Meet Our LEND Trainees | UC Davis MIND Institute

Amanda Parker is a dedicated volunteer with the Northern California Epilepsy Foundation. She holds a bachelor's degree in child development from California State University, Sacramento, which she earned in 2015. Diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 27, she manages tonic-clonic seizures, focal impaired awareness seizures, and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, in addition to being on the autism spectrum. Amanda actively engages with the epilepsy community by participating in the Adult Art Group and Adult Support Group. In her free time, she enjoys staying active with the Special Olympics, reading, creating art, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and her dog.

Hello my name is April Sewell, I am a mom to a very active eight year old girl named Riley, she is a blast to raise! I'm currently working on getting my real estate license, and on the other hand I work with children with autism, and have been with these families for over seven years. Recently I've had family members who had their daughter diagnosed with autism and ADHD, that initial diagnosis is overwhelming. Here at the MIND Institute, I'm excited to learn tools and avenues to help guide them navigate these paths.

Edlin Simental is a mental health first aid instructor with a background in school counseling and technology. She studied sociology at UC Berkeley and school counseling at Cal State Long Beach. She is currently focusing on launching a community platform for Latinos with ADHD to provide resources and supportive peer connections. As a LEND trainee, she aims to broaden her understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and enhance her ability to advocate effectively for her community, focusing on the intersection of culture, language, and disability.

Emma Hare is a second-year Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at UC Davis. She completed her general psychiatry residency at UC Davis and received her medical degree from Michigan State University. Her passion for behavioral health grew out of her experience caring for an older brother severely affected by autism. Before medical training, she worked in research for neurodevelopmental disabilities and neurodegenerative diseases. Her interests in psychiatry focus on treating youth with a wide range of mental health challenges including neurodevelopmental disabilities, treatment-resistant mood disorders, substance use, and individuals affected by trauma.

I am a recent UC Davis graduate with an M.S. in child development. Prior to grad school, I received my B.A. in early childhood education and taught preschool for many years, spending summers working at an outdoor, mindfulness-based social skills program for children 5 - 15 with autism.

I am a third year Ph.D. student in the UC Davis Human Development Graduate Group working with Aubyn Stahmer, Ph.D. in the Collaborative Start Lab at the UC Davis MIND Institute. My research focuses on autism in the Muslim community. I seek to understand the perceptions that Muslim parents have about autism, whether religious leaders are a source of knowledge for Muslim parents about their child's development, and whether Muslim parents seek out spiritual or evidence-based interventions. Overall, I am dedicated to identifying disparities in receiving a diagnosis and service access amongst Muslim parents and partnering with community organizations to develop interventions to increase community knowledge of autism and service access in the Muslim community.

Heather Elahi is a doctoral student in the APA-accredited Clinical Psychology program at Alliant International University. She completed two years of practicum experience at the MIND Institute, working as an examiner in the Miller Lab and as a student researcher in the AIR Lab. Her research interests focus on early detection of autism, physiological biomarkers of autism and ADHD, and the overlap in symptomatology between autism and ADHD. Clinically, Heather is particularly interested in early childhood diagnosis of autism, differential diagnosis of neurodevelopmental conditions, and supporting families navigating early intervention services.

Ingrid Carnevale is a developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellow at the MIND Institute. She recently completed her pediatric residency in June 2024 at NMC Portsmouth, Virginia. Her clinical interests include evidence-based interventions to improve child and infant mental health, addressing healthcare disparities to ensure equitable access to developmental and behavioral services, early identification of developmental differences via telehealth, and optimizing care transitions from pediatric to adult services for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Kim Deckman is a early intervention speech language pathologist with the Mendocino County Office of Education. She studied religion at Earlham College before returning to school to study speech and hearing sciences at Portland State University. She is passionate about parent training models of autism early intervention, implementation of evidence based practices across all levels of educational staff, and improving access to high quality autism services for all in her rural area. She also enjoys cultivating community in Mendocino County by living and volunteering in her co-housing community, signing in a local choir, and facilitating a weekly mindfulness practice group.  

Marta Picoto is a doctoral student at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, and a national certified school psychologist. This past year, Marta completed a practicum at Seattle Children’s Autism Center, where she conducted diagnostic assessments for autism and provided therapeutic interventions for autistic youth with anxiety disorders. Marta has also served as a school psychologist in the Bellevue School District and worked as a psychometrist for the WONDER (Washington Study of Outcomes, Neural Development, and Early Risk) study at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Her current dissertation research focuses on implementing a school-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for 3rd-5th grade girls with anxiety and social-communication challenges associated with autism.

Sara Knauft is a developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellow at the UC Davis MIND Institute. She graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2021 and completed her pediatrics residency at Phoenix Children's Hospital in 2024. She is especially interested in early childhood development, increasing access to care in underserved communities, and the interface between the education and medical systems. She enjoys hiking, traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.

I am a dedicated advocate and mother of four neurodivergent children. Drawing on my personal experience, I support families in navigating complex systems of care, with a focus on fostering confidence and building community. I’m excited for the opportunity to learn alongside interdisciplinary teams as a LEND trainee and hope to improve the lives of autistic individuals and their families through advocacy, education, and access to appropriate care. I hold a B.F.A. in photography from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and spend much of my free time in the garden.

Seung hyun "Julia" Park is currently pursuing a master's degree in social work at California State University, Sacramento, and holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea. She is passionate about removing barriers to help students with neurodivergence and their families thrive within the public education system. As a LEND trainee, she aims to deepen her understanding of neurodevelopmental disabilities and expand her social work practice through collaboration with faculty and colleagues from diverse disciplines.   

Stephanie Rivera Tran is a speech-language pathology clinical fellow and a recent graduate of California State University, Sacramento. As a mother of an autistic child, she is deeply committed to providing neurodiversity-affirming services and cultivating respectful, meaningful family-professional collaboration. Stephanie is also passionate about empowering Spanish-speaking families and advancing equity and inclusion for neurodivergent individuals within the community. As a LEND trainee, she seeks to expand her clinical expertise, engage in policy initiatives and advocacy that support the neurodivergent population and foster strong community partnerships.

Angel Garcia holds a master of social work from California State University, Sacramento, and has over a decade of experience in leading high-impact programs for diverse populations. Currently serving as program manager for the LIFE Program at Sierra College, Angel specializes in disability services, education, and workforce development. She excels at evaluating policies, training teams, and fostering strategic partnerships to improve program outcomes. As a mother of two children with disabilities, she is passionate about creating supportive environments that include a sense of belonging for individuals with disabilities.

Nor Azyati is a Malaysian developmental pediatric fellow who is currently in the International Training Program in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (ITPND) at the UC Davis MIND Institute for one year under mentors Randi Hagerman and Tanaporn Jasmine Wilaisakditipakorn. She is trained in identifying, assessing, diagnosing and managing various neurodevelopmental conditions such as global developmental delay, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Down Syndrome, specific learning disorders, intellectual disability and high-risk cases such as hearing-impaired children, children with cleft lip and palate, as well as very low birth weight infants. Azyati is passionate to learn more about the early identification of developmental disabilities and to better manage and support these children in the community. She is enthusiastic to collaborate in research and is determine to publish her work in this field. 

Carmen Ruiz-Ochoa  is a passionate individual dedicated to supporting, advocating and making a positive contribution to society and those impacted by developmental disabilities. She is a board certified behavior analyst and has been in the field of applied behavior analysis for over 2 decades. Carmen received both her B.A. and M.A. degrees in psychology from California State University, San Bernardino. She has worked across the lifespan of those impacted by developmental disabilities across settings with a discipline focus of mental and behavioral health. Carmen is employed as a project specialist within the Autism Services Branch at the Department of Developmental Services. She also actively supports professionals who identify as minorities in the field of ABA as a board member of the Latino Association for Behavior Analysis.

Casey DeLang is an occupational therapist and assistive technology Specialist at Growing Healthy Seasons in El Dorado County. She holds a bachelor's degree in neuroscience and cognitive science as well as a doctorate in occupational therapy. She enjoys working with high school and transition-age youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities and is passionate about full inclusion in school-based practice and post-secondary education, influenced by previous experiences with the Sonoran UCEDD and Project FOCUS. Casey enjoys using a sensory-focused and trauma-informed lens and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to maximize independence and implement meaningful technology interventions. With the LEND program, Casey is looking forward to learning more about advocacy and systems level disability policy across the greater Sacramento area. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, swimming, paddle boarding, and spending time with her rescue dog.

I am a passionate advocate for children with developmental delays and ADHD, specializing in developmental psychology. I am currently an intern at the UC Davis MIND Institute, where I am exploring different age groups and developmental stages to enhance my understanding and research in this area. Additionally, I own a dog training business specializing in service dog training, where I help owners train their dogs through positive reinforcement and tailored training plans. I am excited to be part of the UC Davis LEND Program and look forward to deepening my knowledge of the unique needs of children with developmental challenges.

Elyse is a postdoctoral fellow at the MIND Institute. She graduated with her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Marquette University. Her research examines the effectiveness and outcomes of telehealth social skills intervention, and features of co-occurring mental health in autism and the broader autism phenotype. While in graduate school, she also collaborated on the development and implementation of On Your Marq, a college success program for autistic undergraduate students. She completed her predoctoral internship at Oregon Health and Science University with a specialization in differential diagnosis of autism and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. Elyse also has clinical experience with behavioral intervention for medically complex pediatric populations, dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents and families, social skills intervention for autistic adolescents and young adults, and improving access to gender-affirming care for transgender and gender-diverse youth. She is passionate about individualizing the implementation of evidence-based assessment and therapy approaches with autistic youth and their families to take a strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming approach to clinical work. Elyse is happy to return the MIND Institute after her time before graduate school as a junior specialist for Marjorie Solomon, Ph.D.

Emily is a postdoctoral fellow who completed her internship year at the MIND Institute. She earned a Ph.D. in school psychology and master’s degree in special education at the University of Oregon. Emily is passionate about fostering inclusion and belonging for neurodivergent individuals in schools and communities, including through the implementation of evidence-based practices. She is interested in early identification, person and family centered interventions, and school-clinic collaboration.

Being a former undocumented immigrant and foster youth allows me to connect with a diverse group of people. I serve families experiencing homelessness and families involved with child welfare as a family navigator by linking them to community resources. I am greatly passionate about trauma-informed practices and addressing systemic barriers in healthcare. I learned that half of the children we see in CIRCLE Clinic, a medical home for foster children, have been diagnosed with some form of developmental delay. Through my passion of serving foster youth, I stumbled upon the realm of neurodevelopmental disabilities. I hope to learn more about autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities to better help families navigate through the complex medical system. 

Janessa Tibbot (pronounced: j-uh-n-eh-s-uh) is a second-year student in the masters entry of nursing program at UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. She previously earned a B.S. in biology at Cal State East Bay, where she participated in faculty-mentored research studying genes link with neuron function. Prior to starting nursing school, she was a registered behavior technician for children diagnosed with autism. She hopes to continue serving the autism community as a pediatric registered nurse and hopes to gain more experience serving the community through the LEND program. 

Kelly Lan is a second-year student in the master's entry of nursing program at UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. She previously attended UC San Diego where she earned a B.S. in pharmacological chemistry and a minor in sociocultural anthropology. Prior to nursing school, she worked as an M.A. at a private practice as well as a tutor for children K through 8th grade. She hopes to learn how to better serve young children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities as a pediatric nurse through the LEND program.

I am a Hispanic intake specialist currently working at the ACRC serving clients with developmental disabilities. I have 5 years of experience serving the community and families. I also have a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in marriage and family therapy; I have experience working with mental health diagnoses and treatments such as depression and anxiety. I am also a wife, a mother of a 19-year-old boy who is a junior at Chapman University, and I have two wonderful dogs. I am extremely excited to be participating in the UC Davis LEND program and obtain knowledge and skills to better support the families I serve and understand ways to bring awareness in navigating these needed services.

Linda Jacobson holds a B.S in kinesiology, exercise science from Sonoma State University, an A.S. and A.A. from Santa Rosa Junior College, and is a student of the doctor of physical therapy program at California State University, Sacramento. In other words she quite enjoys higher education and seeking further opportunities to gain knowledge and experience to better serve her community. Linda participated in and helped organize social justice week in undergrad, and has a special interest in support and advocacy for underrepresented, neurodivergent, and queer individuals. She has worked with children for 7 years through summer camp and childcare work, and through the UC Davis LEND program and pediatric courses within her PT program, she would like to see if pediatrics is where she could spend her career.

I am Narueporn Likhitweerawong (May), a developmental pediatrician from Thailand. My interests include early diagnosis and interventions, family support, and improving the quality of life for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. I came to the MIND Institute to deepen my understanding of these conditions. I am excited to be part of the LEND program and look forward to learning from various disciplines to broaden my experience. Participating in LEND is an excellent opportunity for me to advance both my research and clinical skills, and to gain useful insights that will help improve the care system for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in my home country.

I hold a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from California State University Monterey Bay and am currently in my second year of the doctorate in physical therapy program at California State University, Sacramento. While I haven't had much experience working with underrepresented populations, I am passionate about improving the quality of life for others and giving back to my Sacramento community. I am excited to participate in the UC Davis LEND program, where I look forward to learning and sharing strategies to raise awareness and support for these communities.

Sarah Bayoumi is a junior specialist in the Miller Lab at UC Davis. Her research interests are focused on autism and commonly co-occurring conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and eating/feeding disorders. Sarah is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity inclusion. She co-developed a formal accommodations system for UC Berkeley's University of California Marching Band, which became of the first collegiate marching bands to systematically provide accommodations to band members with disabilities. As a LEND trainee, Sarah is excited to collaborate with individuals across disciplines and learn from those with different lived experiences.

I am a physician in the Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship Program at UC Davis. I recently completed my physical medicine and rehabilitation residency through Northwestern Medicine and am now currently specializing in pediatric rehabilitation to better serve and provide support for this patient population and their families. I am excited to be a part of the UC Davis LEND program to learn more about the resources available to these patients and how to better advocate for them on a wider scale. I am also excited to meet the other participants who have a passion for serving these patients and their families.

Shital Agrawalla is a dedicated family support specialist at a Family Resource Center in the Bay Area. With a deep commitment to empowering families, Shital brings personal experience to her role, having begun her journey as a special needs parent when her child was diagnosed with multiple disabilities at just 11 months old. Shital firmly believes that parents are the foremost experts on their children. Her approach is rooted in the conviction that with the right information and tools, parents can become their children's strongest advocates. She is passionate about providing training, conducting outreach, and sharing current resources to support families navigating the complexities of raising children with disabilities. Through her work, Shital strives to create a more inclusive and informed community, where every family feels equipped and confident in their advocacy journey. She is grateful for the opportunity and is looking forward to learn from everyone involved.

Sophia Sussman is currently a second-year master's in genetic counseling student at the University of California, San Francisco. She previously earned her B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a minor in psychology from California State University, Chico. Sophia is deeply passionate about genetics and its potential to improve the lives of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. She understands the importance of compassionate, integrated care and is committed to making genetic services accessible. Sophia is dedicated to advancing care within marginalized communities and is eager to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to better support these patients and their families.

Tiffany Chang is currently a second-year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at California, State University, Sacramento. She earned her B.S.in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise and movement science from San Francisco State University. Tiffany is eager to gain more exposure to the autism and developmental disability community, aiming to expand her experience working with these individuals. Through this opportunity, she hopes to develop additional skills and knowledge to better support and advocate for families and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. She looks forward to collaborating with interdisciplinary professionals and gain new insights from different perspectives.

I am a pre-doctoral intern at the MIND Institute and the CAARE Center at UC Davis. I am coming to Sacramento from Fordham University's counseling psychology Ph.D. program in New York. I'm training in both child/infant mental health interventions and neurodevelopmental assessments. I also feel passionate about researching mental health in neurodivergent communities.