Rebecca Lassell, PhD, OTR/L

How did you first find out about Clin-STAR and the pilot grant program?

I first learned about Clin-STAR through my primary mentor, Dr. Ab Brody.

What inspired you to pursue aging research and how does your perspective as a non-geriatrician specialist contribute to your research activity?

I became interested in aging research during my PhD, when I saw the value of participating in nature activities involving horses to support quality of life for people living with dementia. I also became aware of the inequities in access to outdoor activities that many older adults and people living with dementia experience. My Clin-STAR project involving green activity prescriptions seeks to address this need.

As an occupational therapist (OT), I view health and well-being through the lens of occupation. Occupations are everyday activities that people do (individually or with others) to occupy time that bring meaning and purpose to life (World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 2012). Occupations include activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, health management, social participation, and leisure activities like walking or gardening, among others (AOTA, 2020). My disciplinary expertise as an OT and prior clinical practice tailoring nature-based activities to improve my patients’ health and well-being informed my Clin-STAR pilot focused on green activity prescriptions delivered as an occupational therapy intervention.

In your view, what does Clin-STAR mean to the field and what does it mean for you to receive a Clin-STAR pilot grant now?

Clin-STAR is doing impactful work in fostering transdisciplinary networking, training, and mentorship to support early career investigators like me across a range of disciplines, which is crucial to advancing the field of aging research.

I am deeply honored to receive a Clin-STAR pilot grant. This is the first grant I’ve received as a PI, which makes it extra special. This award enabled me to receive transdisciplinary mentorship from Dr. Gitlin, an intervention scientist and Distinguished University Professor from Drexel University who is an internationally renowned expert in dementia care and implementation science and is well known for developing numerous successful interventions, including the Tailored Activity Program for people living with dementia. Additionally, this award has enabled transdisciplinary partnerships with my academic mentor in community partnerships Dr. Zwerling, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Montefiore Einstein Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease in the Bronx, and my community advisor, Dr. Torres, President and CEO of R.A.I.N. Total Care who provides a range of supportive services to older adults living in the Bronx with lower resources. I am continuing to receive mentorship from my primary mentor, Dr. Brody, a nurse practitioner and from Dr. Mathy Mezey, Professor of Geriatric Nursing at NYU Meyers College of Nursing, and the Associate Director of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. I am incredibly grateful to my mentors Drs. Brody, Gitlin, and Zwerling, and my community advisor, Dr. Torres for their support.

Clin-STAR has been vitally important in my development as an early-career investigator. I am excited to see the positive impact that Clin-STAR continues to make on the next generation of transdisciplinary aging researchers!

What’s exciting about your research’s potential impact to your career, field, and patients?

This study has the potential to have a high impact on the health and well-being of people living with memory loss from Hispanic/Latino groups who experience disproportionately higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Moreover, the developed protocol can easily be adapted to other geographic locations and populations.

How have you collaborated with your mentor or co-investigators?

My team is comprised of my mentors Drs. Brody, Gitlin, and Zwerling, community advisor Dr. Torres, and my community partners. I’m currently working with my community advisor and community partners including R.A.I.N., Montefiore Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease, CaringKind, and JASA for recruitment. I will be collaborating with three groups of stakeholders during the pilot: 1) people living with memory loss and their families, 2) healthcare providers and dementia care experts, and 3) outdoor recreation professionals to co-design the intervention using focus groups. I’ll be identifying stakeholder preferences for green activities, intervention delivery, outcomes of interest, and preferred recruitment strategies. I’ll also be receiving stakeholder input after the intervention using a program evaluation to guide refinements to the protocol. My mentors have been providing valuable input and support along the way.