College of Health and Human Services

2026 scholarly project and capstone presentations for the degree of occupational therapy doctorate

UToledo Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) students presented their final projects in partial fulfillment of their doctoral degrees, Tuesday, April 28 through Thursday, April 30 2026. 

For questions, please contact alexia.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

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

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

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

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

Brooke Miller and Dakota Pohlman

Population Based Practice: OTAs Understanding and Perceptions

Project Advisor: Nicole Stotz, PhD, OTR/L

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

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

Lillian Young

Perceptions of the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Experience

Project Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

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

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

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

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

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

Nikole Goncalves

The Extent of Meaning Experienced During Social Media Engagement and Well-Being Across Genders

Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Taite Hall

The Road to Adulthood: A Look into Transition Resources and Supports

Project Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Madison Kral

Relationship of Meaning Experienced in Social Media Engagement and General Belongingness

Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Jessica Legge

Exploring the Extent of Meaning Experienced in Social Media Engagement and Belongingness Across Genders

Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Sara Neff

Connections Between Well-Being and Meaning within Social Media Engagement

Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Shayla Trimmer

Exploring the Meaning Experienced during Social Media Engagement and Depression

Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

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

Abby Whitmore

Meaning Experienced on Social Media and Academic Confidence: A Gender Comparison

Project Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Capstone experience presentations

Peyton Bloomer

Rapport Between Students with ADHD and Their Teachers: A Pediatric Case Study

Faculty Mentor: Rachel Meinert, OTD, OTR/L, ADHD-RSP

Alayna Bollinger

Unity in Community: Accessibility within Technology Programs (UCATP)-Program Development Plan (PDP)

Faculty Mentor: Ally Baar, OTD, OTR/L

Alyssa Daugherty

Skills for Transition and Everyday Participation (S.T.E.P.) Program:

An Occupation-Based Program for High School Students with Disabilities

Faculty Mentor: Maddy Schnabel, OTD, OTR/L

Jacob Forget

Occupational Therapy Advocacy for Juvenile Justice:

Integrating Full-Time Services and OT-Led Animal-Assisted Therapy

Faculty Mentor: Lindsey Riegel, OTD, ORT/L, LSVT

Anne Holland

An Occupation-Based Approach to Living Well with Parkinson‘s

Faculty Mentor: Lindsey Riegel, OTD, ORT/L, LSVT

Lydia Manes

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Supporting Students with

Type 1 Diabetes in Schools

Faculty Mentor: Maddy Schnabel, OTD, OTR/L

Alivia McGannon

The Recovery Blueprint: An Occupational Approach

Across the Continuum of Care at Team Recovery

Faculty Mentor: Emily Smith, OTD. OTR/L

Brooke Miller

Before and Beyond Birth: An Occupational Therapy Approach to

 Empowered Perinatal Parenting Program Modification Plan

Faculty Mentor: Kelly Gelske, OTD, OTR/L

Aubrey Nemire

Helping Minds, Helping Moms: 

A Program Modification Plan at Mini Mitten Pediatric Therapy

Faculty Mentor: Kelly Gelske, OTD, OTR/L

Sierra Parsons

Enhancing Engagement Through Meaningful Moments:

 Leisure-Based Program for Adults with IDD

Faculty Mentor: Kelly Gelske, OTD, OTR/L

Dakota Pohlman

The Daily Grind: A Life Renewal Program

Faculty Mentor: Rachel Meinert, OTD, OTR/L, ADHD-RSP

Natalie Roth

WORDS at Work: Building Language and Employment Skills through

Occupation-Based Programming

Faculty Mentor: Ashley DeVore, OTD, OTR/L, CLC

Alyssa Stoy

Toledo Without Barriers: An Advocacy Plan

Faculty Mentor: Emily Smith, OTD. OTR/L

Alexis Uplinger

Following the Trail to Kindergarten:

A Kindergarten Readiness Program within the Cleveland Metroparks Nature Preschool

Faculty Mentor: Ashley DeVore, OTD, OTR/L, CLC

Lillian Young

Role of Occupational Therapy Program in a Prosthetic Company:

Program Development Plan

Faculty Mentor: Ally Baar, OTD, OTR/L