Principle Investigator

Jeffrey J. Wood, Ph. D.

Professor Wood received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the UCLA Psychology Department, specializing in clinical trials of cognitive behavioral therapy for childhood anxiety disorders and OCD. As a doctoral student of Dr. Marian Sigman’s and a psychology intern at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, he acquired expertise in the assessment and behavioral treatment of school-aged children with autism spectrum disorders. As a UCLA professor, he has designed and pioneered numerous empirically validated CBT programs for youth on the autism spectrum.

Clinical Coordinator | Expert CBT Consultant

Karen Wood

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Study Coordinator

Ingrid Tien

Ingrid's research interests include disparities in treatment and diagnosis of girls with autism and influencing educational recommendations and public policy to equitably provide resources for neurodiverse children. Additionally, Ingrid is interested in how autistic children make and maintain friends.

Lead Graduate Researcher

Amanda R. Johnson

Amanda's research focuses on community-based care and healthcare innovation, specifically focusing on improving access to care and services. With extensive clinical experience and a strong background in research, Amanda strives to improve and develop resources developing resources that are both personalized and user-friendly for youth with autism and their families, ensuring they receive comprehensive care and support for their overall wellbeing. 

Senior Graduate Researcher

Jolie Straus

Jolie's previous research focused on mapping phenotypes for individuals with rare genetic disorders, Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and ASD. She administered various cognitive, motor, language, social, and autism-related assessments to infants, children, adolescents, and adults. As a senior level PhD student, she is eager to be involved in current and future studies related to CBT and effective treatment approaches.

Graduate Researcher

Samara Wolpe

Samara's research focuses on the transition from high school into adult life for individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as the experiences of families and individuals in receiving services in adulthood. Samara's research centers around community partnership and improving quality of life for the people and communities she serves.

Graduate Researcher

Katherine Sung

Katherine earned her B.S. in Neuroscience from UCLA. Prior to starting graduate school, she served as a clinic coordinator for the UCLA PEERS® Program, an evidence-based social skills treatment for preschoolers, adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and other socio-emotional challenges. Her research interests include accessibility and implementation of practices for youth and adults on the autism spectrum.

Graduate Researcher

Keenan Adams

Keenan's research interest focuses on how executive function processes influence mental health outcomes in individuals on the spectrum. Their research also focuses on identifying the unique stressors faced by these individuals and how they interact with executive function to impact well-being. With a commitment to bridging scientific knowledge with real-world applications, Keenan strives to contribute to the development of interventions that promote resilience and improve the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum

Recent Graduate

Virginia Sklar Muscatello

Ginny’s research investigates the accessible dissemination and implementation of efficacious as well as meaningful interventions for both students with and without disabilities. Her research has two central lines of inquiry. She examines the effectiveness of CBT for autistic youth in community and school-based contexts. Additionally, she engages in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and investigates evidence-based, inclusive teaching practices for the development of more equitable course curriculums, particularly in undergraduate STEM fields.