Erika Kemp, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Dr. Kemp is the Director of the AquOTic research lab, and a Clinical Associate Professor and Program Director of the Occupational Therapy Program at The Ohio State University. Dr. Kemp received her post-professional occupational therapy doctorate degree from Indiana University in August, 2016. She earned her post-professional Master of Science in occupational therapy degree from Boston University in 2007 and her Bachelor of Science in Allied Health/Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University in 2000. These academic experiences fueled her interest in the use of evidence-based practice in community settings, and increased her desire to affect the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners. She holds the AOTA Board Certification in Pediatrics, has completed the WPS/USC Certificate in Sensory Integration and also has advanced training in aquatic therapy and feeding with children. She is currently serving as the Chair of the Commission on Education, a standing committee of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Dr. Kemp’s research interests lie in the use of therapeutic swim intervention to help prevent drowning in children with disabilities. She developed and begun to test AquOTic, an aquatic occupational therapy based swim intervention for children on the autism spectrum, which she is also modifying for children with cerebral palsy. In the last year she and 2 collaborators began the new Aquatic OT Community of Practice through AOTA. Additionally, she has experience coaching rowing and swimming for high school and adult able-bodied and adaptive athletes.
Isabella Sansone, OTD, OTR
Hometown: Bartlett, IL
Degree Program: PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The Ohio State University
Previous Education: Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University; Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Minor in Disability Studies from The Ohio State University
Project Role: Graduate Research Assistant
Professional Goals: I am passionate about developing community-based programs that increase access to services, support autistic individuals in meaningful activities, and promote inclusion, advocacy, and collaboration.
Lauren Quincy
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Degree Program: Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Class of 2026 at The Ohio State University
Previous Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology focused on child development from the University of San Diego
Project Role: Capstone Student
Professional Goals: My passion for occupational therapy comes from a desire to make activities and environments more accessible for all children through enhanced resources and program development. I love helping kids of all abilities build confidence and participate fully in the things that they both need and want to do. As both a swimmer and an occupational therapy student, I have loved being a part of the AquOTic program, where I can combine my love for the water with my goal of supporting child development in unique and creative ways!
Michaela Neal
Hometown: Powell, OH
Degree Program: Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Class of 2026 at The Ohio State University
Previous Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Human Health Sciences from the University of Kentucky
Project Role: Completing capstone project with AquOTic and South Western City Schools. I am specifically focusing on the impact of aquatic motor-based interventions on executive functioning skills in neurodivergent children, and I will be working on a quality improvement initiative. I have a special interest in improving executive functioning skills to help neurodivergent children enhance their engagement in academics, activities of daily living, and cognitive development.
Professional Goals: My passion for aquatics started when I was four years old! I was a competitive swimmer for 14 years and a synchronized swimmer for 3 years. I am very eager to be a part of the AquOTic OT lab and collaborate with AquOTic staff and families!
Katelin Shane
Hometown: Lewis Center, OH
Degree Program: Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Class of 2027 at The Ohio State University
Previous Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology and Health from Miami University
Project Role: Student assistance and a pediatric specialization student, with my current project focused on developing training videos for specific AquOTic stations. In this lab, I also serve as a student assistant, where I help communicate important information my job is to send out information to AquOTic families and assist with setting up and cleaning up activity stations.
Professional Goals: I joined AquOTic because I am passionate about working the pediatric and autistic population and creating an environment where every child can feel confident and safe in the water. My families personal experience with autism inspired my interest to helping children develop essential swim safety skills while building trust, confidence and joy through aquatic participation.
Arianna Rowe
Hometown: Dublin, OH
Degree Program: Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Class of 2027 at The Ohio State University
Previous Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences and Minor in Disability Studies from The Ohio State University
Project Role: Pediatric specialization student, with my ongoing project focused on identifying proper holding positions that therapists can use to help teach and guide children through various water safety skills. Additionally, I serve as a swim buddy, working one-on-one with children to promote swim safety and confidence in the water.
Professional Goals: I am passionate about working in pediatrics and have always found joy in teaching swim lessons, beginning at Goldfish Swim School. During my time there, I noticed a significant need for therapeutic integration within swim lessons to better support children with disabilities.
Paisley Johnson
Hometown: Lewis Center, OH
Degree Program: Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Class of 2027 at The Ohio State University
Previous Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Minor in American Sign Language Studies from The Ohio State University
Project Role: Pediatric specialization, with my current project focused on creating an American Sign Language resource folder to support practitioners in beginning their ASL journey. This resource aims to promote understanding of how ASL can be integrated into our lab and enhance awareness of Deaf culture. In this lab, I also serve as a swim buddy and developed the ASL/terminology page on our AquOTic blog.
Professional Goals: I am passionate in working with pediatric and Deaf/Hard of hearing populations. My background as a swim teacher sparked my interest for helping children learn to swim safely which inspired me to join the AquOTic research lab.
Kailynn Davis
Hometown: Pleasantville, OH
Degree Program: Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Class of 2028 at The Ohio State University
Previous Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences from The Ohio State University
Project Role: Research Assistant
Professional Goals: I am passionate in working with the pediatric population and providing a safe, supportive and empowering environment. I joined the AquOTic Lab because I have always loved being in the water, which drove my passion to help others learn water safety and swim skills.
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Degree Program: Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Class of 2028 at The Ohio State University
Previous Education: Bachelor of Cello Performance at Utah State University
Caroline Ginder
Hometown: Loveland, OH
Degree Program: Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Class of 2028 at The Ohio State University
Previous Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Minor in Global Public Health from
Program Role: Pediatric Research Specialization with AquOTic, I am in the starting phases working on the direction it will go. Additionally, I am a swim buddy.
Professional Goals: I’m driven by the idea of helping people work through challenges to reach their goals. AquOTic helps me explore that passion while learning more about pediatric occupational therapy.