Primary Investigator:
kausderau@wisc.edu
Karla Ausderau, PhD, OTR/L
Karla is a clinical instructor in the Occupational Therapy MSOT program and a licensed Occupational Therapist. She is a UW-Madison alumni who went on to complete her MA in Occupational Therapy and PhD in Occupational Science at the University of Southern California. Her post-doctoral training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Graduate Students:
bstjohn@wisc.edu
Brittany St. John, Project Assistant
I am currently a second year MSOT student. I graduated with a BA in psychology in 2010 from Seattle Pacific University. As an undergraduate I studied play and emotion intelligence in preschool children. Before returning to school for occupational therapy I was a program manager, program director, and behavioral specialist for agencies serving adults with disabilities. My current research interests include parent child relationships in special populations, Special Olympic athletes’ understanding of health, inclusive research methodologies, and feeding strategies for parents of children with autism.
Molly Harme
I am currently a second year MSOT student. I graduated in 2015 from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BS in Rehabilitation Psychology. Over the past few years, I worked with a range of kids with autism through volunteering and in-home therapy and solidified my interest in autism spectrum disorder and the challenges people with the disorder may face. My research interests include feeding interventions for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. In my spare time, I like watching sports, swimming, and traveling to new places.
Colleen Althoff
I am a currently a second year MSOT student. I graduated from UW-Madison with a BS in rehabilitation psychology in 2015. I have been involved in Dr. Ausderau’s lab for the past three years. My research interests include feeding strategies used by caregivers of kids with ASD and stress reduction for pregnant and parenting teens.
Caitlin Dammann
I am currently a second year MSOT student. I am originally from Iowa and graduated in 2013 from Drake University with a Doctor of Pharmacy. I spent the next two years working with children with autism and other diagnoses before beginning the program at UW-Madison. My research interests include parent-mediated interventions as well as mealtime strategies used by families with children with autism and other disabilities.
Kate Dorrance
I am currently a second year MSOT student. I grew up in Northern Wisconsin and graduated from UW-Madison in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Psychology. I love working with children with disabilities in camp settings and internationally. I am interested in working with families with children with disabilities, especially in areas of feeding interventions, sensory, and meaningful familial participation.
Sarah Hope
I attained my undergraduate degree in biology at UW-Madison, where I am now a second year graduate student in the Occupational Therapy program. My research interests include parent-mediated interventions for children with autism, and strategies families with children with autism use to achieve successful and meaningful mealtimes.
ELISE PAGEL
I am currently a first year MSOT student. I graduated in 2009 from Macalester College with a BA in Geography and Environmental Studies. I developed my route to OT school through my roles as a Parent Educator for parents with children ages 0-5, paraprofessional in a classroom for children with ASD, and activities coordinator for adults with disabilities. My research interests continue to grow as I learn more about feeding interventions for caregivers of children with ASD, mindfulness interventions for teen parents, and the many factors that influence the health and well-being of adults with intellectual disabilities.
Rachel Eggers
I am currently a first year MSOT student. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2013 with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Prior to attending UW Madison I provided respite and therapeutic recreation services to children with disabilities. My research interests include parent mediated interventions and aspects of health for Special Olympics athletes.
Lauren Lange
I am currently a first year MSOT student. I have lived in Wisconsin my entire life and graduated from UW-Madison with my B.S. in Rehabilitation Psychology in 2015. Over the past few years, I have spent a lot of time working with adults with brain injuries and children with varying needs. My research interests include the implications of family mealtime on family members, as well as the supports and resources available for pregnant teenagers.
Undergraduate Students:
Sara Twadell
I am an undergraduate senior studying Rehabilitation Psychology with the intention of attending medical school in 2018. After a growing interest in autism and other developmental disorders through research, I am passionate about continuing to increase awareness of these disorders within the medical field.
Jessica Muesbeck
I am a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Rehabilitation Psychology with hopes of attending graduate school for Occupational Therapy. I am entering my second year as an undergraduate research assistant in this lab. Dr. Ausderau’s lab could not be a more fitting opportunity for me as I get to work side by side with her, an occupational therapist and graduate school professor, as well as occupational therapy graduate students. I have always been interested in working with children and this lab allows me to do that as we study children on the autism spectrum and their mealtime behaviors. I have specifically been researching how parents of children on the autism spectrum define their child’s selective eating. Outside of the lab, I love to hang out with my family and friends, travel, try new restaurants, and go camping up north!
Shannon Kant
I am currently a senior studying Rehabilitation Psychology, looking to study Occupational Therapy in the future. This is my second year working in Dr. Ausderau’s lab, and I am really grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it! I am also a line therapist for Wisconsin Early Autism Project, which has allowed me to learn more about ASD and working with children. I look forward to working with this research team for another year!
Rachel Usdin
I am a junior studying Human Development and Family Studies. This is my second year as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Ausderau’s lab. I would like to go to graduate school for Occupational Therapy. I have always had an interest and passion for working with children and hope to work as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. I have learned a lot from this lab and look forward to being part of the research team for the next year!
Erin Bradley
I graduated from UW with a BS in rehabilitation psychology in December. I am continuing in the lab until I start OT school in the fall. This is my fourth year volunteering with Dr Ausderau and I have loved being a part of this amazing research team. I have a passion for working with children and their families. I look forward to seeing what this next semester brings.
Selin Gök
I am currently a sophomore studying Psychology, Political Science, and Global Health. Entering my first semester as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Ausderau’s lab, I’m excited to explore my research interests in feeding interventions for children living with developmental disorders, as well as providing stress reduction support and resources for young expectant mothers.
Nilvio Alexander Punguil Bravo
I am in the Rehabilitation Psychology program. I am interested in working with people with disabilities of any kind and any age. I want to learn more about disabilities in different fields. I am also interested to apply to the OT program next year. I am originally from Ecuador, and have been here in the United States for last 15 years. I am an artist of multiple mediums. I perform in a band, Los Chechos, and play with the Handphibians as well. We perform at all of the local spots here on the Isthmus. Also I am a freelance carpenter.
Lab Alumni:
Beth Nieuwenhuis
Kristen Kwaterski
April Legrave
Kristen Bochenek