Biography

Thierry Lienou, Ph.D, OTD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Howard University. His work spans occupational therapy, rehabilitation, telehealth, assistive technology, wearable technology, and artificial intelligence, with a focus on leveraging emerging technologies to support rehabilitation, occupational engagement, health equity, and access to care. His research has examined wearable technology among African American university students, telehealth and telerehabilitation, and the opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence and digital health technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

At Howard University, Dr. Lienou teaches across the occupational therapy curriculum, including clinical kinesiology, neuroscience, assistive technology, human performance and movement analysis, clinical decision-making, research, and doctoral capstone education. He also contributes to interprofessional education and serves as a mentor to doctoral students. His scholarship has been presented at national professional conferences, including the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.

Dr. Lienou is actively engaged in professional and academic service across occupational therapy, rehabilitation, and assistive technology. His leadership and professional development include the AOTA Academic Leadership Institute, the ACRM Research and Leadership Institute, and Howard University’s Lumen Fellowship in Evidence-Based Teaching with Generative AI. His contributions have been recognized through honors including Howard University Department of Occupational Therapy Professor of the Year, Howard University Faculty Scholar, the Innovative Technology Award, and service commendations from the American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Dr. Lienou earned a B.S. in Exercise Science from Salisbury University, an M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Howard University, an OTD from New York University, and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology–Exercise Science from Concordia University. He is a board-certified occupational therapist and a Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). Across his teaching, research, and service, his work focuses on advancing the integration of rehabilitation and emerging technologies to improve education, participation, and access to health services across diverse communities.