Students in the Occupational Therapy program spend their last three semesters creating a capstone project. This major academic achievement represents a synthesis of content learned throughout the program.
Subject matter such as theory, research methodology and analysis, program development, and education of clients are applied to either faculty lines of research or projects that will serve the community.
Students gather in teams to complete the thesis under the mentorship of their faculty thesis advisor. Completed theses are disseminated to a wide audience of constituents either in poster sessions, workshops, or peer-reviewed journals.
Theses/Capstones from 2024
Addressing the Occupational Needs of College Students, Amanda Lam, Ashley Keates, Marissa Heirich, Noreen Pervaiz, and Albert Andrew Mendoza
Creating Sensory Friendly Spaces and Accessibility to Support Inclusion at the California Academy of Sciences, Ariana Sales, Elizabeth Weintraub, Gabriele Alviz, Nicole Conyers, and Julia Karczewski
Life after Brain Injury: Family Perspectives, Brenda Yamileth Escobar, Edith Elaine Leslie, Caroline Nicole Mendoza, and Arianna Masako Inouye
Life After Pediatric Hemorrhagic Stroke: Family Perspectives, Louis Barnett, Sabrina Montano, Deana Vander Meulen, Charissa Thompson, and Alma Martinez Pamatz
Participating in Formal Occupational Therapy Mentorship Programs: Mentees Experiences, Amanda Yumiko Raigosa, Erin Elizabeth Heckelman, Isabelle Jenkins Abrahams Pisano, Alyssa Cailin Reyes Manuel, and Alice Thien Nguyen
Perspectives of OT Students on Co-Curricular Resilience Activities and Resources, Dan Kavin Agbayani, Stephen Beck, Nicole Colombo, Danielle Tirpack, and Mikayla Hilario
Relationship of Resilience Levels, Makenna Rubinstein, Breeana Montoya, Alana Martinez, Alexis Perez, and Emily Xiong
The Barriers to Adult Play in Graduate Students, Rosalind Nolde, Sabrina Solis, Catherine Salomon, and T Monelli
What is the Form, Function, and Meaning of Play for Adults in the U.S.?, Tillden Tecson, Camille Howell, Michelle Lee, Oscar Rubio, and Nerwel Zhao
Theses/Capstones from 2023
An Exploration of the Occupational Needs of College Students, Christian D. Gabon, Jennifer Brady, Kaela Jules Antonio, Kayla Twite Lehnen, and Beatriz Go
A Qualitative Study on Long-Term Adherence to Home Exercise Programs in People with Parkinson’s Disease, Caroline Stafford, Brennan Decena, Shawn Lopez, and Judith Thepkaisone
Exploring the Occupational Transition of Leaving a Cult, Justine Thompson, Baylee R. Chelossi, Emily Osborn, and Christian J. Quitoriano
Life After Brain Injury - Family Perspectives, Shaina Snyder, Everlee Anderson, Allison Wyek, Elijah Tolentino-Medios, and Cathyisabella Kintanar
Life After Brain Injury - Survivor and Family Perspectives, Brandon Duenas, Gary Eng, Haleli Moalem, and Miguel Regidor
Life After Pediatric Hemorrhagic Stroke: Family Centered Outcomes, Janice Brown, Jordan Ng, Reilly Todd, and Alyssa Vo
Measuring Outcomes of Occupational Therapy Facilitated in Natural Settings with Young Children, Amie Smith, Deepak Dale, Brinda Saini, Zoe Peters, and Amanda Laccone
Occupation-Based CNA Program to Build Caregiver Knowledge and Self-Efficacy in Dementia Care, Lucky Ung, Judy Chen, and Michelle Hong
OTs Delivering Culturally Sensitive Care for Dementia Family Caregivers From Diverse Backgrounds, Abraham Lai, Lucy Palacios Mendez, and Darren Sarmiento
Promoting Cultural Arts Access through Sensory-Friendly Theatre, Chanelle Bautista, Alyssa Cho, Jazmine Cunanan, Ariana Marino, and Miko Ramos
The LOTUS Project: A Resilience Program for Dominican University of California Occupational Therapy Graduate Students, Melissa Morini, Naema Dahdoul, Ashley Moffett, Regine Erika Saldivar, and Viviana Vazquez
Training Program for Occupational Therapists Working with Skilled Caregivers in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Lovegifty Dudero, Mai Huynh, and Ridhee Patel
Theses/Capstones from 2022
Adults with Sensory Defensiveness and Their Use of Coping Strategies, Cassidy McCurdy, Sonia Patiño, Julia McMahon, and Sophia Hagen
A Virtual View of Occupation: Transactionalism in MMORPGs, John Miklos, Alex Nold, Shasta Rice, and Amanda Flores
Batok: The Exploration of Indigenous Filipino Tattooing as a Collective Occupation, Ana Cabalquinto, Carmela Dizon, Chelsea Ramirez, and Mai Santiago
Developing a Resilience Program for Occupational Therapy Students, Sienna Guzman, Jenna Lazo, Rachel Thompson, and Madisson Walker