Roberta Gittens Pineda, PhD, OTR/L, CNT, Associate Professor, Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California Los Angeles, Calif.

Dr. Roberta Pineda is a tenured Associate Professor and Director of the NICU Laboratory within the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. She is also a founder and co-chair of the Neonatal Therapy Certification Board. Dr. Pineda’s impactful research program investigates factors that support or impede the function of infants born prematurely with a long-term goal of developing strategies and interventions that can optimize neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Over the past decade, she has received $7 million in grant funding to support the development and implementation of several innovative programs, assessments, and products that have revolutionized key aspects of the NICU environment, including an evidence-based multimodal program that facilitates positive sensory exposures in the NICU, a standardized neonatal feeding outcome measure, a new bottle technology that paces the timing of food intake, and a community-based program that addresses gaps in therapy services associated with the transition from NICU to home, especially among populations with known health disparities.

Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri

Dr. Ganesh M. Babulal is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Babulal’s research interests reside in investigating the relationship between cognition and mental health and its impact on instrumental activities of daily living in healthy older adults and those with chronic neurological diseases.

Consistent with these interests, his funded research studies include (1) characterizing functional changes in older adults using biomarkers (structural and functional imaging, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma), (2) predicting a decline in performance and behavior via novel methodologies, (3) identifying reliable noncognitive behavioral markers that predict preclinical disease state, and (4) examining the relationship between mental health and cognitive functioning on brain health.

As his research evolved, its progression grew from structural and social determinants of health (SSDOH) and health disparities while addressing the translational gap. This work has scaled up to now examine how upstream SSDOH factors impact adverse health outcomes in underrepresented, minoritized groups in the United States and vulnerable populations in Low and Middle-Income Countries.

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) is thrilled to announce the opening of applications for the STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship (SMRS)!

STRIDE stands for Supporting Research Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity. This scholarship program is dedicated to fostering a more diverse and inclusive research landscape in occupational therapy by providing financial support and mentorship to underrepresented groups. The SMRS application period is now open!

Is this YOU?

• Are you an OT graduate (post-professional master's or entry-level/post-professional OTD) or a current clinician?

• Do you identify with an under-represented background, a disability, and/or come from an under-resourced background?

• Are you passionate about conducting research in occupational therapy?

Submit your application between June 14 and July 19, 2024. 

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to elevate your research career and make a significant contribution to the field of occupational therapy!

We remember and celebrate the life of Ken Ottenbacher, PhD, OTR, whose profound influence on the field of occupational therapy has touched countless lives. Dr. Ottenbacher's extraordinary dedication, vast knowledge, and passion for his work have left a legacy that will continue to inspire and guide the community for years to come.

His contributions significantly advanced the discipline, particularly in rehabilitation science and evidence-based practice. His extensive research laid a foundation for many contemporary therapeutic techniques, influencing how occupational therapy is practiced worldwide.

“Ken Ottenbacher was a dear friend and scholar whom I admired more than anyone. He was incredibly humble, generous, kind, and thoughtful. At pivotal points in my life, I sought his counsel and was proud to have recruited Ken and his family to the University of Texas Medical Branch. Ken quickly established a reputation as a respected scientist and research mentor across the entire university and in the rehabilitation sciences globally. His productivity was extraordinary, but he always found time for others and managed to balance work with other activities. I feel blessed to have shared so many rich experiences with him." - Charles Christiansen, Past AOTF CEO.

Dr. Ottenbacher's impact extended beyond his research. He was a committed mentor who nurtured the careers of countless students and young professionals. His guidance helped shape the next generation of occupational therapists, ensuring his influence would be felt for many years. As Editor-in-Chief of OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, he was dedicated to advancing the field through rigorous scholarship and dissemination of knowledge.

“Ken’s passing is a tremendous loss for the OT community. He was a preeminent scholar in our field, and his contributions to science have helped advance occupational therapy research and practice in numerous ways. His many contributions also include many trainees who have contributed to his legacy through their research and practice. We are grateful for his service to the profession, which included time serving as Editor-in-Chief of OTJR. Our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew, loved, and admired him." - Timothy J. Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, OTJR Editor-in-Chief.

Dr. Ken Ottenbacher’s exceptional contributions to occupational therapy have left an indelible mark on the field. His research insights, practical improvements, and mentorship have shaped how therapists approach patient care. Although his passing is a loss, his legacy lives on through his substantial body of work and the continued progress of his trainees. Their collective efforts will continue to enhance the lives of those served by occupational therapists worldwide.

To honor Dr. Kenneth Ottenbacher’s legacy, please visit his obituary here.