Lorie Richards

Lorie Richards is an Associate Professor in Occupational & Recreational Therapies and Adjunct Associate Professor in Physical Therapy & Athletic Training at the University of Utah. With appointments dating back to 2011 and current positions established in 2016, she has established herself as a prominent researcher and educator in stroke rehabilitation and neuroplasticity. Her work bridges clinical practice and research, focusing on developing evidence-based interventions for stroke recovery.

Dr. Richards earned her BS in Occupational Therapy from Elizabethtown College, followed by an MS and PhD in Experimental Psychology from Syracuse University with emphasis in cognitive neuropsychology. Her early career included three years as a clinical therapist before returning to academia. She held faculty positions at the University of Kansas Medical Center and University of Florida, where she was a Research Health Scientist with the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, before joining the University of Utah in 2011 to chair the Division of Occupational Therapy.

Her primary research focuses on developing and refining motor rehabilitation based on principles of neuroplasticity and motor learning for stroke patients. She conducts clinical trials using clinical assessments, kinematic analysis, TMS, and fMRI to measure changes in arm/hand function and neural activity. Recent work has expanded to include other populations with motor impairments and cognitive/visual rehabilitation. Her most recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a continued focus on innovative stroke rehabilitation approaches including telerehabilitation, myoelectric orthoses, and dyadic interventions for improving resilience and mental health after stroke.

Dr. Richards has secured significant funding for her research, including multiple NIH and VA grants. Current projects include a novel multimodal approach to promote motor recovery after stroke (2025-2027) and development of an Electronic Grip Gauge for assessing fine sensorimotor function (2025-2027). She has served on numerous scientific advisory boards including for Myomo, Inc. and NINDS, and has been active in professional organizations including the American Occupational Therapy Association and American Heart Association.

• Doris A. Gordon Award (2021)
• Inducted into the Roster of Fellows, American Occupational Therapy Association (2018)
• Elected as a Fellow, American Heart Association (2015)
• Inaugural member, American Occupational Therapy Foundation, Leaders and Legacies Society (2015)

Dr. Richards teaches courses including Capstone in OT, Evidence for Practice, Research Methods, and Special Topics in Occupational Therapy. Her teaching spans multiple semesters with consistent offerings from 2022-2024. Her research program involves collaboration with numerous colleagues across institutions, as evidenced by her extensive publication record and grant funding. She has contributed significantly to advancing understanding of stroke rehabilitation through both clinical research and educational efforts, including participation in the Sex and Gender Health Education Summit.