Education
PhD in Occupational Science - University of Southern California, 2010; MA in Occupational Therapy - University of Southern California, 2004
Background
Beth Pyatak, PhD, OTR/L, will be joining the USC faculty this fall as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. She received her BA in Psychology, MA in Occupational Therapy and PhD in Occupational Science, all from USC. Dr. Pyatak’s primary research interest is the intersection of chronic care management, occupational engagement, and health and well-being among individuals with chronic illness and/or disability. Her current research is focused on the development of a lifestyle intervention aimed at improving health and quality of life outcomes among young adults with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Currently, she is collaborating with faculty in the Keck School of Medicine to implement a one-year transition program aimed at improving health and psychosocial outcomes, and increase medical follow-up, among young adults with type 1 diabetes transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare settings (Helmsley Foundation 2010PG-T1D011; PI: A. Peters). Additionally, she works with faculty in the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy on the Lifestyle Redesign® for Pressure Ulcer Prevention in SCI (LR-PUPS) study (NIH/NCMRR #1 R01 HD056267-01; PI F. Clark) where she is developing manuscripts detailing the LR-PUPS study methodology and providing recommendations for researchers conducting randomized controlled trial research among disadvantaged populations.