Gina Novario, OTD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist and research scientist in the Rehabilitation Science and Technology Department at the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as a postdoctoral associate scholar through the NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research and Training (ARRT) fellowship, where she contributed to projects examining the use of mainstream technologies as assistive technology (AT) solutions for people with disabilities, as well as the policy landscape surrounding Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers and their AT service provisions. In addition to her research role, Gina continues to practice clinically in inpatient rehabilitation settings, specializing in neurological and progressive conditions - experience that informs her commitment to translating technology and policy into meaningful, person-centered solutions.
Gina earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Slippery Rock University in 2021. She is passionate about leveraging innovation to enhance independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities and is dedicated to bridging the gap between technology, policy, and real-world application to promote equitable access to assistive solutions.
Current Project(s):
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Co-investigator: Funding and Policy Project
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Co-investigator: Smart Home Service Delivery
Brown, E. D., Wallace, S., Blemler, R., Novario, G., Tichenor, S., Foundas, B., ... & Buttino, E. (2024). Understanding the Use of Home Programs by Persons after Acquired Brian Injury: A Longitudinal Prospective Observational Study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 105(4), e49-e50.
Ding D, Morris L, Novario G, Fairman A, Roehrich K, Foschi Walko P, Boateng J. (2025). Mainstream Smart Home Technology–Based Intervention to Enhance Functional Independence in Individuals With Complex Physical Disabilities: Single-Group Pre-Post Feasibility Study. JMIR Rehabilitation Assistive Technology, 12:e70855 doi: 10.2196/70855