Karthik Mani

Karthik Mani serves as Assistant Professor and Interim Program Director in the Department of Occupational Therapy within the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Holding dual credentials from India (entry-level OT degree from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University) and the United States (post-professional OTD from Chatham University), he brings extensive clinical and administrative experience across international settings. As NBCOT Ambassador for Texas and Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FACOT), Dr. Mani bridges academic leadership with global professional advocacy.

His educational foundation includes:

• Entry-level Occupational Therapy degree from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University, India
• Post-professional Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from Chatham University, Pittsburgh

Dr. Mani's research program critically examines professional issues in occupational therapy practice and education, with concentrated expertise in global workforce development, low- and middle-income country contexts, outcome measurement systems, and population health frameworks. His scholarly output spans three books, two book chapters, and nearly 30 peer-reviewed articles addressing systemic challenges in the profession. Current investigations focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in OT education, pandemic recovery strategies, and evidence-based rehabilitation protocols.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant trajectories: (1) Global workforce strategy development through mixed-methods international consultations, (2) Systematic evaluations of return-to-work interventions for traumatic brain injury and robotic stroke rehabilitation, and (3) Rigorous exploration of racial equity in OT education through survey studies of Black student experiences. His methodology portfolio prominently features systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and mixed-methods approaches addressing real-world practice dilemmas.

Professional recognition includes:

• Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FACOT)
• NBCOT Ambassador for Texas (2021-present)

As Interim Program Director for UTMB's Entry-Level OTD program, Dr. Mani mentors doctoral students while leading curriculum innovation in anatomy education using Anatomage Table technology. His administrative leadership extends to national policy through the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill implementation in India. Beyond academia, he founded the Indian Occupational Therapists Think Tank (a non-profit advancing OT in India) and owns VOTC, an OT consultation practice.

Dr. Mani directs multiple initiatives including the Indian Occupational Therapists Think Tank (strengthening India's OT workforce), VOTC consultation practice (providing clinical expertise), and the Greater Houston Tamil Schools (where he serves as Pearland branch principal). These parallel commitments demonstrate his integration of professional advocacy with cultural preservation, particularly through Tamil language education for Houston-area youth.