Current Students

Sharon Medina, MOT, OTR/L

Sharon Medina photo

November 2013 – Present
Sharon graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s in Health Education in May 2015 and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy in December 2017.  She is a student in the Rehabilitation Science Doctoral program at the University of Florida. She intends to investigate the impacts of cognitive impairments on a young person’s ability to assume his or her anticipated adult roles. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys dancing, reading, and watching funny movies.

Email: sharonmedina@phhp.ufl.edu


Sharon Mburu (Shazz), PT, MS

Shazz

August 2019 – Present
Shazz is a PhD student in the Rehabilitation Science Doctoral program at the University of Florida. Her research interest is in the development and testing of programmatic interventions for young people with disabilities. Shazz is a Physical Therapist who has practiced in Kenya and Uganda. She has her Masters in Adapted Physical Activity (APA) whereby she worked in and created programs for fostering the societal functioning and participation of youth with disabilities.

 


Anushka Pandya

Anushka Picture

August 2019 – Present
Anushka is currently an undergraduate Health Sciences major. After graduating in Spring 2022, she will be entering the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program at UF in Fall 2022, hopefully with a focus on pediatrics. She likes to volunteer with Balance180 in her free time, with their Adaptive Gymnastics program and their E-Learning pod. Outside of class, Anushka likes to read, knit, and listen to music.


Kelly Dillon

Kelly Dillon

January 2019 – Present
Kelly is currently an Occupational Therapy doctoral student here at the University of Florida and she expects to graduate in December 2023. Kelly will continue her involvement in the lab by helping to analyze qualitative salient skills used by students with learning disabilities/ADHD. Outside of the lab, Kelly enjoys ballet, going to the beach, and playing with her dogs.


Kristina Kobza

Kristina

May 2019 – Present
Kristina is an Occupational Therapy doctoral student here at the University of Florida and she expects to graduate in December 2023. The majority of her experience has been in pediatrics and geriatrics, and she is excited to expand her understanding to include how to support students with learning disabilities as they transition into adulthood. She enjoys the creative freedom and critical thinking aspects of research. Outside of the lab, Kristina enjoys time spent trying new activities, being outdoors, and hanging out with friends and family.


Michelle Waldman

michelle headshot

May 2020 – Present
Michelle is an undergraduate Psychology major with an emphasis on Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience with a minor in Disabilities in Society. She will be graduating Spring 2022 and she hopes to pursue a Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy with either an emphasis on rehabilitation, neurogenetic disorders, or the expansion within mental health. Within the lab, Michelle is excited to gain research skills and knowledge to help herself grow so she can develop into a integral contributor variety of projects. Outside of lab, Michelle loves playing in the Gator Band, writing, reading, promoting mental health, and volunteering.


Rebekah Schachner

Rebekah

August 2020 – Present
Rebekah was born and raised in South Florida. She is currently an Occupational Therapy Doctorate student at the University of Florida and will be graduating Fall 2022. In 2019 Rebekah graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Her interests are in the areas of early intervention, pediatrics, and adolescence with disabilities. In the past, Rebekah worked at a school for individuals with Cerebral Palsy and as a Registered Behavior Technician working with children with autism. Outside of class and the lab, Rebekah likes to explore different trails, craft, and cook and try new recipes.


Anya Klumpp

Anya Klumpp

August 2020 – Present
Anya graduated in December 2018 from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s in psychology and started the Doctoral Occupational Therapy program at the University of Florida in August 2019. Her areas of interest are sensory processing and learning disabilities in the pediatric population. She is looking forward to expanding her knowledge and understanding of young adults and adults with learning disabilities in order to have a complete understanding of the needs at various stages of development. In her free time Anya enjoys reading, watching stand-up comedy, and being outdoors.


Emma Ward

image

October 2020 – Present
Emma is an undergraduate Health Sciences major with a minor in Disabilities in Society minor. After graduating with her Bachelor’s in Spring 2022, she is planning on applying to various occupational therapy programs in Florida. Emma hopes to work with refugees in other countries one day. Outside of school, Emma is on the executive board of UF Science Olympiad, attends North Central Baptist Church, and is involved with the BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry). In her free time she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, going to the beach, listening to new music, spending time with friends, and meeting new people.


Zaria Smith

Student profile

February 2021 – Present
Zaria is an undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disabilities student with minors in Spanish and Disabilities in Society. She plans on graduating in Spring 2022 and continuing her education in graduate school studying speech pathology. Zaria is interested in language acquisition and how disability affects language development. Outside of the lab, Zaria is involved with Greenhouse Church and the Florida Cicerones. In her free time, Zaria likes to knit, bake, and spend time with friends.


Mia Sewall

August 2021 – Present

Mia is an undergraduate Communication Sciences & Disorders major with a Disabilities in Society minor and a Spanish for the Professions certificate. She will be graduating in Summer 2022 and plans to work as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLP-A) in the Gainesville area before seeking her Master’s in speech-language pathology. Mia’s clinical interests include alternative & augmentative communication (AAC) and child language acquisition. Outside of the lab, Mia enjoys reading, listening to new music, and watching movies.


Sarah Kunkel

Sarah Kunkel

September 2021 – Present

Sarah is an undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorders major with minors in Disabilities in Society and Spanish. She will graduate in Spring 2022 and continue her education in graduate school in Boston studying occupational therapy. Sarah is interested in working in pediatrics with patients who have various conditions. Outside of the lab, Sarah enjoys spending time outside, cooking, and spending time with friends.