Sarah E. Anderson, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor - Clinical
Division of Occupational Therapy
443B Atwell Hall
453 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Professional Areas of Interest
- Assistive Technology & Digital Accessibility
- Virtual Reality Design & Implementation
- Health Impacts of Esports
- Adult & Pediatric Neurorehabilitation
- Clinical & Professional Education
Overview
I'm a clinician–scientist with expertise in pediatric and adult neurological and neurodevelopmental rehabilitation, as well as the development and implementation of virtual technologies. My work is driven by a commitment to inclusive design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation across healthcare, research, and education. I seek to enhance the impact and user experience of technology for both health professionals and community members.
I direct the Transdisciplinary Rehabilitation Extended Reality (T-REX) Lab, which investigates how individuals access, use, and benefit from technology for health-related purposes. My research focuses on the design, development, evaluation, and implementation of virtual reality (VR) and game-based interventions for health, particularly for individuals with cognitive and motor impairments in home and community settings. My broader scholarship also addresses implementation of evidence-based occupational therapy practices, ableism in education, the health impacts of esports, and the use of VR in clinical education. I have mentored learners across undergraduate, professional (OTD), staff, PhD, and postdoctoral levels.
My teaching centers on assistive and digital technologies, digital accessibility, esports, and games for health. She leads curriculum development in these areas and teaches across in-person and online formats, emphasizing evidence-based pedagogy, student engagement, and accessible course design.
I actively collaborates with colleagues within and beyond The Ohio State University. I also contribute to professional service through institutional affiliations and nonprofit board leadership, supporting initiatives in brain injury research, health equity, and gaming-related health.
Major Awards
- 2025 - Loan Repayment Program award (PI: Anderson), NIH NICHD
- 2024 - Workforce Safety Innovation Center Phase 2 award (PI: Anderson), Ohio BWC
- 2024 – Implementation Science award (PI: Wengerd), American Occupational Therapy Foundation
- 2020 – Exploratory Research Projects Grant Program award (PI: Anderson), CDC through the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Education
- 2024, Postdoctoral fellowship, Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University
- 2023, PhD, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University
- 2019, OTD, Occupational Therapy, The Ohio State University
- 2015, BFA, Art, Carnegie Mellon University