Preethy Sarah Samuel

Preethy Sarah Samuel, Ph.D., serves as an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy department within Wayne State University's Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She holds a dual affiliation as Faculty Affiliate of the Developmental Disabilities Institute (Michigan's UCEDD), where she previously directed research from 2006-2010. Her academic trajectory at WSU progressed from Part-Time Faculty (2007-2010) to Assistant Professor (2011-2018) before her current promotion.

Her educational credentials include:

• PhD in Sociology from Wayne State University (2006)
• Master of Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University (2002)
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Christian Medical College, Vellore, India (1998)

Dr. Samuel's research program centers on quality-of-life metrics for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and chronic conditions, with emphasis on family caregiving dynamics and patient-centered outcomes for socioeconomically marginalized populations. She pioneers secondary analysis of large datasets to address health disparities while developing interventions to improve educational outcomes for disabled youth. Her methodological rigor bridges occupational therapy practice with sociological frameworks.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow of the Michigan Occupational Therapy Association (2016)
• EACPHS Faculty Research Award (2012)
• National Merit Switzer Research Fellowship (2008)
• Multiple graduate fellowships and teaching awards from Wayne State and Loma Linda Universities (2000-2005)

As an educator, she mentors students through foundational courses like Occupational Therapy Research III and Health Conditions I, while securing research funding including the Switzer Fellowship. Her teaching excellence is reflected in course development spanning aging populations to physical disabilities practice.

She actively contributes to the American Occupational Therapy Association, Michigan Association of Occupational Therapists, and International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities. Her collaborative work with the Developmental Disabilities Institute drives community initiatives like Lori's Hands, which connects WSU students with Detroit healthcare outreach while advancing disability inclusion research.