Empowering Durham Youth Through Transit: OTD Students Share Study Reflections

Graduate students Gavin Thompson and Riya Hathi, both members of Duke’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Class of 2027, are helping shape the future of youth health in Durham through their work on Going Places, a community-based research initiative led by Dr. Emily D’Agostino, DPH, MS, MEd, MA, associate professor of Orthopaedics and director of Community-Engaged Research Practice in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Division.

The Going Places study, conducted in partnership with Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) since 2020, examines how active transportation and after-school programming can foster physical activity, independence, and health equity among teenagers. As graduate assistants, Gavin and Riya played a key role in refining the curriculum and integrating an occupational therapy lens into the project’s design and delivery.

“I was drawn to the study because of my interest in promoting fair access to health and wellness,” said Riya. “The intersection between physical activity and fostering independence in community mobility was compelling. It’s been rewarding to contribute to research that explores these connections.”

Gavin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing his desire to give back to the Durham community. “I saw an opportunity to promote teens’ access to meaningful occupations,” he said. “Interacting with teens and DPR staff gave me a glimpse into their daily lives and helped us tailor the curriculum to what matters most to them.”

One surprising insight came when DPR staff shared that teens were curious about how different types of basketball shoes might affect performance. This feedback helped the team connect physical activity to teens’ interests, making the sessions more engaging and relevant. “It emphasized the importance of using an occupation-centered lens,” Riya explained.

Dr. D’Agostino, a community-engaged epidemiologist with over two decades of experience in school and park settings, praised the students’ contributions. “Gavin and Riya brought fresh energy and a deep understanding of occupational therapy to this work,” she said. “Their ability to listen to community feedback and adapt the curriculum accordingly was instrumental in making the program more meaningful and relevant to the teens we serve.”

The study is already making a difference. By collecting data on how teens spend their time and access physical activity, the team is identifying barriers and opportunities to improve community mobility.

“We’re not just promoting health—we’re helping teens gain tools to sustain these changes in their daily lives,” Gavin said.

Student Reflections

Riya Hathi
“As an occupational therapy student, it has been an enriching experience to gain insights into how youth in Durham currently spend their time, engage in physical activity, and access spaces to do so. This work directly relates to my coursework and has deepened my understanding of the Transactional Model of Occupation, emphasizing how social, environmental, and sociodemographic factors affect participation in meaningful activities.”

Gavin Thompson
“As a student, I’ve learned the importance of incorporating my future clients’ perspectives into my work. Through this project, we developed various iterations of the curriculum by incorporating feedback from individuals with lived experiences in the community. This has helped me understand how to foster more active participation and promote occupational justice.”

For Gavin and Riya, the opportunity to contribute to such a dynamic and impactful project has been transformative. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to advocate for equitable access to meaningful activities,” Riya said. Gavin agreed: “This experience has been truly impactful—I’m grateful to be part of a project that supports youth health and community engagement.”

Learn more about the Going Places study and its findings here.