Playfulness, Growth and Development Lab

Dr. Amiya Waldman-Levi’s main research focus is on mental health determinants such as adversity as well as its impact on an individual’s social and emotional functioning. Comprised two distinct research areas, Child and Family Social and Emotional Well-being and Aging and Resilience, her research yielded a commonality between the two. Dr. Waldman-Levi's scholarly contributions are both conceptual and methodological as she draws a connection between psychological theories and occupational therapy knowledge basis. Her research has been supported by internal and external grants and disseminated nationally and internationally.

Full Faculty Bio  I 

I grew up in Toronto, Canada and moved to Las Vegas to pursue my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During my doctoral studies, I took on the role as the lab manager for the playfulness, growth and development lab. I was involved in several studies: Exploring Antisemitism Among College Students, Caregiver’s Tier 2 Intervention Study, and worked on a Katz School faculty grant funded project developing a technology-based behavioral assessment. The scope of my work includes data collection, review of literature, and the creation of surveys. 

As an OT student, my interests include child development, pediatric feeding disorders, and feeding therapy. My goal is to become a well-rounded OT, continuously involved in research and the community. I am excited to continue my growth in research and expand my skills set.

Originally from Los Angeles, CA, I earned my psychology degree from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. I have worked as a volunteer program coordinator at The Friendship Circle, launching mental health initiatives and gaining experience with children with autism. I also have experience in technology and data management, which I have used to improve program efficiency and engagement. 

As an OT student and research assistant, I am excited to join the Katz Faculty funded project, "Developing Technology-Based Behavioral Assessment," which aligns with my goals of enhancing therapeutic interventions for children and families. My ultimate goal is to blend my passion for research and hands-on therapy to create impactful solutions that enrich the lives of children and families.

I am originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA where I completed my undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology and linguistics from Temple University. I have experience working with children and risk assessment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My capstone project focuses on the resilience of children aged 2-5 years and their families through a tier 1 strength-based, educational training. My fieldwork experience has prepared me to take on this project by learning how to assess and formulate developmentally appropriate evidence-based treatment plans to promote desired outcomes in the population of both children and adults. In the future, I look forward to working in a hospital or outpatient clinic with at-risk populations.

Project Focus: Family Resilience

As a Seattle, WA native, I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Washington. I continued my education at the University College London where I received a Master's in Infancy and Early Childhood Development. There, I participated in research on the effects of the ketogenic diet on children with epilepsy to determine if children could remain seizure free after discontinuing the ketogenic diet. My interest in research continued as a research assistant at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences. During my doctoral studies, my interests have included pediatric disability, parental education, and hand therapy. 

Through my education I hope to cultivate an environment that is thoughtful, inclusive, and equitable for all my clients. I look forward to continuing to develop these skills while on the Family Resilience research team, looking into the effect of play on parental and child relationships. 

Project Focus: Family Resilience

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, I completed my undergraduate studies in Psychology at Brooklyn College. Prior to starting my doctorate, I volunteered in several outreach programs internationally and within the US that allowed me to experience working with a range of populations, including children from underprivileged communities and Holocaust survivors. Through my fieldwork experience as an OT student, I developed an interest in sensory integration and play, particularly with children who have cognitive, motor, and developmental disabilities. Being a student, I also gained an interest in understanding how to approach student mental health, specifically, students in medical health programs. I am excited to be a part of the student resilience team as it aligns with my interests in student mental health and helping others participate in meaningful activities to lead purposeful lives.

Project Focus: Student Resilience

I am from Sayreville, New Jersey, and attended Rutgers University - Newark during my undergraduate studies, having pursued a major in Psychology and a minor in Biology. I learned a great deal from my coursework as well as partaking in research, some of which involved mental health, nutritional habits, and the state of well-being in adult populations. As an OT student, I am interested in inclusion and accessibility for all populations, the effects of purposeful activities on aging individuals, and emphasizing the importance of health in one’s development and related factors. My goal is to become an occupational therapist that brings something new to the table for underserved and general communities, and I believe that my presence in research will serve as a strong foundation. 

I am happy to be part of the development of healthy aging and wellness intervention protocols for older adults facing social isolation. This research aligns with my background knowledge of different mental health conditions, and my interests in client education and the role of occupational therapy treatment in geriatric populations. 

Project Focus: Healthy Aging