As Professor and Founding Chair, Dr. Carrasco oversees the department’s administrative, marketing, educational, research, and fiscal operation. He started teaching for Nova Southeastern University as an Adjunct Professor in 1997. As Program Consultant in 2010, he designed and later proposed the Tampa entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. In 2011 he received the appointment of Professor and Founding Chair. Prior to this appointment, he was Chair of the postprofessional graduate and entry-level OT and OT assistant programs at the Medical College of Georgia, now Georgia Regents University. He taught certification courses for Sensory Integration International and Summit Professional Education in all US states and Asia. His combined occupational therapy experience spans over 40 years of practice in pediatric, academic, research, mental health and wellness settings. Concurrently, he is iemoto (Headmaster) of Banmi Shofu Ryu of Ikebana and travels around the world teaching the flower art backed by more than 45 years of Ikebana practice, teaching and administration.

 

To be contemporaneous in aligning vision, curriculum design, and contemporary needs of the profession with a blended model of delivery, all departmental operations include a global component. Dr. Carrasco’s has worked as senior account executive for the Asia-Pacific Region of the Chicago based Grant Advertising International. He served as occupational therapist and special educator for the US Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) Pacific in coordinating the first international Very Special Arts Festival. He completed a United Nations fellowship in the Far East, a Surgeon General’s appointment with the DoDDS Europe, a royal invitation to serve on the first international Pediatric Rehabilitation conference in Saudi Arabia.

 

His scholarly activities include invited and refereed presentations and publications. His research focus includes sensory processing disorders, occupational science, mental health, education in the areas of theory, instrumentation and lived experiences by human beings in the process of becoming. He serves on local, state, national and international organizations in various capacities from member to president, including Florida OT Association (FOTA), American OT Association (AOTA), World Federation of OTs (WFOT), OT Association of the Philippines (OTAP) and Ikebana International (II).

 

The breadth of Dr. Carrasco’s professional experience is essential in maintaining a visionary and objective stance as an active co-participating leader in navigating the clinical, curricular, scholarly, business, leadership and mentorship demands of higher education and lifelong learning.

 

Courses Taught:

• EXSC 2090 Sports Neuroscience
• EXSC 2300 Sports Nutrition
• EXSC 5900 Advanced Ergogenic Aids

Area of Research:

• Sports Nutrition/Supplements

Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications:

1. Antonio, J., Candow, D., Forbes, S. et al. (2021). Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? JISSN. Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence (tandfonline.com)
2. Antonio, J., Evans, C., Jiannine, L. et al. (2022). Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of a Single 5-gram Bolus of Creatine Monohydrate Versus Two Other Creatine-Containing Investigational Products. Cureus. 14(4): 20220523-15441-1ndk31g.pdf (cureus.com)
3. Goldstein, E., Stout, J.R., Wells, A., Antonio, J., Vasenina, E., Fukuda, D. (2023). Carbohydrate-Protein drink is effective for restoring endurance capacity in masters class athletes after a two-hour recovery. JISSN. Carbohydrate-Protein drink is effective for restoring endurance capacity in masters class athletes a (tandfonline.com)
   
4. A Preliminary Investigation of Turkesterone: It’s Not Deca.  J. Antonio, T. Silver, A. Lukowiak and L. JiannineResearch Directs in Health Sciences 2024 Vol. 4 Issue 1
5. Consuming Caffeinated or Non-Caffeinated Energy Shots has No Effect on Mood or Performance.  J. Antonio, T. Silver, P. Byers and L. JiannineResearch Directs in Strength and Performance 2024 Vol. 4 Issue 1
6. Training, Nutrition, and Sports Supplement Strategies of an Elite Female Masters Cyclist: A Case Study: Case Study.  J. Antonio, J. Rojas, J. Curtis, C. Evans and F. PereiraResearch Directs in Health Sciences 2024 Vol. 4 Issue 1
7. The Top 5 Can’t-Miss Sport Supplements.  J. Antonio, F. Pereira, J. Curtis, J. Rojas and C. EvansNutrients 2024 Vol. 16 Issue 19 Pages 3247
8. Common questions and misconceptions about caffeine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?  J. Antonio, D. E. Newmire, J. R. Stout, B. Antonio, M. Gibbons, L. M. Lowery, et al.Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2024 Vol. 21 Issue 1 
9. The Effect of Tongkat Ali Supplementation on Body Composition in Exercise-Trained Males and Females.  J. Antonio, C. Evans, F. Pereira, H. Thakkar, V. Miriyala, R. Rocanelli, et al.Applied Sciences 2024 Vol. 14 Issue 11 
10. Common questions and misconceptions about protein supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?  J. Antonio, C. Evans, A. A. Ferrando, J. R. Stout, B. Antonio, H. P. Cintineo, et al.Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2024 Vol. 21 Issue 1