Research from Past IRG Grants
Alex Wong, PhD, DPhil, OT, CRC, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, 2020 AOTF IRG recipient for Feasibility of Mobile Self-Management Intervention for Mild Stroke used the AOTF IRG funding for collecting pilot data for a future R01 application and was awarded federal funding to develop and test mobile cognitive assessments for stroke rehabilitation at an NIH-funded mobile rehabilitation center (C-STAR).
Annemarie Connor, PhD, OTR/L, Florida Gulf Coast University, 2019 AOTF IRG recipient for Peer-mediated Vocational Social Skills Program for Young Adults with Autism used AOTF IRG funding to build collaborations with the Florida Gulf Coast University Occupational Therapy program, Student and Community Counseling Center, Office of Adaptive Services, Office of Career Services, and community donors to aid the long-term sustainability of her line of research.
Lauren Little, PhD, OTR/L, Rush University, 2018 AOTF IRG recipient for Bridging a Service Gap in Autism: A Hybrid Coaching Intervention secured additional funding through the Translational Research Consortium at Rush University to broaden the scope of her AOTF funded research. Due to the support from AOTF, Drs. Little and Wallisch have been recognized as experts in telehealth, and the research from this funding was used to train practitioners in best practices in telehealth.
Evan Edward Dean, PhD, OTR/L, University of Kansas, a 2017 AOTF IRG recipient for Supporting Employment through Self-Determination for Young Adults with ASD: A Feasibility Study received funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) for the next step of his project completed with AOTF funding. He stated that his NIDILRR funding is “More evidence that the IRG programs are successful in increasing funding for OT researchers!"

Mary Ellen Stoykov, PhD, OTR/L, Rush University, a 2014 IRG recipient for her study, Bilateral Priming for Upper Extremity Hemiparesis in Older Adults, created this video (click on photo) showcasing one of her success stories.
Boston University's Pi Theta Epsilon Chapter -- Omicron -- interviewed IRG recipients on their research for a webinar series.