Academy of Research in OT

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A photo of our 2026 Academy of Research Nominee Kristie Patten being presented an award by our Board Chair Patti Davies on the AOTA conference stage with a purple backdrop in the background

Celebrating scholars whose groundbreaking work has advanced the scientific foundation of our profession

The Academy of Research in Occupational Therapy stands as one of AOTF’s most prestigious honors, celebrating scholars whose groundbreaking work has advanced the scientific foundation of our profession. Since its founding in 1983, the Academy has recognized leaders whose research demonstrates not only excellence but also meaningful impact on practice, education, and the lives of those we serve.

Each year, the Academy welcomes new members through a rigorous nomination and selection process. Inductees represent the finest examples of sustained scientific achievement in occupational therapy, having made exceptional contributions that expand our understanding of occupation, enhance intervention effectiveness, and strengthen the evidence base for practice. Induction ceremonies typically take place at the AOTA Annual Conference and Exposition, where we gather to honor these distinguished researchers.

2027 Nominations Due Oct. 23 2026

View Nominations Procedures

What It Means to Be an Academy Member

Academy membership recognizes more than publications or grant funding. It honors researchers who have:

  • Generated knowledge that transforms how occupational therapy practitioners understand and address human occupation
  • Mentored the next generation of scholars, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond their own work
  • Bridged the gap between research and practice, ensuring discoveries improve real-world outcomes
  • Demonstrated sustained commitment to scientific inquiry throughout their careers
  • Advanced occupational therapy’s credibility as an evidence-based profession

Members of the Academy serve as role models and thought leaders, inspiring occupational therapists worldwide to embrace research as essential to excellent practice.

A group of 4 women speaking in a panel discussion during the 2025 AOTF Academy of Research Symposium during the 2025 AOTA INSPIRE Conference & Expo.

2026 Inductee to the Academy

Kristie K. Patten, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA

Academy of Research Members

The Academy includes pioneers who shaped entire specialties, innovators who developed groundbreaking assessment tools, and investigators whose intervention research has changed countless lives. Their work spans the breadth of occupational therapy practice, from pediatrics to aging, from neurological conditions to community health, from basic science to implementation research.

Batya Engel-Yeger, PhD (2025)

Susan Magasi, PhD, MS, BScO, BSc, FACRM (2025)

Trudy Mallinson, PhD, OTR/L, FACRM, FAOTA, NZROT (2025)

Elizabeth A. Pfeiffer, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA (2025)

Ganesh M. Babulal, PhD, OTD, MSCI, MOT, OTR/L (2024)

Lindy Clemson, PhD, MAppSc (Research), BAppSc (OT), Dip OT, FOTARA (2024)

Roberta Gittens Pineda, PhD, OTR/L, CNT (2024)

Carolyn A. Unsworth, PhD, BAppSci(OccTher), GCTE, OTR, MRCOT, FOTARA (2023)

Sook-Lei Liew, PhD, OTR/L (2023)

Natalie Leland, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FGSA, University of Pittsburgh (2022)

Timothy J. Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, OTJR Editor-in-Chief, University of Missouri (2022)

Elizabeth Pyatak, PhD, OTR/L, CDCES, FAOTA, University of Southern California (2022)

Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM (2021)

Kathleen Doyle Lyons, ScD, OTR/L (2021)

Jennifer Fleming, PhD, OTR/L, FOTARA (2020)

Yael Goverover, PhD, OTR/L (2019)

Susan Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (2019)

Robert Sainburg, PhD, OTR/L (2019)

Hui-Ing Ma, ScD, OT (2019)

Timothy Reistetter, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (2019)

Ching-yi Wu, ScD, OTR (2018)

Bernadette Nedelec, PhD, BScOT(C) (2018)

Keh-chung Lin, ScD, OTR/L (2017)

Natasha A. Lannin, PhD, BSc(OT), GradDip (2017)

Jenny Ziviani, PhD, BAppSC(OT), MEd (2016)

Roseann Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (2016)

Gary Bedell, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (2016)

Jane Case-Smith, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA (2015)

Mary Jane Mulcahey, PhD, OTR/L (2015)

Naomi Josman, PhD, OT(I) (2015)

Joy Hammel, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (2014)

Elizabeth R. Skidmore, PhD, OTR/L (2014)

Deirdre Rose Dawson, PhD, OT Reg(Ont) (2014)

Sylvia Anne Rodger, BOcc Thy, MEd St, PhD (2013)

Stephen J. Page, PhD, MS, MOT, OTR/L, FAHA (2013)

Christine Helfrich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (2013)

Anita C. Bundy, ScD, OTR, FAOTA (2012)

Sherrilene Classen, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA, FAGSA (2012)

Annette Majnemer, BSc(OT), MSc, PhD (2012)

Dorothy Farrar Edwards, PhD (2012)

Susan L. Murphy, ScD, OTR/L (2011)

Suryakumar Shah, PhD, OTD, MEd, OTR, FAOTA (2011)

Johanne Desrosiers, PhD, OT(C), FCAOT (2010)

Patricia Davies, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (2010)

Roger Smith, PhD, OT, FAOTA, RESNA Fellow (2010)

Nancy Baker, ScD, MPH, OTR/L (2009)

Leeanne M. Carey, BAppSC(OT), PhD (2009)

Shula Parush, PhD, OTR (2008)

Grace T. Baranek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (2008)

Janet L. Poole, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (2008)

Joyce Engel, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (2007)

Catherine Lysack, PhD, OT(C) (2007)

Daniel Bourbonnais, PhD, OT(C) (2007)

M. Carolyn Baum, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (2006)

Susan Garber, MA, OTR, FAOTA (2006)

Patrice L. Tamar Weiss, BSc(OT), MSc, PhD (2005)

Marcia Finlayson, PhD, OT Reg(Ont), OTR (2004)

Mary C. Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L (2004)

Helen S. Cohen, EdD, OTR, FAOTA (2003)

Virgil Mathiowetz, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (2002)

Margo Holm, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, ABDA (2001)

Laura N. Gitlin, PhD (2001)

Betty R. Hasselkus, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (2000)

Craig A. Velozo, PhD, OTR (2000)

Cheryl Mattingly, PhD (1999)

Mary Lynn Schneider, PhD, OTR (1998)

Mary Law, PhD, OT(C) (1998)

Wendy J. Coster, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (1997)

Helene J. Polatajko, PhD, OT Reg(Ont), FCA (1996)

Noomi Katz, PhD, OTR (1995)

William Charles Mann, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (1994)

Erika G. Gisel, PhD, OTR, ERG (1994)

Elizabeth June Yerxa, EdD, OTR, FAOTA (1993)

G. Gordon Williamson, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (1993)

Anne G. Fisher, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA (1992)

David L. Nelson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (1991)

Jean Deitz, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (1991)

Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (1988)

Florence A. Clark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (1986)

Joan Rogers, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (1984)

Catherine Trombly Latham, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA (1984)

Linda Tickle-Degnen, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (1984)

Kenneth Ottenbacher*, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (1984)

Gary Kielhofner*, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA (1984)

Winifred Wiese Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (1983)

A. Jean Ayres*, PhD, OTR, FAOTA (1983)

Mary Reilly, EdD (1983)

*Deceased.