Students Selected for Institute for Future Scientists in O.T.

Each year, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), selects 20 participants from a nationwide pool of promising entry-level occupational therapy students for the Institute for Future Scientists in Occupational Therapy.

During the first AOTA/AOTF institute, OT class of 2017 student Bryce Carsone Smith, represented the NSU Tampa Bay O.T.D. program. This year, two NSU of the selected twenty participants include entry-level O.T.D. students, Lanoris Parker­–Fort Lauderdale, and Deborah Kofsky–Tampa Bay.

First year O.T.D. student Lanoris Parker was a personal trainer prior to entering the O.T.D. program, and upon graduation with a Masters in Kinesiology, received a commission with the US Army Medical Specialty Corps as an Army Reserve Second Lieutenant. His interest is in learning about the interconnectedness of physical activity, brain science, and occupational therapy. Due to lack of resources and inadequate teaching and aware of health disparities, he is motivated to participate in occupational science and help elevate research to improve mental health and fight against the rise of mental disorders.

Deborah Kofsky, fourth year O.T.D. student, is completing her final clinical rotation and doctoral capstone experience for her OTD degree. Her academic performance is marked with grades on the top 5% of her cohort, and qualified her for scholarships, including repeat awards of the NSU Chancellor’s scholarship.  She completed the rigorous 6-sequence OTD research curriculum, capped with a podium and poster presentation and a manuscript for submission to a juried publication. In addition, she served a one-year internship with the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Rehabilitation and Disability Special Interest Section supporting initiatives for community-based activities.

The future scientists will participate during in-person sessions at the AOTA INSPIRE Annual Conference & Expo in Kansas City, Missouri, when they will be matched with leading occupational therapy scientists to address topics such as possibilities within OT science, considerations when evaluating potential doctoral programs, and career opportunities as a scientist. The facilitators and mentors of the will be composed of faculty and doctoral/post-doctoral students from established research programs around the nation.

Hopefully, both Deborah and Lanoris will achieve the purpose of the AOTA/AOTF Institute for Future Scientists, which include being part of a group of potential scientists, connecting with other potential entry-level scientists with mentors in the occupational therapy scientific community, and developing a peer scientific network.

Posted 04/23/23