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Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh
I am a rehabilitation science researcher and a licensed clinical occupational therapist. At present, my primary area of research is in the development and evaluation of assistive and pervasive technology-based interventions to address health span and quality of life in neurodegenerative and caregiver populations. With a specific interest in Alzheimer’s disease and technology mediated disease management, I am working to develop interventions that can be effectively implemented with those at risk of disease development, and across each stage of the disease progression. During my doctoral studies I completed a minor in neuroscience to facilitate enhanced understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms and disease pathologies associated with neurodegenerative conditions in order to support my research goals. I have been able to develop a diverse network of collaborators that represent both clinical and engineering field expertise. I have also had the opportunity to participate in 3 programs that have afforded unique and valuable training relative to appreciating and communicating with diverse populations within, and external to, the scientific community : 1) Junior Investigator Diversity Fellow, Gerontological Society of America fellow (2018); 2) ACRM Diversity Complementary Integrative Rehabilitation Medicine R13 Workshop fellow (2021); Knowledge Translation Canada Summer Institute trainee (2021). These programs provided in-depth discussion, mentorship, and training on topics relating to my overarching career goals of designing and implementing translational research that will support the aging well in the community setting. In addition to my academic pursuits, I have also maintained active involvement in the American Congress of Rehabilitative Medicine’s Neurodegenerative Networking Group as the chair of the Alzheimer’s Disease Task Force and as the Social Media Officer. In addition, I currently sit on the board for the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America and serve as the Student Scientific Paper Competition chair.