Susan Stark, PhD OTR/L

Background: Susan Stark, PhD received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Health Science from Alma College in Alma, Michigan.  In 1989, she went on to receive her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University Medical School, Program in Occupational Therapy in St. Louis. After practicing occupational therapy in hospital and community practice areas, she returned to teach at Washington University.  She completed her Ph.D. in Environmental and Behavior Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1998.  Dr. Stark is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, The Gerontological Society of America, and The Environmental Design Research Association.  Dr. Stark currently serves as the representative from the American Occupational Therapy Association to the World Health Organization for the International Classification of Impairment Disability and Handicap.  Dr. Stark is the principal investigator in the Environment and Occupational Performance Laboratory at Washington University School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy where she conducts studies of the outcome of environmental modification interventions on the lives of older adults and persons with disabilities.  She currently conducts research on the impact of environmental barriers on the social participation of individuals who have disabilities and teaches courses on environmental modification.  Dr. Stark is also one of the co-investigators for the Centers for Disease Control project, “Development of a Community Health Environment Checklist”.

Contributions to Project: Dr. Stark provides consultation to the project regarding assistive technology for the home. She also studies the match between AT and the home environment, ensuring that individuals are able to make use of their AT in their home environment.  She also contributes to the Assistive Technology Consumers’ Fairs and Educational Conferences.

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