Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
- Home
- What is OT?
- Admissions
- Fieldwork Education
- OTD Program Mission & Philosophy
- Course Delivery Model
- Purposeful Living: The Role of Occupational Therapy
- Accreditation
- Partnering Universities
- Continuing Education
Contact Us
2026 scholarly project and capstone presentations
2026 scholarly projectÌýandÌýcapstone presentationsÌýforÌýtheÌýdegreeÌýofÌýoccupational therapy doctorate
ÒùÆÞÉç Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) students presented their final projects in partial fulfillment of their doctoral degrees, Tuesday, April 28 through Thursday, April 30 2026.Ìý
For questions, please contactÌýalexia.metz@utoledo.edu
Scholarly project presentations
Class of 2026
Alyana Bollinger
Perceptions of the Effects of Exercise on Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Project Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Peyton Bloomer
The Effects of Positional Support on Tolerance of Tummy Time for Infants with Down Syndrome: Protocol Development and Pilot
Project Advisor: Alexia E. Metz, PhD, OTR/L
Ìý
Alyssa Daugherty, Anne Holland, Lydia Manes, and Aubrey Nemire
Occupational Therapy Student Experiences with Logbooks in Fieldwork Education
Project Advisor: Sarah Long, PhD, AT, ATC
Ìý
Jacob Forget
IDD & Transition to Adulthood: Post-Secondary Education Needs, Family Perceptions, and the Role of Occupational Therapy
Project Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Alivia McGannon and Natalie Roth
Establishing and Applying the EMAS-LF (SM) Meaning in Social Media Use and Its Link to Academic Confidence
Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Brooke Miller and Dakota Pohlman
Population Based Practice: OTAs Understanding and Perceptions
Project Advisor: Nicole Stotz, PhD, OTR/L
Ìý
Sierra Parsons
Direct Service Providers' (DSPs) Perspectives on Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs) Transitioning into Adulthood
Project Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Alexis Uplinger and Miranda Walker
The Effect on the Number of Toys in a Child’s Environment on Quality of Play and the Perspective of Parents
Project Advisor: Alexia E. Metz, PhD, OTR/L
Ìý
Lillian Young
Perceptions of the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Experience
Project Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Class of 2027
Jayla Aimuanvbosa
How the Extent of Meaning in Social Media Engagement Differs for Those Who Feel Included Versus Excluded
Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Lena Dwidari
Overall Health Trends of Adults in the United States and Occupational Therapy’s Role in Health Promotion
Project Advisor: Nicole Stotz, PhD, OTR/L
Ìý
Taylor Ferguson
Effects of Therapeutic Community-based Boxing Programs on Non-motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Project Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Madison Friar
A Person-Environment-Occupation Approach to Addressing the Health Literacy Needs of Parents and Caregivers in Tummy Time Education
Project Advisor: Alexia E. Metz, PhD, OTR/L
Ìý
Evelyn Frueh
Supports Needed by Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to Successfully Transition into Adulthood
Project Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Nikole Goncalves
The Extent of Meaning Experienced During Social Media Engagement and Well-Being Across Genders
Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Taite Hall
The Road to Adulthood: A Look into Transition Resources and Supports
Project Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Madison Kral
Relationship of Meaning Experienced in Social Media Engagement and General Belongingness
Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Jessica Legge
Exploring the Extent of Meaning Experienced in Social Media Engagement and Belongingness Across Genders
Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Sara Neff
Connections Between Well-Being and Meaning within Social Media Engagement
Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Shayla Trimmer
Exploring the Meaning Experienced during Social Media Engagement and Depression
Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Hannah Vowell
Effects of a Community Based Boxing Program on the Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Project Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Abby Whitmore
Meaning Experienced on Social Media and Academic Confidence: A Gender Comparison
Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Ìý
Capstone experience presentations
Peyton Bloomer
Faculty Mentor: Rachel Meinert, OTD, OTR/L, ADHD-RSP
Ìý
Alayna Bollinger
Faculty Mentor: Ally Baar, OTD, OTR/L
Ìý
Alyssa Daugherty
Faculty Mentor: Maddy Schnabel, OTD, OTR/L
Ìý
Jacob Forget
Faculty Mentor: Lindsey Riegel, OTD, ORT/L, LSVT
Ìý
Anne Holland
Faculty Mentor: Lindsey Riegel, OTD, ORT/L, LSVT
Ìý
Lydia Manes
Faculty Mentor: Maddy Schnabel, OTD, OTR/L
Ìý
Alivia McGannon
Faculty Mentor: Emily Smith, OTD. OTR/L
Ìý
Brooke Miller
Faculty Mentor: Kelly Gelske, OTD, OTR/L
Ìý
Aubrey Nemire
Faculty Mentor: Kelly Gelske, OTD, OTR/L
Ìý
Sierra Parsons
Faculty Mentor: Kelly Gelske, OTD, OTR/L
Ìý
Dakota Pohlman
Faculty Mentor: Rachel Meinert, OTD, OTR/L, ADHD-RSP
Ìý
Natalie Roth
Faculty Mentor: Ashley DeVore, OTD, OTR/L, CLC
Ìý
Alyssa Stoy
Faculty Mentor: Emily Smith, OTD. OTR/L
Ìý
Alexis Uplinger
Faculty Mentor: Ashley DeVore, OTD, OTR/L, CLC
Ìý
Lillian Young
Faculty Mentor: Ally Baar, OTD, OTR/L
Ìý
Ìý