Primary Investigators
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Roseann C. Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
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Dr. Roseann Schaaf is professor and chair in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson College of Health Professions and Faculty at the Farber Institute for Neuroscience at Jefferson. Dr. Schaaf is a translational scientist who has devoted her career to the study of children with autism and other developmental disorders, in particular how processing and integrating sensory information impacts participation in daily occupations. Building on her training as a behavioral neuroscientist, Dr. Schaaf's psychophysiological laboratory was funded by NIH and provided insight into the neurological mechanisms of sensory difficulties in children with autism.She has received over 35 funded grants totaling $8 million dollars including a recent $4.1 million dollar grant from the NIH to conduct a comparative effectiveness study of occupational therapy using sensory integration. This grant is in collaboration with her colleagues at Einstein Medical College and Queens University and includes a multisensory integration biomarker as an objective outcome measure of neuroplasticity. Roseann has over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and abstracts, is the author of five books and 13 book chapters and has presented over 150 papers and presentations spanning national and international venues. She is a 2008 recipient of the A. Jean Ayres Research Award and a 1996 recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Dr. Schaaf became an associate editor of OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health in 2017.
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Sophie Molholm, Ph.D Director of the CNL
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Dr. Sophie Molholm is the Director of both the CNL and the HCP. She also serves on the faculty of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine as a professor in the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Neuroscience, and was appointed the Muriel and Harold Block Faculty Scholar in Mental Illness. Dr. Molholm is interested in how the human brain processes and integrates sensory inputs to impact perception and behavior, and the role of attention therein. Her work involves characterizing thse processes in healthy adults, charting their developmental course over childhood, and translating these findings to understand the neurobiology of developmental disorders, with an emphasis on autism. Non-invasive high-density recordings of the electrical activity of the brain, intracranial recordings in patients, psychophysics and magentic resonance imaging are her primary tools of investigation. She has funding for her research from NIMH, NSF, and private foundations.
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Elizabeth M. Ridgway, OTD
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Elizabeth “Liz” is the Assistant Chief of Occupational Therapy and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Rose F. Kennedy Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC) at Montefiore. She is a master clinician in occupational therapy with over 35 years of experience working with children with developmental disabilities and adults with neurological disorders. Dr. Ridgway has specialty certification in Neuro- Developmental Treatment (NDT)/Bobath both for Adults and for Children with Cerebral Palsy and is certified in Sensory Integration. Dr. Ridgway is involved in clinical research including: family centered practice for individuals who have had a stroke; children with birth brachial plexus injuries; adults with spina bifida; children with sensory processing disorder; and most recently was funded as a co-investigator in an R01 research study examining the efficacy of sensory integration treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has a passion for promoting a multidisciplinary clinical voice in translational research including patients, families, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals in research.
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Zoe Mailloux, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
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Zoe Mailloux, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA is nationally and internationally recognized for her expertise in child development, sensory integration, autism, test development and occupational therapy. With more than 35 years of experience, Zoe has been a champion for increasing understanding of individual differences, with the aim of enhancing participation in meaningful ways, for people of all abilities.
As research assistant to Dr. A. Jean Ayres, the originator of sensory integration theory, Zoe began her career with a dedication to recognizing the importance of early sensory and motor experiences on learning and behavior. With more than 30 years, experience in executive leadership of non-profit therapy practices, Zoe has been known for developing innovative programs to support children and families. She also has an impressive record of research and scholarship, with more than 30 published journal articles and textbook chapters and over 500 presentations at workshops and conferences, worldwide. Currently, Zoe is on the faculty of the Thomas Jefferson University Occupational Therapy OTD and Advanced Practice Certificate in Autism.
As research assistant to Dr. A. Jean Ayres, the originator of sensory integration theory, Zoe began her career with a dedication to recognizing the importance of early sensory and motor experiences on learning and behavior. With more than 30 years, experience in executive leadership of non-profit therapy practices, Zoe has been known for developing innovative programs to support children and families. She also has an impressive record of research and scholarship, with more than 30 published journal articles and textbook chapters and over 500 presentations at workshops and conferences, worldwide. Currently, Zoe is on the faculty of the Thomas Jefferson University Occupational Therapy OTD and Advanced Practice Certificate in Autism.