in Occupational Therapy
2018 | University of Southern California

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Occupational Therapy
2015 | King Saud University

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master's degree program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE). ACOTE c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-6611 x2914, acoteonline.org

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for certification by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT can be found online at https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx.