faculty & staff

Rebecca Bollinger is a registered and licensed occupational therapist in the Participation, Environment and Participation Laboratory. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Emory University and her OTD from Washington University in St. Louis. Rebecca has prior research experience with home modifications and assistive technology for adults and older adults, as well as in family-based behavioral treatments for children and their families. Rebecca serves as the study coordinator and occupational therapist for the falls and Alzheimer disease study. She also coordinated the retention of participants in longitudinal studies of Alzheimer disease project, co-coordinates the Missouri Aging and Disability Research Network for the DRRP study, and assists with home visits as needed for the COMPASS II and DRRP studies.

Sherdonna Denholm manages the office of the Participation, Environment and Performance Laboratory, where she is also the personal assistant to Dr. Stark. Sherdonna supports the administrative needs of ongoing studies as well as oversees student training and work in the lab. She is also one of the coordinators for the Missouri Aging and Disability Research Network for the DRRP. Sherdonna graduated from Clayton State University and writes and records her own music.

Megen Devine is a medical editor and technical writer with the Program in Occupational Therapy. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree from Saint Louis University. For the Participation, Environment and Performance Laboratory, she manages manuscripts both pre- and post-publication, edits grant applications, and manages knowledge translation activities including developing newsletters, social media content, infographics and lay-friendly summaries of projects and publications.

Tyra Fowler is a certified licensed occupational therapy assistant in the Participation, Environment and Performance Laboratory. She earned an associate of applied science degree  from the occupational therapy assistant program at St. Louis Community College Meramec. Tyra has prior knowledge working with older adults, holding over seven years of clinical occupational therapy experience working in the acute care setting. She serves as an interventionist for various studies, assisting with recruitment, conducting residential engagement activities and implementing interventions with participants.

Meghan Haxton is a certified licensed occupational therapy assistant in the Participation, Environment and Performance Laboratory. She earned associate of arts and associate of applied science degrees from the occupational therapy assistant program at St. Louis Community College–Meramec. She has over 20 years of experience managing teams in retail settings. She currently completes follow-up interviews and home visits for the COMPASS II and falls & AD studies.

Brianna Holden is a registered and licensed occupational therapist in the Participation, Environment and Performance Laboratory. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and religious studies from Regis University and her MSOT from Washington University in St. Louis. She previously worked as an occupational therapist in acute care and as a fieldwork student under Dr. Stark, where she developed an interest in both research and clinical intervention in the areas of geriatrics, environmental modifications and community accessibility. She coordinates and conducts home visits for COMPASS II, DRRP and other studies.

Holly Hollingsworth is a research statistician for the Participation, Environment and Performance Laboratory. He also supports the research activities of other laboratories. Holly earned his doctoral degree in applied statistics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He recently retired as an Associate Research Professor in the Washington University in St. Louis Program in Occupational Therapy, where he contributed to the development of instruments and analyses of measures of activity participation in the community for people with disabilities. He has reviewed nearly 300 papers for Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and has reviewed grant applications for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research for over 20 years.

Missy Krauss is a senior statistical data analyst in the Participation, Environment and Performance Laboratory. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Fontbonne University and her master’s degree in public health with a concentration in epidemiology and biostatistics from Saint Louis University School of Public Health. Missy has prior research experience in a wide range of clinical and public health areas, including patient safety, mental health, substance use and evaluation of community programs. She is especially interested in interventions that aim to improve the physical and mental well-being of vulnerable populations, including supporting older adults to age in place.

Katie Storey is a PRN professional rater in the Participation, Environment and Performance Laboratory. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Luther College and her MSOT from Washington University in St. Louis. Katie is interested in cognitive rehabilitation, occupational justice, and environmental modifications. She assists as needed with the manuscript publication process for PEPL studies.

Dana Sutter currently works as the lab manager for the Participation Environment and Performance Lab. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX, and her MSOT from Washington University in St. Louis. She has clinical occupational therapy experience in inpatient rehabilitation, acute care and skilled nursing. Her previous research experience with Dr. Stark and the late Dr. David Gray looking at home modifications and community accessibility for persons with disabilities laid the foundation for much of the current research being done in the PEPLab. Dana also brings management experience from previously owning and running an orthotics and prosthetics company.