BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

 Arlene Ann Schmid was born in Buffalo, New York, in December 1974. She was

raised in the Buffalo area and completed a dual bachelor's and master's degree in

occupational therapy from D'Youville College in 1997. Arlene worked for five years on

the island of Oahu in Hawaii as a therapist in a variety of clinical settings. She entered the

University of Florida rehabilitation science doctoral program in January 2002. During her

doctoral career, she was awarded a prestigious VA Pre-doctoral Health Rehabilitation

Research Fellowship to fund her dissertation research. Arlene plans to continue her

research at the Indiana University Occupational Therapy Department and the Indianapolis

Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. She plans to complete research within the

aging population, particularly looking at mobility issues and health promotion. Arlene

enjoys artwork, reading, exercise, being outside, spending time with her family and

friends, and playing with her two dogs.