Current Research Trainees

Rachel Reparon

Rachel is a combined MScOT/PhD student in the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program and Occupational Science field working with Dr. Gail Teachman and Dr. Debbie Rudman.

Research Interests / Specializations: Her research focuses on young people labeled intellectually disabled (ID) and how socio-political forces influence the occupational possibilities of young people labeled as ID.

Marisa L. Kfrerer

Marisa is a combined MScOT/PhD student in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.

Research Interests / Specializations: Her current research focus includes exploring occupational therapists' expertise around enacting humanity in practice through the use of humor, which can be an important way to develop connection and optimize the client-therapist relationship. Through this work she hopes to uncover how expanding beyond client-centered practice and into relationship-focused care, which includes authentic understanding and connection, can promote client empowerment and occupational engagement.

Meredith Dash

Meredith is in the final year of the MScOT/PhD program. She has completed the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) and is now a registered OT. Meredith is a PhD candidate in the Occupational Science stream.

Research Interests / Specializations: Her critically situated research attempts to understand broader systemic barriers to occupational engagement. Her current research focuses on fathers of autistic children and their occupational possibilities.

Alicia Dean

Alisha is a PhD student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Research Interests / Specializations: Her current research focused on exploring the experience of racism among racialized health professionals. Alisha is interested in research that invites marginalized voices to the table and opens the door for critically informed dialogue about the diverse subject position of health professionals. She believes there is value in critically examining the prevailing social forces and systemic barriers that influence the identities and occupational possibilities of people; while exposing the realities of health inequities, social inequities, and occupational injustice.

Melanie Stone

Melanie is a PhD student in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies.

Research Interests / Specializations: Her current work examines how mothers navigate work engagement and motherwork while negotiating ableism and structural violence. Melanie’s research interests include occupational justice, disability funding systems and processes, transportation justice, advocacy and accessibility work, motherwork, disability & anti-ableism advocacy/movements, employment policy, accessible qualitative research, feminist cities, anti-racism and anti-oppression work, disability theory, and disability law.