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 2023
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
Exploration of Occupational Barriers of At-Promise Youth with Photovoice, Francis Bie, Brianna Baisch, Quyntz Ellenwood, Kerry Krohn, and Iliana Santellan
Holistic Occupational Therapy Dining Interventions Supporting Individuals with Dementia in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Kathleen Osio, Sabrina Anne Cezar, Ashley Lorton, and Lisa Worsham
Identifying Motivators, Facilitators, and Barriers to Engaging in an Online Fine Motor Exercise Program, Kristine Ricossa, Kyndra Menefee, Lauren Rally, Mia Do, and Charis Chan
Impact of Assistive Technology Applications in Higher Education for Students With and Without Disabilities, Continued, Melanie C. Barillas, Alma E. Cortez, Tamera Y. McNeil, Geneen C. Samaniego, and Julia Zasso
Impact of COVID-19 on students and faculty in higher education, Joshua Manio, Kirsten Bas, Megan Griffith, Sophia Mendoza, and Christian Jiao
OT Consultation for Cultural Arts Accessibility: Therapists' Perspectives, Jeremy Firstenberg, Reichelle Bella, Dezarina Bernales-Mendez, Anisha Chum, and Lucy Thach
Virtual Visitation: Promoting Social Occupations in Dementia Care, Carly Spina, Lizann Jovanovich, Ashley Jones, Pamela Baraceros, and Rena Ribeiro
Theses/Capstones from 2021
A Cross-Content Validation: SOSI-M & BOT-SF, Eleanor Brewer, Emily Yuen, Alyssa Asuncion, Taylor Hanson, and Mariella Villanueva
Adaptive Gaming as an Occupation: Motor Phenomena and Lived Experiences, Christina Floyd, Melanie Blaisdell, Madeleine Pope, Audrey Metzger, Donna Chen Tubig, Lauren Andaya, and Christine Vincent
Adaptive Video Gaming in the Classroom, Lauren Ferrell, Daniela Mari Recinto, Desarae Finck-Fugazi, Christine Angela Manalang, and Noémie von Kaenel
An Exploration of Experiences that Influence Occupational Therapy Students' Motivations to Pursue Occupational Therapy as a Career, Kayla-Marie Bartolome Gigante, Alyssa Cantrell, Michelle Nguyen, and Garrett Teagarden
Early Bird Caregiver Education: A program to support caregivers of individuals living with early stage dementia or memory loss or other cognitive impairments, Mia Lopez, Tyler Trees, and Brock Albee
Imposter Phenomenon: The Occupational Experiences of First-Generation College Students, Jamie Zabat, Jacqueline Salas, Yashi Severson, Kevin Chavez, Krysta Gastelum, and Javier Gomez
Occupation-Based Volunteer Training Program to Increase Social Engagement for Residents with Dementia in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Kiyomi Kuroda, Nhat Hoang, Victoria Ramia, and Kelsy Wallace
Performers' Experiences of Participation in Sensory Friendly Performances, Molly M. Vilaithong, Brooke E. Grupe, Lucy Chen, Andrea N. Wurster, and Carleigh J. Robinson
Relationship Between Sensory Integration and Occupational Participation for School-Aged Children, Natalie Piwinski, Jordan Hoss, Rebecca Velasco, and Victoria Jess