Jaime Daniel Leite Junior

Jaime Daniel Leite Junior is a Post-Doctoral Scholar at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. His academic focus revolves around understanding the lived experiences of marginalized populations, including those facing gender and sexual dissidence, racial inequities, and chronic health conditions. He holds a PhD in Occupational Therapy (2024, Universidade Federal de São Carlos), a residency in Mental Health (2019, Universidade Estadual de Campinas), and a BA in Occupational Therapy (2016, Universidade Federal de São Carlos).

His research integrates social occupational therapy and critical occupational science frameworks to address systemic inequities, particularly through intersectionality and antiracist lenses. Key areas include lifestyle interventions for chronic conditions, health equity for socially disadvantaged groups, and the role of occupational therapy in promoting social justice. His work emphasizes theoretical-methodological dialogues between Brazilian and international scholars to advance emancipatory practices.

Leite Junior leads the Lifestyle Redesign for Chronic Conditions (LRCC) research lab and collaborates with faculty mentor Dr. Beth Pyatak. His publications span topics such as LGBTQ+ healthcare access, racial disparities in education and healthcare, and historical contributions of marginalized figures to occupational therapy. He advocates for anti-racist pedagogy and policy reforms to ensure inclusive occupational participation.

Recent work includes a chapter on intersectionality theory in occupational therapy (2025), a scoping review of LGBTQ+ literature in OT (2022), and analyses of Black female student experiences in health programs (2021). His research bridges theoretical innovation with practical interventions to dismantle structural barriers faced by vulnerable populations.