Current Student Bios

Ariana is an Occupational Therapist practicing in the pediatric population focusing on supporting populations with developmental delays and disabilities. She is a proud New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn, and now a current Doctoral Candidate at the NYU Steinhart Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. Ariana chose to pursue higher education at NYU after receiving a BS in Human Development from the University at Albany, and a combined BS/MS in Occupational Therapy from Touro University.

Ariana plans to bring her knowledge of skilled intervention to her native country of Kosovo, where the growing demand for occupational therapy services is met by a critical shortage of skilled clinicians. She currently collaborates with local families to provide Pro bono evaluations and intervention plans in the hopes of expanding into an operational practice in the coming years. Ariana’s mission is to facilitate education and training to the new generation of Occupational Therapists in the Balkans. 

Before she immersed herself in the field of Occupational Therapy Ariana worked as a special educator and applied behavior analyst where she discovered the reward of nurturing young minds. 

When she is not traveling or listening to podcasts about neuroscience, psychology, or history, she can be found spending time with her dear family and friends— who are the great supporters of her life’s mission. 

Valerie Aziegbe is an Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and Certified Ergonomics Evaluator (COEE). Valerie received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virginia in 2014 and master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University in 2019. She has always had a passion for orthopedic rehabilitation and started her career in hand therapy. She currently works at NYU Langone Orthopedic center where she specializes in treatment of the hand and upper extremity. She has lectured at Rusk Rehabilitation’s annual splinting course. Her clinical areas of interest include shoulder and elbow rehabilitation, sports rehabilitation neurological conditions and orthotic fabrication. She is currently pursuing her occupational therapy doctorate at NYU to further develop her clinical skills and interventions that will help propel the occupational therapy profession forward.

In her free time, Valerie enjoys hiking, traveling, Muay Thai, rock climbing and scuba diving. 

Moving to the states 17 years ago from Haiti at 10 years old without her parents, Nakisha never thought that she would ever have the opportunity to be the individual she is today. Nakisha graduated from NYU with her masters in occupational therapy in 2022. Although she hasn’t  been an OT for too long,  she has learned and accomplished a lot since graduation. Nakisha has always been interested in physical disabilities and her placement for her level 2 fieldwork at Kessler institute on the spinal cord floor confirmed that passion for her as it was both challenging and an amazing learning experience. However, after graduation Nakisha started working at a school where her love for pediatrics developed. The timing of working in pediatrics was perfect as Nakisha also became a mother. She has been working in a school for the past two years. At the end of last year, she became a school initial evaluator for a contractor agency in which she covers evaluations in Somerset county, Middlesex county, Essex and Union county. Nakisha also works in early intervention and has a caseload with adult clients in group homes. The clients in the group homes hold a special place in her heart as she worked as a group home employee for 8 years while completing her undergraduate and graduate degree. Her goal is to go back to physical disabilities in pediatrics as she believes every child has the right to grow and live a fulfilling life despite their disabilities. Nakisha is looking forward to starting the NYU post-professional OTD program, where she plans to develop her leadership skills and competency within this practice.

Grace Denfeld is a New Jersey native working in a non-traditional O.T. role in Yonkers, NY.  Her background includes working with neurotypical and neurodivergent children from ages 3 to 18+ in classrooms and community programs in various professional and volunteer roles. She received both her Bachelor of Science in Occupation and Health and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. 

In 2023, Grace joined The Afya Foundation as the Senior Manager of Education and Training Services, working closely with the incredible occupational therapy fieldwork students, volunteers and interns, and community partners to create a stimulating and safe environment for people with and without disabilities. She is continuing to grow their programs so the person-centered, evidence-based opportunities Afya offers can benefit as many people in Westchester county as possible, including teens with autism and incarcerated adults. Grace also dedicates time to attend professional conferences, guest lecture at local universities, and improve her clinical skills throughout the year.

She is passionate about occupational justice, and hopes her time at NYU strengthens her ability to implement those core values into her everyday work. When she is not at Afya, Grace ensures there is occupational balance in her own life by traveling, singing karaoke in the car, and trying new restaurants with loved ones!

Milan Johnson, a native New Yorker, was born in Manhattan and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey since the age of 4. She attended Teaneck High School and is a proud graduate of Syracuse University and recently earned a Master’s Degree from New York University.

Over the past two years, she has gained hands-on experience as a pediatric Occupational Therapist Aide in various therapeutic settings, including feeding therapy, aquatic therapy, school-based occupational therapy, and outpatient occupational therapy. This role has allowed her to translate the theoretical knowledge from her studies into practical application, helping children navigate daily challenges through occupational therapy.

Milan's passion for working with pediatric patients stems from her belief that children with disabilities are often misunderstood and unfairly stigmatized. She is deeply committed to bridging this gap by raising awareness and fostering empathy. She leverages her creativity, adaptability, and personable nature to make a meaningful impact in the lives of these children.

Pursuing an Occupational Therapy Doctorate will enable her to deepen her knowledge, enhance her skills, and expand her understanding of evidence-based practices, research methodologies, and specialized interventions. These critical elements will help her evolve into a more effective occupational therapist.

Runa Koli is a healthcare director and occupational therapist with over 12 years of experience spanning multiple areas of healthcare, including service delivery, business strategy, risk management, and quality assurance. She specializes in evaluations of patients to design holistic care plans incorporating medical, physical, and social needs to improve health and reduced risk for re-hospitalization with a proven record of improved outcomes in numerous health systems across NJ, NY, PA, MA, and CA. She is actively engaged in medical humanitarian projects to serve the underserved in Africa, India, and Jamaica. She is currently a doctorate candidate at NYU to further advance her passion for improving health and well-being through innovations. 

Pat is an Occupational Therapist based in California. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in disability studies from UCLA. During this time, she developed the desire to pursue a meaningful career that allowed for opportunities to make a difference in other people’s lives. To achieve this goal, she pursued her master’s degree in occupational therapy at Stanbridge University in Irvine, where she was able to discover the scope and many possibilities that occupational therapy can provide.

Her very first job after OT school was working in acute care and acute rehab. It was during this time when she learned about her passion and interest for working with the neurological population, especially with individuals who had a stroke. She became fascinated with seeing the connection between the brain and the body, which led her to developing a thirst for knowledge in this specific area.

As driven as she is, she pursued her first specialty certification in OT and became a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist (CSRS). She is excited to learn more about the different ways that she can make a meaningful difference to individuals who had a stroke. Furthermore, because Pat is very passionate about OT, she also assumed the role of a teaching assistant for an entry-level OT program in California. She hopes to impart her clinical knowledge and share her enthusiasm with aspiring future OTs.

A very valuable addition to her many hats, Pat hopes to complete her post-professional degree in OT at NYU to further advance her clinical competence and enhance skills that will enable her to become a skilled evidence-based and innovative OT practitioner and educator.

Danielle is an occupational therapist with a strong background in pediatrics and school-based practice. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Occupational Therapy from Kean University and has dedicated her career to supporting children in developing functional, social, and academic skills. Currently pursuing her Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at NYU, Danielle is focused on advancing her expertise in evidence-based interventions and leadership within the field. She is also the founder of her own LLC, Dani-OT, where she provides individualized therapy services to children in their homes and communities. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children, Lily and Joey.

Laurie is a practicing certified Hand Therapist in East Meadow, New York, with over 20 years of experience.   Once she received her BS from Quinnipiac University in 2000, she began practicing as an OT in a long term care facility in NYC.   After 3 years, she started her journey into Hand Therapy and worked as a hand and upper extremity therapist for NYU students at their Healthcare Center on the NYC campus.  She attended classes in the evening to earn her post-professional Master's degree at NYU and received her MA in 2005.  She spent the next 15 years practicing Hand Therapy in private practice throughout NYC until the pandemic when she moved her career to Long Island.  She is now practicing as a CHT at NYU Langone Rusk Rehabilitation out in East Meadow, NY, where she created the Hand Therapy program and grew the practice to other NYU sites on Long Island.  Additionally Laurie sits on the Advisory Board for the OTD program at Wagner College.  In her free time she enjoys running, hiking, gardening, cooking and spending time with her husband, two children and dog.  

Sugnesh is an accomplished Occupational Therapist who earned his bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from India in 2010. Fourteen years ago, he immigrated to the USA, where he completed his B.S./M.S. in Occupational Therapy at Dominican University in Orangeburg, NY, in 2015.

With over eight years of clinical experience in sub-acute care, long-term acute care hospitals (LTACH), assisted living facilities, and home care, Sugnesh is a dedicated practitioner. His practice is deeply informed by a rich understanding of diverse cultures, philosophies, and perspectives, which enhances his ability to connect with and support the older adult population.

As the Assistant Director of Rehabilitation for over six years at CareOne in Morris, NJ, Sugnesh exemplifies strong leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative team environment. His passion for teaching drives him to supervise Level 1 and Level 2 occupational therapy fieldwork students, as he believes he serves as a vital bridge between academia and the professional world, preparing new OT graduates for successful careers. His mentorship and implementation of evidence-based practices have significantly improved the quality of care delivered to patients.

Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD), Sugnesh views creativity and passion as essential components of his professional journey. He believes that evidence-based interventions are crucial for addressing challenges and enhancing the quality of life for older adults. Through his doctoral work, Sugnesh aims to foster independence and create positive experiences that empower individuals to thrive.

Avery graduated from West Virginia University with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2022. Although from Pittsburgh, PA, Avery decided to stay in Morgantown after graduating to pursue her passion in pediatric occupational therapy. Avery will attend NYU for her post-professional OTD degree and continue to actively practice as a pediatric occupational therapist at an outpatient clinic. Avery is committed to helping her clients reach their fullest potential and impact lives through her practice as an occupational therapist. Outside of OT, Avery enjoys coaching competitive cheerleading, staying active, and traveling. She finds most joy in the impact her job as an occupational therapist can have on her clients and is eager to continue to learn and grow as a clinician through NYU’s OTD program! 

Kelly lives and works in Orlando, Florida but was born and raised outside of Detroit, Michigan. She works in a large metropolitan hospital, with the adult population in the cardiovascular department. The majority of her time is spent with critically ill patients in the Cardiovascular ICU and the Advanced Cardiac Surgical Unit. This is the focus of her portfolio, working to advance the presence of occupational therapy with advanced heart failure patients. Her career goals are to maintain her clinical work, continue to advance her cardiac skills, and teach and guest lecture. Additional career goals include leadership, publishing work on cardiac patient care with rehab, and movement toward executive roles in the hospital setting.

She is very close with her family: her parents, two sisters, and their families, including her adorable nieces and nephew. Kelly has a dog named Pavel who is her sidekick and goes almost everywhere with her. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and before the pandemic enjoyed going to the weekend farmer's markets and going out with friends, trying new and unique foods, and running.

Janvi is a doctoral candidate in the NYU Steinhardt Department of Occupational Therapy. While attending NYU for her OTD, she is concurrently working in New York City with school-aged children who have a wide range of diagnoses. She is also working with the residents of a group home to provide in-house healthcare services. She has a master's degree in Occupational Therapy from NYU and a bachelor's degree from India. Her research is focused on children with developmental disorders and their primary caregivers’ health and well-being. 

Jessie is a native Southern Californian. She graduated with a bachelor of arts in Psychology from USC in 2015. Jessie moved to New York City in 2015 to pursue her master of science in Occupational Therapy (OT) at New York University. She lived in Manhattan for two years and fell in love with the city. Her fieldwork placements included mental health in the Bronx, stroke rehabilitation at NYU Rusk Hospital, and school-based OT on the Lower East Side. Following her fieldwork, Jessie worked for two years at a pediatric clinic in Orange County. She recently moved to Hermosa Beach, CA to pursue a new adventure with PlaySense Kids Inc.  

Jessie has always been passionate about children, especially children with varying abilities and learning styles. She is excited to continue practicing sensory integrative, occupational therapy at PlaySense. She believes that every child is unique and their uniqueness should foster their growth, not hinder it.  

Jessie is a published author. Her article, "Safety and Feasibility of a First-Person View, Full-Body Interaction Game For Telerehabilitation Post- Stroke," was successfully published in the spring of 2018. In 2019, she received her first advanced certification; Certification in Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI). 

In her free time, Jessie is an avid yogi and surfer. She enjoys spinning, hiking, boxing, reading, church activities, and taking photographs on her polaroid. She jumps at any opportunity to be outside and in the water. Jessie loves to spend quality time with her friends, family, and puppy, Cleo.