Great things happen in our lab!
Graduate RA Now Ph.D. Candidate
February 19, 2025
Jordan Major, who has been a graduate RA in the Sensory Development Lab since the fall of 2022, is officially a Rehabilitation Science Ph.D. candidate! She has passed her qualifying exams, defended her dissertation proposal, and is now working on beginning her research project. Jordan’s dissertation is focused on characterizing and understanding diabetes among pregnant individuals with Type 1 Diabetes. Her study aims to shed light on the layered and complex challenges birthing individuals with Type 1 Diabetes face and, ultimately, guide the development of targeted interventions to improve maternal care and advance health equity.
Dr. Amy Hartman Presents as Featured Speaker at the 2025 UF Sandra Edwards Colloquium
January 25, 2025
Dr. Amy Hartman, Ph.D., OTR/L, presented her sleep research at the 2025 UF Sandra Edwards Colloquium in a Science and Practice talk. In her presentation, Dr. Hartman shared insights about her home-based sleep research program for neurodivergent children and their families. She highlighted multiple studies that her lab has conducted to characterize sleep and activity patterns across school-aged children and linked her findings to the clinical occupational therapy community. One of the studies that she highlighted was the Sleep Health in Autistic Children (SHAC) study that she is currently conducting in collaboration with our SDL lab! We are so excited and proud to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Hartman!
OTD Resident Capstone Presentation
December 11, 2024
Bridget Nelson, an RA in the Sensory Development Lab, presented her capstone project as the last step before graduating from UF’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program. Bridget completed her capstone throughout this last semester with Dr. Bodison where she was a teaching assistant for the Neuroscience of Human Occupation course for first-year OTD students. For Bridget’s capstone project she used a survey to examine the value of case-based learning and the impact it had on OTD students’ skill development. We are sad that we have lost a valuable member of our lab, but we look forward to cheering Bridget on in all of her future endeavors!
SDL Team Picture
October 29, 2024
The McKnight Brain Institute, where we complete MRIs for our research studies, has been taking pictures of their associated research labs so that they can highlight them in the upcoming months on social media. We are loving both our serious shot and the fun picture that showcases our personalities! Check out our post on the McKnight Brain Institute Facebook page here.
OTD Resident Completing Capstone in SDL
September 30, 2024
SDL is excited to share that one of our volunteers is staying on this fall to complete her capstone with Dr. Bodison! Bridget Nelson, a student in UF’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, was looking for an in depth experience in the world of academia. Consequently, she is spending time in SDL exploring the research pathway by learning about assessments, neuroimaging, and data collection, in addition to interacting with participants for our various studies. In Neuroscience of Human Occupation, a course offered for 1st semester OTD students that is co-taught by Dr. Bodison and Dr. Howell, Bridget is also helping expand course content. She is working with the team to make modifications to previously developed case studies in order to help students deepen their understanding of neurological structures and develop their clinical reasoning. Read Bridget’s bio to learn more about her and her professional interests!
SDL Volunteer Meeting
September 5, 2024
We recently oriented our fall volunteers who record weekly occupational therapy intervention sessions. Each week Dr. Bodison and Dr. Howell meet with these volunteers to discuss our research studies and sensory integration occupational therapy. Here is a screenshot of the first meeting!
Summer Research Recap
August 19, 2024
Summer occupational therapy (OT) research sessions were a blast! Kids were busy moving their bodies, exploring the equipment, learning new skills, and going on imaginative adventures through the lab. You know it’s been a great session when the gym floor is covered in toys and kids are sweaty and happy!
New Volunteers in the Sensory Development Lab
July 2, 2024
We have recently added new members to our SDL team! We have four new volunteers that record our occupational therapy sessions using video software with 360° views. Visit our People tab to learn more about our new volunteers!
Devin Leaving SDL
June 26, 2024
While this is a sad announcement on our end, we are excited to share that Devin has left our lab to pursue another opportunity that allows him to be closer to home and expand his skills while using his new Masters degree in Public Health! Devin is now a Clinical Research Coordinator at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, where he will be working in the Center for Pediatric Health and Equity Research to help create a better future for the children in our communities. Join us in wishing Devin the best of luck with all of his future endeavors!
OT Summit of Scholars Lab Tour
June 7, 2024
We welcomed fellow researchers for a tour of our lab during the OT Summit of Scholars conference. Attendees had the opportunity to try our equipment, hear about what we do in our lab, and brainstorm future research ideas!
SDL Dinner
June 5, 2024
We had a great time sharing a meal and celebrating the start of the summer semester as a lab team! It was fun to be together and remember how much our lab has grown.
Welcome to the Lab, Melanie!
May 7, 2024
We welcomed our newest undergraduate research assistant, Melanie, this week! Melanie is a third-year Bachelor of Health Science student majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is a part of the PHHP Honors Program and plans to pursue a career in audiology. Read Melanie’s bio to learn more about her!
Devin Presenting at PHHP Days
April 16, 2024
Our graduate research assistant, Devin, presented his capstone project at UF PHHP Days as the culmination of his Master’s in Public Health. His project examined the relationship between social supports and cardiovascular outcomes across varying demographic groups in Alachua county. Devin’s poster presentation won third-place for M.P.H. capstone presentations at PHHP Days. We are so proud of you, Devin!
First Participant for Balance Study
April 9, 2024
We had our first participant for our Balance in Young to Mid Adults study today! In this study participants complete two assessments of sensorimotor function, Computerized Dynamic Posturography (measuring postural control and balance), and participate in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Through this study we are hoping to learn more about how sensory brain structures are involved in maintaining balance. Click the link to answer a few questions to find out if you might be eligible!
SDL at AOTA Inspire 2024
March 21, 2024
Dr. Bodison and Jordan Major had the opportunity to attend the annual AOTA conference in Orlando. They spent their time attending sessions, networking with peers, and learning about the latest and greatest in occupational therapy! Jordan, a Rehabilitation Science Ph.D. student, presented a scoping review on pregnancy outcomes in Black mothers with type 1 diabetes. Jordan is in the process of narrowing down her topic for her Ph.D.. She is hoping that her topic can inform interventions to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes for Black mothers and their babies.
Welcome to the Lab, Carolina
February 7, 2024
SDL welcomed our new graduate research assistant, Carolina Cuomo, this week! Carolina is a first-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student here at UF and is interested in working in pediatrics or neurological rehabilitation. Read Carolina’s bio to learn more about our newest lab member!
New Lab Manager
February 1, 2024
This month’s news update is both happy and sad!
We are excited to announce that our lab manager, Elizabeth, was given the opportunity to pursue a position close to home that more closely aligns with her future career goals. So, she is moving on to new adventures! It is definitely a sad loss for our team, but we are excited to cheer her on in her future endeavors.
The happy news is that one of our own, Erin, is taking over the lab manager position! She decided to go through the application and interview process and we are thrilled that she has agreed to step into this role. We know that her passion, organization, leadership skills, and enthusiasm for the Sensory Development Lab and occupational therapy will only help us continue to serve our community and further the profession.
MPH Student Receives Scholarship
January 10, 2024
We are so excited for our graduate research assistant and Master of Public Health student, Devin Valdes, who was awarded the Dr. John J. Benton Endowed Scholarship! This scholarship is awarded to MPH students who demonstrate integrity, humility, compassion, good scholarship, and a good sense of humor as determined by a faculty committee. Congratulations, Devin!
Grad Student Selected for Simuvaction
December 7, 2023
We are so excited for our PhD Student, Jordan Major, who was selected for Simuvaction, a highly competitive program where graduate students engage in the ethical use and development of AI. This is an incredible opportunity for both our lab and the Department of Occupational Therapy.
Child Led Intervention Session
November 15, 2023
In the Sensory Development Lab, we love intervention sessions that are child led and centered around the child’s interests. For this session, Dr. Howell and the child went ‘reverse bowling’ where they rolled weighted balls up the ramp to knock over ‘bowling pins’ they created around a Dr. Who theme!
Halloween Inspired Intervention Session
October 31, 2023
One of our kiddos spends time at home solving mysteries dressed up as Sherlock Holmes. So, for his visit on Halloween, he came has Sherlock and Dr. Howell dressed up as Watson. They searched for clues to solve a Top Secret mystery in the lab!
Lab Open House
September 19, 2023
Last week, Sensory Development Lab warmly welcomed faculty and students to our first-ever open house event. Attendees had the unique opportunity to explore our finalized lab space and sensory-based equipment, learn more about current and upcoming SDL research studies, and chat with Dr. Bodison and our incredible team of researchers.
Devin Valdes Selected as This is Public Health Student Ambassador
August 17, 2023
Devin Valdes, a graduate research assistant in Sensory Development Lab and a Master of Public Health student, was selected as a student ambassador for This is Public Health. As a student ambassador, Valdes takes up the responsibility of raising awareness about public health through community engagement and public events. His long-term goals are to pursue epidemiology research as an M.D. or Ph.D. and serve as an advocate for public health, specifically through the creation of sustainable programs for outbreaks and literacy. We are so proud of Devin and cannot wait to see where his research takes him! Click here to read more.
Ready Teddy- MRI Prep
June 12, 2023
This week we welcomed our first research pilot participant to our lab and completed the baseline assessments and MRI scan. We were so excited to use “Ready Teddy,” a VR tool that helps kids prepare for the MRI by allowing them to virtually experience the sights and sounds of the scan before getting in the machine.
Dr. Bodison Receives AOTA’s Roster of Fellows Award
June 1, 2023
Dr. Bodison, OTD, OTR/L, and director of Sensory Development Lab, has received the 2023 Roster of Fellows Award from the American Occupational Therapy Association. The award is given to occupational therapists who have made significant contributions to the field. Bodison was chosen for her groundbreaking research which employs advanced neuroimaging techniques to provide evidence-based pediatric occupational therapy interventions. We are so excited for Dr. Bodison and honored to be a part of her pioneering research! Click here to read more.
Our Research Lab is Open
May 22, 2023
Our Occupational Therapy lab and waiting area are open and ready to receive research participants! We are looking forward to officially recruiting children and families for our autism study.
Congratulations Erin and Devin
May 15, 2023
Our two Bachelor’s in Health Science (BHS) honors students, Erin Lebesch and Devin Valdes, both graduated this week! We are so excited for these two as they continue on in graduate programs at the University of Florida. This Fall, Erin will attend UF’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program and Devin will continue his Master’s of Public Health. Congrats to all recent graduates!
Refining our MRI Paradigm
April 11, 2023
Dr. Bodison got in the MRI machine with our virtual reality goggles this week to test out the paradigm for the Sensory Intervention study. The goggles will allow participants to watch a tv show or movie right in front of their eyes while in the scanner!
Bertec Testing
March 22, 2023
Excited to be piloting our Bertec balance protocol with our lab staff!
The Mats are Here
February 8, 2023
Our research mats have arrived and are a perfect fit!
Great things are happening in SDL
January 25, 2023
Our team is working hard to prep our lab’s intervention space. We can’t think of a better bonding experience than putting together sensory equipment! Plus our intervention mats arrive in just a few weeks. Great things are happening in SDL!
The Swings Are Up
December 15, 2022
We are excited to announce that the swing structures are now in place and have been fully tested by lab staff!
In-Service at Magnolia Parke
October 20, 2022
This week, Dr. Bodison and Dr. Howell visited UF Health Rehab Center – Magnolia Parke to present about Sensory Integration and research activities. It was great meeting with Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapists in the field and sharing ideas directly related to patient care!
Recipient of McKnight Brain Institute Grant
September 27, 2022
We are excited to announce that SDL was awarded an essential equipment grant from the McKnight Brain Institute. These funds will be used to purchase an fMRI equipment package that includes MRI rated goggles to make neuroimaging for the kids easier!
Scooters, Swings, and More
September 2, 2022
New lab equipment has been unboxed and tested! We are so excited for our intervention equipment including swings, scooters, a scooter ramp, and a ball pit.
Welcome to the Lab, Jordan Major
August 24, 2022
Sensory Development Lab welcomed our newest PhD candidate this week. Jordan Major, MOT, OTR/L moved from California to Gainesville, where she is enrolled in UF’s PhD program in Occupational Therapy. Read Jordan’s bio to learn more about our new lab member!
The First Piece of Lab Equipment Has Arrived
July 7, 2022
We are excited to begin assessing vestibular postural mechanisms as part of our research studies!
SDL’s First Lab Meeting
June 20, 2022
During the lab’s first meeting, lab mission and goals were discussed as well as plans for current and future research studies.
Lab Leadership Retreat
May 10, 2022
Lab Director, Dr. Bodison, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Research, Dr. Howell, and Lab Manager, Elizabeth spent the day developing lab protocol, discussing future projects, and planning the logistical components of the lab.
Lab Construction is Complete
April 14, 2022
Lab remodel completed! Next up…intervention equipment.
First Community Event for ASD Intervention
March 19, 2022
Lab leadership attended the 2022 STOMP the SWAMP for Autism where they spread the word about the upcoming ASD sensory intervention research study. The fundraising event hosted by the UF student group, Impact Autism, benefited the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.
Sensory Development Lab Construction is Coming Along
February 24, 2022
We are hoping to be in the space soon to get things together and enroll our first participants in Fall 2022.
