collaborators

David Amaral, Ph.D., earned his Psychology degree from Northwestern University and a joint Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Rochester. After postdoctoral research at Washington University, he spent 13 years at the Salk Institute before joining UC Davis in 1995. He is a Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and a core scientist at the California National Primate Research Center. From 1998 to 2018, he was the Beneto Foundation Chair and Research Director at the MIND Institute. He leads the Autism Phenome Project, directs Autism BrainNet and the UC Davis Autism Center of Excellence, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Autism Research. In 2019, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.

Simona Ghetti, Ph.D., is a faculty member at the UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain and a member of several professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the Cognitive Neuroscience Society. She serves as an associate editor of Memory and is on multiple journal editorial boards. Her research explores memory and metamemory development in childhood, using behavioral and neuroimaging methods to study both typical and atypical development in her Memory and Development Lab.

Amanda Guyer, Ph.D., is co-director of the Center for Mind and Brain and a professor in Human Development and Family Studies. She studies adolescent development, focusing on how brain and behavior shape emotions, decision-making, and mental health risks like depression, anxiety, and substance use. Her research explores how adolescents process emotions, respond to social and environmental influences, and regulate behavior in risky situations. She conducts longitudinal studies on neurobiological and environmental factors in adolescent mental health. A fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, she also serves as an associate editor for Developmental Psychology and Emotion.

Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Ph.D., is an environmental epidemiologist dedicated to understanding how chemicals, pollutants, nutrition, and social factors affect pregnancy and early child development. She leads the UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Core Center and has directed autism and neurodevelopmental research for over 15 years. Her studies, including CHARGE and MARBLES, have linked autism risk to prenatal exposures like pesticides, air pollution, maternal health conditions, and nutrition. Her work on gene-environment interactions and modifiable risk factors helps shape potential interventions to improve outcomes for children.

Susan McGurk, Ph.D., is a professor at Boston University and Director of Cognitive Remediation Initiatives at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. A neuropsychologist, she studies cognitive remediation and its impact on employment, education, and independent living for people with serious psychiatric conditions. She developed the Thinking Skills for Work program, which improves job outcomes for those struggling in supported employment. Her research explores adaptations for education and daily living, cognitive enhancement through physical exercise, and home-based cognitive training. She has received multiple awards for her work and leads several NIMH- and NIDILRR-funded studies on cognitive rehabilitation.

Kim Mueser, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and professor at Boston University's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. His research focuses on family psychoeducation, treating co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders, psychiatric rehabilitation, and PTSD. Supported by major research organizations, he has co-authored over 10 books and treatment manuals, published extensively in journals, and led numerous national and international workshops on psychiatric rehabilitation.

Steve Ruder is a key member of the MIND Institute's Resource Center and the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. He supports individuals and families by providing guidance on high school transition, adult services, employment, and supported decision-making. Steve facilitates the Northern California Business Advisory Council, working with businesses to promote inclusive hiring. He also contributes to Marjorie Solomon’s Individual Support and Placement project, using his experience to support autistic adults in the workplace.

Julie Schweitzer, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher, has studied child psychopathology for over 20 years, focusing on ADHD, hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. Her NIH-funded work includes a longitudinal study on self-control development in adolescents with and without ADHD. With 25+ years of experience in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions, she collaborates with MIND Institute colleagues on research linking development, environment, ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression. She contributes expertise in psychology, psychometrics, and clinical research to UC Davis' ReCHARGE study, ECHO cohorts, and team science initiatives at the Clinical and Translational Science Center.

Aubyn Stahmer, Ph.D., is an expert in the translation of evidence-based autism research to community-based practice and delivery. Her work focuses on helping teachers, therapists, and community providers deliver high-quality care to children with autism and their families. She specializes in naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions, parent coaching, early intervention, and inclusive education. She leads federally funded research projects to adapt evidence-based autism treatments for community use and improve early identification and intervention while supporting neurodiversity. She is a core member of the Autism Intervention Research Network in Behavior (AIR-B), working to expand access to culturally responsive care in underserved areas. An internationally recognized researcher and speaker, she also serves as an editor for Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice and contributes to national guidelines for autism treatment.

Christine Wu Nordhal, Ph.D., earned her neuroscience degree from UC Davis and began her career at the MIND Institute as a postdoctoral fellow. She has worked on the Autism Phenome Project since its start, developing pediatric MRI protocols for infants and toddlers without sedation. Joining the faculty in 2011, she is now an assistant professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She launched the GAIN Study in 2014 to focus on autism in girls and leads the BRAIN Study as part of the Autism Center of Excellence. In 2021, she and her team founded NeuroTeens, a social group for neurodivergent girls and nonbinary teens.