Dr. Khawla Loubani
Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences
My life Before BGU:
I was born in Nazareth and completed high school at St. Joseph's School for Girls in Nazareth. I earned my bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Tel Aviv University and pursued my master’s and PhD in the Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Haifa. Following that, I embarked on a combined postdoctoral fellowship at Tel Aviv University and the University of Indianapolis, in the US. My postdoctoral work involved several oncology-related studies, such as identifying changes in cognitive function and functional cognition following chemotherapy, researching oncological staff attitudes toward referring cancer patients to occupational therapy in both Israel and the US, and exploring barriers to the use of remote rehabilitation by occupational therapists in Israel’s healthcare system.
Why BGU?
To be part of a team leading the establishment of a new Department of Occupational Therapy. The department itself is new, well-resourced, and includes laboratories and cutting-edge equipment not available in other departments in Israel, ensuring our students are thoroughly prepared for clinical practice.
My research:
My research focuses on developing innovative rehabilitation interventions to enhance functioning and participation in daily life for people with and after cancer, acquired physical injuries, and chronic illnesses. This includes integrating advanced technologies into rehabilitation and promoting remote rehabilitation.
An insight from my research:
No matter which path you take, the most important thing is that you're on it, and it's up to you how the journey unfolds. Whether you're moving quickly or taking your time, find joy in the journey itself and make sure to savor the moments along the way. Remember, your destination is only the beginning, so make the most of the journey.
Something you won’t find on my CV:
I’ve been doing cross-stitch embroidery since I was nine, and have built up a collection of books on the subject. I usually make these pieces as gifts for people who are especially important and dear to me. Additionally, after my PhD, I completed a Level 1 patisserie course — it’s a highly creative process that requires both precision and patience.
A source of inspiration:
The journey of life – every experience, person, or moment can serve as inspiration for me, particularly my personal journey. I see it as a continuous source of inspiration.
When I grow up...
From an early age, I knew I wanted to be an occupational therapist. Today, I’d say that when I grow up, I want to establish a farm, mainly to be part of nature and enjoy it.
If I weren’t a researcher, I’d be...
An entrepreneur and innovator.
In brief:
- Master Chef or Kupa Rashit (Checkout)? Master Chef. As an occupational therapist, I see how cooking is a meaningful activity for people and far more complex than it seems, especially after facing limitations or illness.
- Pilates or spinning? Pilates
- Morning or night? Morning
- Summer or winter? Winter
- Steak or tofu? Steak
- Nescafé or espresso? Espresso
- Hike or spa? Spa
- Classical Europe or India? Classical Europe
- Sea or pool? Sea
- Movie theater or Netflix binge? Movie theater
- Text or voice message? Text
- Dog or cat? Cat
- Instagram or TikTok? Instagram
