Current PhD Students

Marinthea Richter OTD ⟩

I am currently a PhD student in the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy working under the guidance of Dr. Bobbi Pineda. My research interest relates to the neurodevelopmental outcomes of high-risk infants and early intervention focusing on neonates. I became interested in this field during my clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist in South Africa, where I worked in pediatric acute care and outpatients at a large tertiary hospital. My current role as a PhD student is to support Dr. Pineda’s work related to the Supporting and Enhancing Neonatal Sensory Experience program (SENSE), and her research on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. My long term goal is to return to South Africa and continue with research on factors that may influence the neurodevelopmental outcomes for NICU survivors in developing countries.

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Sofronia M. Ringold BA, CCRP ⟩(she/her/hers)

I am PhD Student in the Center for the Neuroscience of Embodied Cognition at the Brain and Creativity Institute under the direction of Dr. Lisa Aziz-Zadeh. I am interested in translational research on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Neuroscience, and Sensory Processing that can be used to improve treatments, interventions, and diagnostics. Prior to beginning the PhD program in the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy I worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Division of Emergency and Transport Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

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Lily Shkhyan ⟩

My research interests encompass two distinct yet interconnected domains. I am deeply passionate about examining culture and its profound impact on individuals and studying children with access and functional needs. These two focus areas reflect my commitment to understanding and improving the lives of individuals within diverse and often marginalized populations. I aspire to contribute to a more inclusive and culturally informed world.

Culture is a multifaceted concept encompassing the beliefs, values, traditions, and practices shared by a group. I am fascinated by how culture shapes individuals’ experiences, identities, and well-being. My research in this area explores the intricate interplay between culture and various aspects of human life, including psychology, identity formation, social interactions, and mental health. I seek to unravel how cultural factors, such as ethnicity, nationality, religion, and socioeconomic background, influence cognitive processes, decision-making, and emotional well-being. I am interested in examining how individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds navigate acculturation and adaptation and how this impacts their sense of self and belonging in different cultural contexts. As a proud Armenian, I am deeply committed to researching the Armenian-American experience. This research holds immense personal and cultural significance for me as I strive to shed light on the rich history, unique challenges, and vibrant contributions of the Armenian diaspora in the United States. Through my work, I aim to explore the multifaceted dimensions of the Armenian-American identity, examining how Armenian heritage, cultural traditions, and historical narratives have shaped the lives of individuals and communities in the United States. By delving into this important aspect of Armenian history and heritage, I hope to contribute to a greater understanding of the broader immigrant experience and promote a more inclusive appreciation of American society’s diverse tapestry.

Children with access and functional needs represent a unique and often underserved population. This research interest stems from my unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of these children and their families. Access and functional needs include physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, sensory challenges, and chronic health conditions. My research in this domain focuses on understanding the unique experiences and challenges faced by children with access and functional needs. I aim to investigate the accessibility of educational, healthcare, and social services for these children and how their families and communities provide support. I am dedicated to exploring interventions and strategies to enhance these children’s quality of life, inclusion, and overall development. Incorporating an interdisciplinary approach, my research seeks to bridge the gap between culture and the experiences of children with access and functional needs. I am particularly interested in how cultural factors influence perceptions of disability, access to resources, and the development of inclusive policies and practices that can positively impact the lives of these children.

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Svitlana Stremousova MS, MBA ⟩

I am a PhD student in the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy under the mentorship of Dr. Mary Lawlor. In my present role, I am involved in supporting research projects examining the current understandings of the sensory processing difficulties of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across the lifespan and managing uncertainty in the lives of autistic children, families, and clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My long-term research interests include investigating the impact of caring for autistic children on family life, with a particular focus on caregiver engagement in their valued occupations. Prior to beginning my PhD studies, I worked in early intervention serving suburban and rural communities in central Texas. During this time, I identified a great need to research family occupations and how they influence outcomes for autistic individuals.

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Yu (Tony) Tang ⟩

My research interests focus on children’s development and the support needed for neurodivergent individuals throughout their life cycles. Some of the specific aspects of my inquiries include: What are protective (predictive) factors that can enhance the developmental outcomes of autistic children? What are the factors that can mediate the risk factors of disadvantaged autistic children? What are protective factors that can promote appropriate sexuality and self-identity development for autistic children and youth? What are factors that can foster autonomy and meaningful occupational engagement among autistic children and youth? How to create culturally attuned sensory and occupation-based assessment tools for different age groups?

I am thrilled to be a part of the insp!re lab under the supervision of Dr. Baranek and wish to discover meaningful findings through the lens of occupational science and other interdisciplinary collaborations.

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Valerie Angel Tapia ⟩(she/her/hers)

My broad research interests are focused on healthcare equity, social justice, and intervention design and implementation. I aim to understand occupational needs and barriers that are critical to providing well-informed and client-centered interventions. I believe that optimized outcomes for patients will stem from a team based care approach, which requires systematic shifts that can benefit both the provider and ultimately the patient. In Lifestyle Redesign for Chronic Conditions Lab my role is to enhance Lifestyle Redesign application at LACUSC, using practice-based research to continuously evaluate and enhance the impact occupational therapists have on patients with chronic conditions in primary care.

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Elinor “Ellie” Taylor MA, OTR ⟩

I am passionate about increasing neurodiverse representation and recognition of lived expertise in autism research. In addition to my work in the DREAmS lab, I am privileged to be a member of the Autistic Researchers Committee in the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR). I am interested in exploring the phenomenon of autistic masking and how the ableist marginalization intersects with sexism, transphobia, racism, and heterosexism for autistic populations. I hope to also eventually inform evidence-based clinical practice for autistic adults through the feedback and recommendations of diverse autistic communities and allies.

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ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE). The USC entry-level OTD degree program (cost of attendance) has been granted Candidacy Status by ACOTE. View our program’s ACOTE standards public data. 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 www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.