Ruth Segal

Ruth Segal, Ph.D., OTR, serves as Department Chair and Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Seton Hall University's Interprofessional Health Sciences Campus. She leads the department with dedication to academic excellence and celebrates her graduates' professional achievements.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California (1995)
• M.A. in Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California (1989)
• B.S. in Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California (1987)

Research Focus: Dr. Segal's scholarship centers on teaching and learning methodologies in occupational therapy education, with particular emphasis on academic resilience. Her work explores caregiving dynamics, aging processes, wellness promotion, and the experiences of parents of children with disabilities. Through qualitative research, she investigates how individuals and families construct meaning through occupation during life challenges including bereavement, disability, and chronic conditions.

Publication Trends: Her 20+ year publication record reveals consistent focus on family occupations and disability, with increasing attention to educational interventions. Early work examined ADHD family dynamics (1998-2000), evolving to caregiver experiences (2002-2006), and recently emphasizing student resilience and interprofessional training (2010-present). The research demonstrates methodological rigor in qualitative approaches applied to occupational science.

Scientific Awards: No specific awards or fellowships are documented in the provided materials.

Grant Leadership:

• Project Transitions (2023-2028): $1.18M federal grant developing OT/SLP training for ASD school transitions
• Project Write to Learn (2017-2022): $1.23M program improving writing interventions for children with learning disabilities
• Resilience Training (2022-present): $15K university-funded study on student academic resilience

Academic Contributions: Dr. Segal teaches graduate research methods courses (GMOT 7303/7320) and mentors student researchers through federally funded projects. Her scholarship bridges clinical practice and education, with current work focusing on interprofessional collaboration and student development.

Research Ecosystem: She directs interdisciplinary teams through OSEP-funded initiatives, creating dynamic research environments where OT/SLP students collaborate on pediatric interventions. These projects function as living laboratories for developing evidence-based practices in school-based and community settings.