Jesiah Bradshaw
Hey, my name is Jesiah Bradshaw. I am an undergraduate student at UIUC, majoring in kinesiology on a Pre-PT track currently commited to Washington University in St. Louis. In the DPQoL lab, I help with the iROLL projects and I am the lab coordinator. On campus, leadership postiions I hold include being the President of the Pi Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and a Resident Advisor for UIUC.
Ella Phalen
I am a sophomore Kinesiology major on the Pre-PT track. After earning a DPT, I plan to work to improve the lives of people with injuries/ disabilities through physical therapy. I’m very excited to learn more about disabilities through this lab and apply it to better serve my future patients!
Sydney Shannon
I am a sophomore majoring in kinesiology on the Pre-PT track. I have joined the DPQoL lab this semester Spring 2024 and I am working on the FEW study. I am hoping to gain research experience and make a difference in the lives of those with disabilities.
Vaishnavi Balmuri
Vaishnavi is a junior studying Interdisciplinary Health Sciences with a concentration in Health Diversity on the Pre-Med track. She joined the DPQoL Lab in the Summer 2024 and is working on the CREDIT study. She hopes to gain a holistic understanding of disabilities to make a difference in people’s lives one day!
Suhana Kashinathappa
Suhana is a sophomore majoring in MCB on a pre-med track and joined the DPQoL lab Fall semester of 2024. She is hoping to gain some research experience and to help spread awareness and learn more about disabilities to improve people’s lives.
Patrice Kao
Patrice is a Junior majoring in Statistics with a minor in Public Health. She joined the DPQoL lab Fall 2024 and is excited to help with research that can improve the lives of those with disabilities.
Gabriela Vittori
Hi, my name is Gabriela Vittori. I am an undergraduate student at UIUC studying Interdisciplinary Health Sciences on a Pre-Med track. I am currently joining the lab this fall and will be working on the iROLL study. I hope to learn how to advance my understanding of disability and help improve the lives of people with disabilities during my time in the lab and as a future healthcare worker.
Dylan Newman
Hello, my name is Dylan Newman, and I am a junior at the university. I am majoring in Integrative Biology with a minor in chemistry, on the pre-med track. I will be joining the DPQoL this upcoming semester, Fall 2025, and can’t wait to learn more about how I can help assist people with disabilities. No matter what project I work on, I hope to make an impact and carry on my research skills and experiences to help me succeed later in medical school.
Claire Skowron
Claire is a third-year undergraduate majoring in Chemistry and Statistics. She joined the DPQoL in Summer 2024 and is working on the FaMe project. She is passionate about health equity, epidemiology as well as healthcare and hopes her experience in the lab will enrich her understanding of these areas.
Avah Hitchcock
Avah Hitchcock is a junior studying kinesiology with a minor in psychology. After graduating from UIUC, Avah plans to attend occupational therapy school. She is passionate about improving quality of life for all individuals with disabilities and hopes to use the skills she learns in DPQoL to help her future patients!
Toni Reynolds
Toni is an undergraduate student studying Molecular and Cellular Biology, with a minor in chemistry, on the Pre-Medical track. Her passion for pediatric medicine has sparked a focus in advocation for patients with disability and neglect. On campus, she participates in her social sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi, while serving as the Vice President of Recruitment for the Illinois Panhellenic Council, and devoting time to her professional fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon. She is excited to join the lab in Fall 2025!
Misael Reyes
Hi, my name is Misael. I’m a third year undergraduate student and am planning to attend occupational therapy school in the fall of 2027. I am currently joining the iROLL research group and am looking forward to how I can assist those with a variety of disabilities. I eventually hope to bring these habits to my future patients as an occupational therapist.
Alicia Macleod
Hi! My name is Alicia Macleod. I am an HDFS major and have a minor in psychology and child health and well being. I plan to become an Occupational Therapist for kids with disabilities or severe medical conditions. I wanted to join the DPQoL lab because I wanted to gain research experience in a field related to my future career.
Naya Wu
Naya Wu, a junior from San Francisco, California, is majoring in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology. She joined the DPQoL Research Laboratory in Spring 2026 and is part of the iROLL study. She plans to get her master’s and become a mental health therapist. Outside of the lab, she is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-health honors society, Chi Omega, a social sorority, and Vitality Dance Team.