Shani Marcelle, OTD Student

My name is Shani Marcelle, and I am a second-year doctoral student in occupational therapy at The George Washington University. I am a South Florida native of Caribbean descent and an alumna of the University of West Florida, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2017. In 2023, I graduated from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences as an occupational therapy assistant, where I gained valuable experience working with diverse patient populations. My hands-on experience as an OTA/S and former rehab aide deepened my passion for helping individuals regain function and independence and inspired me to further my education.

My CAP project examines the effects of task-oriented training assisted by a force-feedback hand rehabilitation robot on grasping function in stroke patients. This research reflects my interest in combining innovative technology with meaningful occupations to support client recovery following an injury, illness, or natural senescence. I am particularly passionate about integrating gardening and nature-based interventions into OT practice to promote holistic healing. As a wife, mother, and dedicated student, I bring a whole-person perspective to my work as a student. My professional goal is to integrate occupational therapy and horticulture in non-traditional settings, supporting individuals across the lifespan to restore physical, cognitive, and social function through purposeful engagement with nature.