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Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program

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

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