By Dave DeFusco
Over the past year, the Katz School of Science and Health has been a hive of activity in the health sciences, with students and faculty tackling some of today鈥檚 most pressing questions about how people heal, communicate, move and care for one another. From family playrooms and classrooms to hospitals, clinics and community spaces, their work reflects a shared goal: to improve quality of life in practical, meaningful ways. Even for people unfamiliar with the nuances of fields like speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy and nursing, the common thread is easy to understand鈥攈elping people live safer, healthier and more connected lives.
At the center of this work is a culture that treats research not as an abstract exercise, but as a tool for real-world change. Dr. Marissa Barrera, assistant dean of health sciences and director of the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, describes the past year as one marked by both rigor and compassion.
鈥淥ur faculty and students are deeply committed to rigorous, evidence-based research,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hat makes it special is that this work doesn鈥檛 stay on paper. It directly improves people鈥檚 lives, making them smarter, safer and healthier.鈥
That philosophy was on full display at the Katz School鈥檚 Graduate Symposium on Science, Technology and Health in May, where students across programs presented research that translated complex science into human impact. One of the most striking examples came from Bella Chilczuk, a student in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. Her project focused on something universal and joyful: play. While play may seem simple, Chilczuk鈥檚 research showed how intentional parent-child play can strengthen family resilience, reduce stress and support child development.
The project itself reflected the Katz School鈥檚 collaborative spirit. Co-led by faculty at the Katz School and Florida Gulf Coast University, the research brought together students from two universities. 麻豆区 and FGCU even signed a formal agreement to support the partnership, underscoring a shared commitment to research that meets real family needs. The result was a strength-based program that offers parents practical tools to connect with their children through play, even during challenging times.
Communication鈥攈ow it develops, how it breaks down and how it can be restored鈥攚as another major theme of the year. Speech-language pathology, often misunderstood as simply 鈥渟peech therapy,鈥 actually addresses a wide range of challenges, from language development in children to swallowing and cognitive issues in adults. Emily Minkow, a graduate of the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and a board-certified music therapist, exemplifies how creativity and science can work together in this field.
In her work with young children, Minkow often uses music to encourage language. A familiar song becomes an invitation and a pause becomes an opportunity for a child to use words with purpose. This blend of artistry, empathy and clinical skill earned her national recognition from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which honored her with its 2025 Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate. The award highlighted not only her clinical excellence, but also her leadership and community engagement鈥攓ualities the Katz School seeks to cultivate in its graduates.
Students in the speech-language pathology program also explored research topics with long-term implications. At the graduate symposium, Kayla Bissell presented a review examining how a parent鈥檚 own childhood trauma can affect their child鈥檚 language, emotional and behavioral development. By tracing these intergenerational effects, her work emphasized the importance of early intervention and family-centered care. Another student, Brooke Smith, focused on veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, highlighting how PTSD can impair executive functions like decision-making and self-regulation鈥攁reas where speech-language pathologists can play a greater role in rehabilitation.
Sharon Matalon鈥檚 research compared group therapy and individual therapy for children with autism who have speech sound disorders. While one-on-one therapy has long been the standard, her findings suggested that group therapy can be just as effective for some children, offering social benefits alongside speech practice. This kind of research has the potential to expand access to care and make therapy more efficient without sacrificing quality.
Katz School students explored how occupational therapy, a field dedicated to helping people participate in everyday activities, can support people of every age, from children with developmental challenges to older adults facing mobility issues. Arielle Caplan鈥檚 research questioned whether a widely used scale for measuring disability in people with Multiple Sclerosis truly captures what matters most鈥攃ognition and the ability to manage daily tasks. Her work called for a more holistic view of disability, one that aligns closely with occupational therapy鈥檚 focus on real-life function.
Other projects tackled public health concerns in innovative ways. Briana Tucci developed an outdoor fall-prevention program for older adults, addressing a gap in traditional fall-prevention efforts that often focus only on the home. By educating people about outdoor risks and strategies, her work aimed to reduce injuries and preserve independence. Lior Nissanian created resources to help dental professionals better support children with autism, using occupational therapy strategies to reduce anxiety and sensory overload during dental visits.
End-of-life care was another area where Katz School research pushed boundaries. At the national occupational therapy conference, students presented a comprehensive review of how occupational therapy can improve quality of life for people in palliative care. The research highlighted both the field鈥檚 potential and its underuse, pointing toward a future where occupational therapists play a larger role in supporting dignity, comfort and meaningful activity at the end of life.
The Katz School hosted an interprofessional simulation event that brought together nursing, physician assistant and speech-language pathology students. The simulation centered on a stroke scenario, showing how different professionals must work together in real time to assess, diagnose and treat patients. Faculty from each discipline observed and debriefed together, modeling the collaboration that modern healthcare demands.
The M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies also demonstrated excellence, with students conducting research on topics ranging from eczema treatments to innovative therapies for ulcerative colitis. Clinical experiences took students into some of the most challenging environments in healthcare, including cancer centers and international medical missions. These experiences reinforced the Katz School鈥檚 emphasis on combining scientific knowledge with empathy and service.
Beyond individual projects, the Katz School made strides in expanding access to care. A national training grant allowed the Speech-Language Pathology program鈥檚 Virtual Clinic to offer specialized speech services for people with Parkinson鈥檚 disease at no cost, using telehealth to overcome barriers like transportation and mobility. This initiative reflects a broader trend at the Katz School: using technology and innovation to reach underserved populations.
Faculty research further strengthened the school鈥檚 impact. Studies on topics such as fall risk in people with Multiple Sclerosis, the long-term effects of childhood trauma on health and the role of occupational therapy in palliative care contributed to national conversations in their respective fields. Faculty members also led workshops and presentations on cultural competence, trauma-informed care, sleep hygiene and healthy aging, ensuring that research findings translated into better practice.
Even creative writing found a place in the Katz School鈥檚 health sciences story. Alumni authored children鈥檚 books addressing resilience during the pandemic, while others integrated language skills and cultural awareness into their clinical work. These projects underscored the idea that health is not just about treating illness, but about supporting the whole person emotionally, socially and culturally.
鈥淭he Katz School鈥檚 past year in the health sciences can be summed up as a commitment to connecting research to real life, students to communities and science to compassion,鈥 said Dr. Barrera. 鈥淭hrough rigorous study and hands-on practice, faculty and students demonstrated how health professions can work together to build a future that is not only more advanced, but more humane.鈥
