[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”91.6px” custom_margin=”||-33px|||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”Roboto Condensed|||on|||||” title_font_size=”60px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”106.4px” custom_margin=”|auto|-16px|auto||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Meet the people behind the MASCOT Lab! Our team is made up of students, researchers, and collaborators who are committed to advancing research on meaningful activity participation, social connection, and healthy aging. In addition to highlighting each member\u2019s academic and professional interests, we also share their favorite leisure activities as a reminder that meaningful participation is not only what we study\u2014it is also part of who we are. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/mascotlab.siu.edu\/?page_id=607″ button_text=”Join Us !” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#fc3f3f” button_font=”Roboto Condensed|700||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”279.4px” custom_margin=”-31px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”40px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mascotlab.siu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_6296-scaled.jpeg” alt=”Portrait of Dr. Szu-Wei Chen against a white background. She is wearing black-framed glasses and a long-sleeved turquoise blouse, with shoulder-length dark brown hair.” title_text=”Szu-Wei Chen” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” min_height=”92px” custom_margin=”||-34px||false|false” custom_padding=”|||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Szu-Wei Chen, PhD, OTR\/L – Principal Investigator<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Chen is the Director and Principal Investigator of the MASCOT Lab. Her research focuses on reducing loneliness and building social connections among older adults and people aging with disabilities, particularly through promoting participation in meaningful activities. She has many leisure interests and hobbies, which continue to evolve as she enters different stages of life and takes on different roles. Currently, she enjoys reading novels on her e-reader, exploring fun 3D printing projects, assembling LEGO sets, and traveling with her family to visit new attractions.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/saluki-my.sharepoint.com\/:f:\/g\/personal\/szuwei_chen_siu_edu\/IgDcoOermnh_Q5uQ_5LrJwMvAQAN3_qz1gBcu6JRv-aqoVE?e=CKuOoN” button_text=”curriculum vitae” button_alignment=”right” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#fc3f3f” button_font=”Roboto Condensed|700||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″ min_height=”18px”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”326.4px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mascotlab.siu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Diane.jpg” alt=”Black-and-white portrait of Dr. Diane Weidner. She has short hair that falls just below her ears and is wearing a shirt that appears dark gray in the picture.” title_text=”Diane Weidner” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n