Elena Cheek is a third year OTD student at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Charlestown, MA. She grew up in North Carolina where she continued her undergraduate education at Elon University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minor in Early Childhood Education. She developed a passion for research while obtaining her bachelor’s degree, completing and presenting research regarding infant development.
She graduated in May, 2020 then moved to Boston, MA where she worked with children and adults with Autism as a Level 2 Teacher at The New England Center for Children while she applied to graduate school.
Throughout her time at MGH IHP she has been provided with opportunities to work with individuals across the lifespan. Most recently, completing Level II Fieldwork experiences in a skilled nursing facility serving the geriatric population, and in early intervention. Additionally she has discovered areas of interest in inclusive design and accessibility through taking the Disability and Society elective course.
At the Institute for Human Centered Design, Elena will be part of a team to create equitable opportunities and access for all populations.
Areas of interest include but are not limited to: accessibility addressing sensory impairments (e.g., hearing, low-vision), the aging population, architectural accessibility including museum and higher education campus design.