AIR-B has included many new and experienced researchers among its staff. As a multi-site network across the country, we would like to thank the many people who have been involved in expanding access to interventions and advancing research into the social and behavioral effects of autism spectrum disorder.

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Davis

Drexel University

University of Washington

University of Rochester

University of Pennsylvania

Florida State University

Kennedy Krieger Institute


University of California, Los Angeles

Paul Luelmo, Ph.D

Now with San Diego State University

Amanda Dimachkie, Ph.D

Now with University of California, Davis

Jolan Smith, Ph.D

Now with California State University Long Beach

Jenny Chiappe, Ph.D

Now with California State University Dominguez Hills

Belinda Daughrity, Ph.D

Now with California State University Long Beach

Michelle Dean, Ph.D

Now with California State University Channel Islands

Lindsay Hauptman, Ph.D

Now with Booz Allen Hamilton consulting firm.

Ivette Bercerra

During their time with AIR-B III they were a research assistant at Kasari Lab.

Sheryl Kataoka, Ph.D

Currently a Professor-in-Residence in the UCLA Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Francisco Segovia Reinosa

During their time with AIR-B III they were a research assistant at Kasari Lab.

Anthony Osuna

Currently at University of Washington, during their time with AIR-B III they were a research assistant at Kasari Lab

Crystal Luna Ph.D, Ramon Flores, and Justin Williams


University of California, Davis

Dr. Peter Mundy, Ph.D

Director of Education research and professor at the UC Davis MIND Institute, a developmental and clinical psychologist, and a Lisa Capps Professor of Neurodevelopmental Disorder and Education. Dr. Mundy served as the principal investigator for AIR-B III at the University of California, Davis

Elizibeth Morgan Ph.D

Now with Sacramento State. During their time with AIR-B they focused on Early Childhood and Early Intervention Services.

Jennica Li

During their time with AIR-B they were a Research Assistant

Sarah Vejnoska

During their time with AIR-B they were a Research Assistant

Nicole Sparapani, Ph.D

Now an associate professor within the School of Education and the MIND Institute. Their current work focuses on the interplay between children and their classroom environment

Patty Schetter

Now a Project Manager for the Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the UC Davis MIND Institute. During their time with AIR-B they were an implementation specialist

Sarah Ferrin and Kirstin Yeates


Drexel University

Zoya Shamsi

During their time with AIR-B III they were a research assistant and specialized in analyzing social network data

Chris Friedman

During their time with AIR-B they did data analysis

Jonas Ventimiglia

During their time with AIR-B they did data analysis

Sara Murphy


University of Washington

Bryan King, MD

Vice President for Child Behavioral Health at University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, and the Vice Chair for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at USCF. During his time with AIR-B he was a Professor and Vice Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Washington and Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Dr. King served as the principal investigator for AIR-B I at Seattle Children’s Research Institute


University of Rochester

Tristram Smith, Ph.D

Their research on behavioral interventions changed the landscape of care for children with autism spectrum disorders. Unfortunately, he died suddenly in 2018

Asim Javed, Ph.D

Now with Endicott College where they are a data assessment Specialist and part of the School of Education

Susan Hetherington, Ph. D

Now an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics with the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester as well as a Primary Investigator for the Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs program

Caryn Stark

During their time with AIR-B III they were a Research Coordinator

Katharine Zanibii


University of Pennsylvania

Heather Nuske, Ph.D

Still with the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry with the Penn Center for Mental Health. During their time with AIR-B III they were a graduate student researcher

Briana Bronstein, Ph.D

Now with Widener University as an Assistant Teaching Professor

Diondra Straiton

Now with Michigan State University in the clinical psychology program

Julianne Nemith

During their time with AIR-B III they were a Clinical Research Coordinator




Florida State University

Amy M. Wetherby, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences and Director of the Autism Institute in the College of Medicine and the Laurel Schendel Professor of Communication Disorders at Florida State University. Dr. Wetherby served as the principal investigator for AIR-B I at CARD


Kennedy Krieger Institute

Rebecca Landa, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the founder and director of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Dr. Landa served as the principal investigator for AIR-B I at Kennedy Krieger Institute