Mary Lawlor

Mary Lawlor is a Professor and Associate Chair of Research at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, with a joint appointment in the Department of Pediatrics. She holds a ScD in Therapeutic Studies from Boston University (1989), an EdM from Harvard (1975), and a BS in Occupational Therapy (1972). Her research focuses on pediatric occupational therapy, family-centered care, and ethnographic studies of healthcare experiences.

Education:

• ScD (Therapeutic Studies), Boston University, 1989
• EdM (Harvard Graduate School of Education), 1975
• BS (Occupational Therapy), Boston University, 1972

Research interests include:

• Cultural influences on healthcare
• Interdisciplinary service delivery models
• Autism and neurodevelopmental disorders

Her landmark Boundary Crossings project (15+ years, $5.5M in funding) explored family experiences of pediatric illness. Awards include the Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship (2023), the highest honor in occupational therapy.

Grants: Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Education, AOTF.

Labs/Teams: Help Group-USC Occupational Science Initiative, fostering social participation for individuals with autism.