OTD Research Spotlight at the 2026 Duke Orthopaedics Research Day

Duke OTD students were among the presenters at the 2026 Orthopaedic Surgery Research Day & Symposium, held March 10 at the Interprofessional Education Building. The Poster Competition is a core component of the event, offering a forum for students and trainees to present research spanning clinical, translational, and educational domains.

Open to students, trainees, residents, fellows, and faculty, the competition provides a platform for researchers at all stages to present work in basic science, clinical research, translational investigation, quality improvement, and health innovation. Submissions were evaluated on scientific merit, clarity, visual presentation, and potential impact on orthopaedic care, with winners receiving gift cards in recognition of their achievement.

This year’s award recipients reflected the depth and variety of research underway at Duke. In the DPT/OTD Student category, Brian Gonzalez Granados earned honors for his project, Impact of Spatial Neglect on Participation in Occupations in Nature. His work examines how spatial neglect influences engagement in meaningful outdoor occupations, contributing important insights to occupational therapy practice and patient-centered rehabilitation.

Duke OTD student Joshua Lucas also participated, presenting A Clinical Guide to Understanding and Addressing Occupational Disengagement and Psychological Challenges in People with Diabetic Retinopathy. His project highlighted the occupational and psychosocial challenges experienced by individuals with diabetic retinopathy and offered clinically relevant guidance for addressing disengagement in practice.

Both student projects were completed under the mentorship of Kimberly Hreha, EdD, OTR/L, and Antoine Bailliard, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, exemplifying the strong faculty‑student collaboration that supports research and scholarship within the Duke OTD program.

This year’s competition once again underscored the department’s commitment to advancing musculoskeletal science and fostering the next generation of clinician‑scientists. The work presented by learners and faculty spanned a broad range of orthopaedic subspecialties and reflected Duke’s culture of collaboration, innovation, and patient‑centered discovery.

We extend our congratulations to all award recipients and our appreciation to every participant whose work made the 2026 Research Day & Symposium a success. Great work!