Our Current Team
Mary Khetani Heading link
Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
Associate Director of Graduate Studies, PhD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Health Sciences
Director, CPERL
1919 West Taylor Street
Rooms 716, 744, and 745 AHSB
Chicago, Illinois 60612
Our team Heading link
Vivian Villegas – Research Specialist
Occupational Therapist, Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater RockfordClinical Instructor, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois Chicago
What drew you to CPERL? How does CPERL align with your professional vision?
I was introduced to CPERL and Dr. Khetani during my time in the MSOT program at UIC. I immediately admired Dr. Khetani’s tenacity and leadership within the classroom. Once meeting with the CPERL team, I observed an environment that I knew would foster growth and mentorship as I completed the OTD program. Now as a pediatric occupational therapist, it is imperative to me to have a career that also includes meaningful research engagement. I am honored to continue my work at CPERL in my new role as research specialist to continue building the skills I learned as a graduate research assistant to accelerate family-engaged and participation-focused care.
What do you work on in CPERL?
I am coordinating research on the implementation of the PEM+ intervention in early childhood service contexts and engaging in ongoing anti-racist work to upgrade the functionality and use of electronic participation-focused tools for service providers and minoritized families of young children with developmental needs.
What are your favorite ways to occupy yourself, and what does it mean for you to participate in these activities?
I love to jog, play the card game, Euchre, with my friends, and search for the best sushi in Chicago. When I am running, I value the opportunity I have to explore my environment. When playing card games and dining with friends, I enjoy the opportunities I have to build rich connections with those around me.
Dianna Bosak – Research Specialist
Occupational Therapist and Director of Outpatient Services, Clubhouse Therapy CentersWhat drew you to CPERL? How does CPERL align with your professional vision?
I was introduced to CPERL and Dr. Khetani during my undergraduate studies in the Honors College at UIC in 2017. During that time, I designed, completed, and published my honors capstone project, and engaged in other research projects focused on caregiver strategy use. Now as an entry-level OT, I wanted to continue my research engagement as a research specialist to continue building my skill set and learn best practices for program implementation and oversight.
What do you work on in CPERL?
I am building off of the results from my OTD capstone and co-designing a renewed sponsored contract aimed at training knowledge brokers in occupational therapy research spaces. I am also supporting the oversight and management of training related to contract activities to ensure the production of quality products that have positive impact in moving research into practice in childhood disability.
Lilyanna Patton – Research Intern
OTD Student, University of Illinois ChicagoWhat drew you to CPERL? How does CPERL align with your professional vision?
As an entry-level (E-OTD) student exploring opportunities to grow and engage in meaningful work, I was drawn to CPERL’s mission of developing tools to enhance pediatric (re)habilitation. I am passionate about pediatric and family-centered care and am inspired by the work of CPERL. I am confident that being part of the team at CPERL will be an enriching experience where I can learn from the members and contribute to the field and its growing research.
What do you work on in CPERL?
I am an intern supporting the team in their project that advances equitable service tools for early intervention families. This project focuses on evaluating an electronic tool that invites families into the evaluation and intervention process to facilitate their child’s participation in activities.
What are your favorite ways to occupy yourself, and what does it mean for you to participate in these activities?
I love spending time with my partner, family, friends, and two cats. I cherish any opportunity to deepen my connections with them. I also like to watch comedy TV shows to relax. When it’s warm out, I enjoy taking walks and being outdoors. It’s a great way to clear my mind and enjoy the sun and fresh air!
Amin Alaani – Research Intern
Honors Undergraduate pursuing an Integrative Health Sciences major (pre-med track), University of Illinois ChicagoWhat drew you to CPERL? How does CPERL align with your professional vision?
Being involved in developing tools and workshops for families partaking in pediatric rehabilitation is a very intriguing adventure that I want to be a part of. I have had many experiences with family members, friends, and others in which more accessible and effective pediatric rehabilitation would have been extremely useful and life-changing, and I hope to aid in achieving that dream. I also aspire to carry the experience that I obtain in CPERL into my future as a doctor, as I think that pediatric care and rehabilitation is a very important insight to have as a doctor, especially when treating patients who require those needs.
What do you work on in CPERL?
I am an undergraduate intern supporting the team in their project to better understand the perspectives of leadership, providers, and families of implementing a new tool about children’s participation in the early intervention system in Illinois.
What are your favorite ways to occupy yourself, and what does it mean for you to participate in these activities?
I enjoy spending time with friends and family, trying new foods, and taking hikes! I also enjoy taking care of the (many) plants in my backyard, as well as my cat and lizard.
Valeria Esparza – Research Intern
Honors Undergraduate, University of Illinois ChicagoWhat drew you to CPERL? How does CPERL align with your professional vision?
I was drawn to CPERL because of their ambitious mission and amazing collaborative projects. I am excited to be a part of such an amazing community in an atmosphere that emphasizes teamwork. As an aspiring occupational therapist, the idea of helping within pediatric rehabilitation is super insightful and will expand my knowledge within this area. This area needs a lot of research and attention, and I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute my grain of salt to such an extensive area of study. I believe that every child deserves proper care, including resources within rehabilitation and CPERL will allow me to become more knowledgeable and use my own skills to help others. I hope to be a pediatric occupational therapist that can efficiently support all my patients and understand their varying needs.
What do you work on in CPERL?
As a team member of CPERL, I work as an undergraduate intern that will be aiding with the process of multiple immersive projects. I will be a team worker by helping within research in the area of pediatric rehabilitation, and imitating collaboration with families.
What are your favorite ways to occupy yourself, and what does it mean for you to participate in these activities?
My favorite ways to occupy myself are through school activities and time with family. I am super motivated by school and I find that I feel confident and positive when I take part in school projects. I try to balance my time with family time as it allows me to rest my mind and cherish memories. A few other things I enjoy are creative outlets and music as they allow me to genuinely express myself.
Lauren Frame – Research Intern
OTD Student, University of Illinois ChicagoWhat drew you to CPERL? How does CPERL align with your professional vision?
My journey as a parent led me to occupational therapy and the desire to help other caregivers have access to the best possible care for their children, particularly in early childhood. CPERL’s aims align with my own through forward thinking research and a focus on client-centered care. I am also excited to be part of a lab with a strong culture that values mentorship, equity and interdisciplinary collaboration. These values and the opportunity to engage in meaningful research will be invaluable as I progress through my E-OTD program and in my future practice.
What do you work on in CPERL?
I will be supporting the team as a research intern and helping with data analyses for the AHRQ-funded project on family-centered care coordination in early intervention.
What are your favorite ways to occupy yourself, and what does it mean for you to participate in these activities?
As a busy mom of 3, I live for quality time with my family. Spending time outdoors exploring the forest preserves, playing board games, and even running daily errands are opportunities to bond and grow together. I also love gardening using native plants to increase biodiversity, and I am an active board member of a native ecosystem advocacy group. Gardening makes me feel connected to the world around me and it is satisfying to know I am making an impact that improves the environment for everyone (and everything).
Carla Ribeiro Lage – Research Assistant
PhD Student, Rehabilitation SciencesWhat drew you to CPERL? How does CPERL align with your professional vision?
I am a pediatric occupational therapist and completing my master’s degree in health sciences, inclusive of a thesis related to family-centered care, at the University of South Australia. Since my professional network is well aware of my passion for family-centered care and my research career goals, I received an email from my mentor in Brazil about a PhD opportunity with Dr. Khetani. I was drawn to her unique identity and CPERL’s scholarship and environment. The opportunity to contribute to the science of early intervention (EI) and foster a fair, inclusive and collaborative culture in pediatric re/habilitation organizations and service delivery systems drives my enthusiasm in pursuing a PhD with Dr. Khetani and the CPERL team. It is an honor to have reached this next level in my career, one that I could never have imagined.
What do you work on in CPERL?
I will be orienting to CPERL and designing my PhD program of study with Dr. Khetani in my first year. I will contribute to a mixed-methods aim within an active project funded by AHRQ, to examine mechanisms of family-centered care coordination in early intervention programs.
What are your favorite ways to occupy yourself, and what does it mean for you to participate in these activities?
I most enjoy spending time with my partner, friends, and family to eat, laugh, and share memorable moments. I watch drama and suspense shows, listen to music, and walk near water to recharge.