Program Overview
Assistive technology (AT) plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with disabilities to live and participate in their communities. However, access to AT is often limited by several factors including restrictive coverage policies, shortage of AT practitioners, limited research evidence to support the benefits of AT as well as few trained interdisciplinary clinical investigators to perform research. As the number of people with disabilities continues to rise and healthcare policies drive care into the home and community, AT will become increasingly significant.
To address the evident gap in AT research, practice, and policy, Pitt is offering a post-doctoral fellowship program in Career Advancement & Training for Assistive Technology Practice, Research & Policy (CAT-PReP). The objective of CAT-PReP is to increase the number of rigorously trained rehabilitation clinicians to become competitive and scientifically productive researchers specializing in AT provision and policy for community living and participation. The CAT-PReP further aims to bridge the shortage of trained researchers in AT. This will enable the development of detailed research, enhanced evidence-based practices, and informed policies that support the effective utilization of AT in promoting community living and participation of individuals with disabilities.
- Trainee Eligibility
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The eligibility criteria for the CAT-PReP program includes:
- Have a terminal doctorate (i.e. DOT, DPT, CScD) or PhD in relevant disciplines including occupational therapy. physical therapy, speech and language pathology, audiology, and rehabilitation engineering at the time of application.
- Show evidence of expertise in the disciplines.
- Not currently be or have ever been a PI on a sizable research grant.
- Show genuine interest in AT research, clinical service, and policy.
- Plan to pursue further research as part of their career.
- Trainee Salary and Benefits
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The CAT-PReP fellows will be appointed as a postdoctoral associate at the University of Pittsburgh. The program will provide 100% salary support for two-years plus some support for travel, supplies, and professional development. Trainees will receive a stipend of $55,000/year including health insurance. The primary mentor will provide other auxiliary support such as computers and additional project-related materials. More information about benefits can be found here.
- Pre-Application
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Potential applicants are encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting with program personnel to discuss the fellowship, their goals, and verify appropriate mentors and resources are available to support these goals.
- Application Materials
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- A completed online application form found here, CAT_PReP Online Application Survey.
- A curriculum vitae.
- Academic transcripts.
- Maximum two-page essay (1,000 words) describing your AT interests, career goals, and motivation behind applying to this training program.
- Names of two references and reference letters
- Copy of clinical license, if applicable.
- Training Activities
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The central training activity is mentored interdisciplinary research under a team of experienced mentors with complementary expertise. Each trainee will have an advisory committee including a primary/research mentor, a clinical mentor specializing in an area of AT practice, a community provider mentor from partner organizations, and a methodology/statistics mentor. This team mentoring approach can expose the trainees to different experiences and points of view, strengthen their ability to work on a team, collaborate with, and support other people, improve their communication with professionals from diverse backgrounds, and expand their network. The training activities include didactic courses, AT practice rotations at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Center for Assistive Technology, mentored interdisciplinary training in an area of AT of interest, community practicum, and professional development activities. Each trainee is required to develop an individualized development plan which supports the development of the trainee’s needs and helps facilitate communication and working expectations between trainees and mentors and lay out measurable and attainable goals. It is expected that the trainees will submit a formal grant application to a federal agency or a foundation, publish at least one first-author journal paper each year; and deliver 1-2 conference presentations each year.
- Potential Mentors
- Applicants are asked to identify a primary/research mentor at the time of application. The primary mentor, with the assistance of the Co-PIs will identify other mentors based on the primary research area of the trainee. Below is a list of potential mentors with extensive experience and expertise in various areas of AT.
Name Program Position & Title Research Interests Dan Ding, PhD RST Associate Professor, Vice Chair for Research Smart home AT, wearables, assistive robotics, policy for emerging tech as AT Mark R. Schmeler, PhD, OTR/L, ATP RST Associate Professor, Vice Chair for Education Clinical service delivery,Wheeled mobility and seating, policy for complex rehab technology David Brienza, PhD RST Professor, Associate Dean for Innovation Tissue integrity, pressure injury Catherine Palmer, PhD, CCA CSD Professor, Interim Department Chair Audiology learning post-hearing aid fitting Katya Hill, PhD, CCC-SLP CSD Associate Professor Augmentative & alternative communication, brain computer interface Juleen Rodakowski, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA OT Associate Professor, Department Chair Rehab services for community living Jonathan Pearlman, PhD RST Associate Professor, Department Chair AT development, commercialization, quality control Clive D'Souza, PhD RST Assistant Professor Accessible transportation, human factors Pamela Toto, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA OT Professor, Director of CScD Environmental modification, aging in place - Resources
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Academic and Research
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS)
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology
- Department of Occupational Therapy
- Department of Physical Therapy
- Department of Communication Science and Disorders
- SHRS Data Center
- University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Training
- University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association
- Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Wireless Technologies
Clinical Resources
- 2024 Current Fellows
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Gina Novario, OTD, OTR/L, Postdoctoral Associate
Gina Novario is the current Advanced Rehabilitation Research and Training Fellow in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology (RST) at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2021 with a doctorate in occupational therapy. She has worked previously with RST investigators during her doctoral capstone experience and briefly as a research assistant prior to working in clinical practice at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Novario's research interests include smart home technology use as assistive technology to promote independence for persons with disabilities.
In her free time, Gina enjoys exploring the Pittsburgh live music scene, attending work out classes with her friends, and going on hikes with her pup, Aldo!
Mariana Pacheco Busquets, OTD, OTR/L, Postdoctoral Associate
Mariana Pacheco is a research fellow pursuing the Career Advancement in Assistive Technology Practice, Research, and Policy (CAT-PReP) post-doctoral program. She graduated from Duquesne University in 2023 with a doctorate in occupational therapy and has had research and clinical experience in the field of Seating & Positioning. Pacheco-Busquets' research interests include wheelchair service and delivery to promote greater mobility and independence for people with disabilities. Mariana was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she has witnessed the healthcare disparities that individuals with disabilities experience daily due to lack of equitable resources. With a growing passion for improving accessibility within the island, she hopes to use this experience to contribute to more technological advances for individuals with mobility limitations living in Puerto Rico.
In her free time, Mariana keeps herself busy reading, being outdoors, or spending time with friends. But after almost 5 years of living in Pittsburgh, she mostly enjoys exploring the different restaurants and food spots around the city.
- Dissemination
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- 2024 Univ. of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Research Symposium Proceedings
- Novario, G., Foschi-Walko, P., Morris, L., Fairman-Laferrier, A., Ding, D (2024, April). Assessing Mobile Device Proficiency for a Smart Home Intervention in Individuals with Complex Disabilities. Poster Presented at University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Research Symposium.
- Busquets, M.P., Schein RM, Harrison, J. & Schmeler MR (2024, April). Using time-driven activity-based costing to identify value improvement opportunities in Complex Rehabilitation Technology evaluations. Poster Presented at University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Research Symposium.
- University of Pittsburgh Announces Training Fellowships in Assistive Technology
- University of Pittsburgh Introduces Assistive Technology Training Fellowships
- Where’s the science? UPitt program will help create it
- 2024 Univ. of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Research Symposium Proceedings
Contact Information and Additional Details
If you have any questions or want more information, please contact the program at cat_prep@pitt.edu. Please include your CV or resume when reaching out to us.