Research Division

The Research Division identifies, implements and coordinates ASHT's research activities as defined in the strategic plan. Projects that currently fall under the Research Division include:

  • Development and support of a research community for members that are hand therapy researchers (at all levels of experience)
  • Monthly Journal Club
  • Student-Led Journal Club (typically offered a few times each semester)
  • Reviewing and grading of the scientific abstracts submitted for the ASHT Annual Meeting
  • Vetting of research surveys to be distributed to ASHT members
  • Promoting submissions to the Journal of Hand Therapy (via social media posts and in the ASHT Times and also through division publication and completion of studies)
  • Mentoring prospective researchers
  • Monthly research updates of hand therapy related research (from journals outside of the Journal of Hand Therapy)
  • Identifying new research grant opportunities
  • And collaborations with other ASHT divisions via webinars, podcasts and reviewing position papers



Research Division Director

Lori Algar, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Vice Division Director

Sarah Doerrer, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT 

Board Liaison

Kim McVeigh, MBA, OTR/L, CHT

Division Members

Ricardo G. Altahif, Jr., OTD, OTR, CHT

Cameron Aris, OTR/L, CHT

Priya Bakshi, OTD, OTR, CHT

Jamie L. Bergner, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, COMT

Krystal Brewington, OTR/L, OTD, CPAM, CHT

April Bryant, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Adrian Bueno, OTD, OTR, CHT

Lauren J. Chan, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Ashley Enke, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Sophie Goloff, MS, OTR/L, CHT

Chelsea Gonzalez, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Sarah Grate, EdD, OTR/L, CHT

Melanie Hubbuck, MS, OTD, OTR/L

Katherine Loomis, MA, OTR/L, CHT

Rose McAndrew, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Renee McDade, CHT

Taylor Pendergast, OTR/L, CHT

Alyssa Lynn Phillips, CScD, MOT, OTR/L

David Plutschack, OTD

Ashley Prokopiak, MOT, OTR/L, CHT

Christa Schestag, MS, OTR/L, CHT

Journal Club

Priya Bakshi, OTD, OTR, CHT (Chair)

Rose McAndrew, OTD, OTR/L, CHT(Chair)

Jamie L. Bergner, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, COMT

Nancy Byl, BS, MPH, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Sophie Goloff, MS, OTR/L, CHT

Melanie Hubbuck, MS, OTD, OTR/L

Katherine Loomis, MA, OTR/L, CHT

Renee McDade, OT, CHT

Alyssa Lynn Phillips, CScD, MOT, OTR/L

Victoria Priganc, PhD, OTR, CHT

Brocha Stern, PhD, OTR, CHT



Staff Liaison

Monica Barnaby


Interested in participating on a division, committee or ASHT project? Please review our current volunteer opportunities.