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Trainees

Cohort I Class of 2025

Faculty Trainees

Angela Renee Caldwell PhD, OTR/L, CLT 
she/her/hers 
Occupational Therapy 
arl78@pitt.edu

Angela Caldwell is an occupational therapist and assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Her primary area of expertise is in pediatrics and developing family-centered, health-promotion interventions for children with developmental delays and disabilities. She is passionate about collaborating with community members to implement strategies to reduce health disparities and improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities across the lifespan.
 

Catherine E. Lang PT, PhD
she/her
Physical Therapy 
langc@wustl.edu

Dr. Lang's research efforts are targeted toward the development of effective and efficient, individualized rehabilitation for people with stroke and other neurological conditions. The interdisciplinary, interactive laboratory environment promotes collaborations within and outside the lab with engineers, scientists, and clinicians, resulting in a productive research program. Her accomplishments have earned her the title of fellow for both the American Society for NeuroRehabilitaiton (ASNR) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Steven Z. George PT, PhD, FAPTA
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Duke Clinical Research Institute
steven.george@duke.edu

Steven Z. George PT, PhD, FAPTA completed his physical therapy training at West Virginia University and worked clinically at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center/Centers for Rehab Services. He completed his research training at the University of Pittsburgh and continued onto a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Florida. Dr. George is the Laszlo Ormandy Distinguished Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University. Dr. George’s primary research involves using biopsychosocial models for the prediction and prevention of transition to chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders.

Susan Magasi PhD
she/her/hers
University of Illinois Chicago, Department of Occupational Therapy
smagas1@uic.edu

Dr. Susan Magasi has over a decade of continuously funded community-based participatory research aimed at the promotion healthcare, cancer care, and participation equity for people with physical disabilities. Specially, she has focused on the development and evaluation of one-on-one and mHealth-enabled per support and self-management interventions. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of rehabilitation and disability equity scholars. 

Stacey Dusing PT, PhD, FAPTA, and Board Certified in Pediatric Physical Therapy 
she/her
Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California 
stacey.dusing@pt.usc.edu
 

Dr. Stacey Dusing is the Sykes Family Chair of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Health and Development, Tenured Associate Professor, and Director of Pediatric Research in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California where she also directs the Motor Development Laboratory. She is a board-certified pediatric physical therapy specialist and a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association with over 25 years of clinical and research experience working with infants and children. Her research focuses on postural control, reaching, early exploration and interventions to advance development in infants with or at high risk of having developmental disabilities. Equity in policy, health service, and diverse stakeholder engagement is integrated throughout her research, advocacy, and clinical implementation of interventions. Dr. Dusing is recognized around the world as a leader in the development of evidence-based neonatal rehabilitation leading to collaborations in Australia, Brazil, Bhutan, and Norway. These collaborations support her mission to improving practice through innovative and evidence-based care in various health care environment.

Dr. Dusing’s research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, The US Department of Education, AD Williams Foundation, American Physical Therapy Association, Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, and USC Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

Student Trainees

Kassina S. Kim-Hayes B.S.
she/her
Physical Therapy 
kassina.kim-hayes@ucsf.edu

Kassina is a 3rd year doctor of physical therapy student and University of California San Francisco/San Francisco State University. She graduated from Macalester College with a bachelors in neuroscience studies with an emphasis in biology. She has previously participated in Research Experience for Undergraduate programs at San Jose State University, University of Oregon and UC Berkeley wherein she ran NSF-funded summer research projects. 

Heather Ross B.S.
she/her
Physical Therapy 
hnr8@pitt.edu

Heather Ross earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh and has returned to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Throughout her academic career, she sought out  research assistant opportunities with a focus on PT and healthcare disparities. She has also worked as an aide at a minority owned PT clinic where she saw the importance of diversity in healthcare. Her goal is to assist in diversifying healthcare spaces and aide in creating an equitable environment for all. 

Ocean Jerriel Bolocon B.S. 
she/her/hers 
Occupational Therapy 
o.bolocon@ufl.edu

Ocean Bolocon is a first-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) student from the University of Florida. She was born in Manila, Philippines and lived there until her family immigrated to the United States when she was four years old. She is interested in understanding the impact that culture and social determinants of health can have on occupational participation. Outside of school, Ocean enjoys being outdoors, spending quality time with loved ones, and attending concerts. 

Kayla R. Bell B.S. 
Physical Therapy  
kayla.bell@wustl.edu

Kayla Bell is a DPT student in the program of Physical Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis. She received her bachelor's from the College of Health Sciences at the University of Kentucky in 2021. Her research experience includes a year-long clinical research fellowship in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at the University of Kentucky with a focus in orthopaedic trauma. 

Shanice Hamilton B.S. 
she/her 
Occupational Therapy
shaniceh@bu.edu

Shanice grew up in Jamaica and graduated from New York University with a B.S. in Applied Psychology. She is passionate about serving others and has been involved in advocacy and research initiatives. Shanice chose occupational therapy because of its focus on creativity and client-centered collaboration and enrolled at Boston University in Fall 2021. She hopes to continue growing personally and finding opportunities to positively impact others through her work and services to the community. 

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