The Evelyn Mackin Travel Grant for Education and Research 2026

Nicole Hoover, OTR, CHT, PhD(c), is dedicated to advancing the assessment and treatment of upper-extremity conditions. With more than 15 years of clinical experience spanning ergonomics, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient hand therapy, she brings a unique perspective that bridges research and clinical practice. Nicole serves as faculty in an occupational therapy program, where she teaches hand and upper-extremity rehabilitation and mentors future clinicians. Her doctoral research focuses on thumb stability assessment, including the development and validation of novel clinical measures to evaluate thumb function during pinch and other functional tasks. Her broader research interests include proprioception, outcomes measurement, and innovation in hand rehabilitation. Through her clinical scholarship, presentations, and collaborative projects, Nicole seeks to improve the precision of hand therapy assessment and support evidence-informed care for individuals with thumb pain and instability. The Evelyn Mackin Travel Grant will support her continued efforts to advance research in thumb stability assessment and contribute new knowledge to the field of hand rehabilitation.