Team Member Updates!

NDD Lab doctoral students Sara Matherly and Kelly Caravella White

Team Member Updates!

We rang in the new year by welcoming three new research specialists to our assessment team! Kayla Jarvis and Nichole Mayberry joined the lab in January as full-time research specialists. Libby Tillman began volunteering in the lab as an undergraduate assistant in 2018, and is transitioning to her new role as a part-time research specialist while she completes her bachelors degree here at the University of South Carolina.

We also want to take a moment to congratulate Dr. Abby Hogan on her promotion to Associate Director of the NDD Lab! Dr. Hogan joined the lab in 2015 as a postdoctoral fellow. In addition to her new role, Dr. Hogan is a Research Assistant Professor in the USC Department of Psychology.

Many of our families know Carly Moser, who worked in the NDD Lab as a Research Assistant from 2016-2018. In 2019, Carly embarked upon her doctoral training in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the USC Arnold School of Public Health under the direction of one of our collaborators and former postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Jessica Klusek.

Two of our PhD students recently moved on to internships! Kelly Caravella White is currently completing an internship at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Sara Matherly is currently completing an internship at Blythewood High School and North Springs Elementary School, as well as with Developmental Pediatrics at USC Medical School and Palmetto Richland Hospital here in Columbia, SC.


Doctoral Student Carla Wall giving a presentation

Carla Wall Receives SPARC Grant from USC

Carla Wall, a doctoral student in the NDD Lab, was recently awarded a grant from the USC Office of the Vice President for Research. The Support to Promote Advancement of Research and Creativity (SPARC) Graduate Research Grant is a merit-based award designed to ignite research and creative excellence across all disciplines at the University of South Carolina. Carla’s research will focus on, “Decoding the Heterogeneity of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Biobehavioral Study of Social Attention Across Intellectual Ability, Sex, and Syndrome.”

Congratulations, Carla!


Dr. Jane Roberts

Dr. Jane Roberts Appointed Interim Chair of USC Department of Psychology

In Fall 2018, Dr. Jane Roberts was appointed Interim Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Roberts came to USC in 2008 as an Associate Professor in the School Psychology program. In 2013, she became Program Director of the School Psychology program and began teaching in the Clinical-Community program as well.

Congratulations, Dr. Roberts!


Speakers at the SC State House for Fragile X Awareness Day

FXS Awareness Day

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In the heart of South Carolina’s capitol, Dr. Jane Roberts, Dr. Jessica Klusek, Robin Blackwood, and the Kuperman family shared their personal experiences with Fragile X syndrome in honor of the proclamation of July 22, 2018 as Fragile X Awareness Day.  Thank you to everyone who came out to the State House to celebrate this declaration and to everyone who has played a role in raising awareness, advocating for policy, and fostering a welcoming community!

 


NDD Lab at the National Fragile X Conference

Superheroines of Fragile X Research!

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Being trailblazers of Fragile X research is no small feat!  Dr. Bridgette Tonnesen, Dr. Debra Reisinger, and Dr. Jane Roberts attended the National Fragile X Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio last week where they presented their research alongside the world’s leading Fragile X experts.  This family-friendly forum which occurs every two years helps families affected by FXS get the support which they need.  For more information,   stay up to date by following the National Fragile X Foundation:  https://fragilex.org/


Governor's Proclamation

Governor Henry McMaster declares July 22nd Fragile X Awareness Day

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Although the genetic underpinnings of fragile X syndrome are known by scientists, it often goes undetected due to lack of awareness among the public and sometimes in the medical community. We are proud of South Carolina for increasing efforts to raise awareness about this condition, with the aim of helping patients with the fragile X gene make better-informed decisions and encouraging all South Carolinians to fight for early diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

Governor Henry McMaster proclaimed July 22nd, 2018 at Fragile X Awareness Day in South Carolina. In honor of this occasion, Dr. Roberts will be speaking at the SC State House Lobby in Columbia on Monday, July 23rd at 11:00AM.  Please consider coming out to the State House to commemorate this special occasion!


Robin Blackwood and her son Sam

Advocating for Children’s Health

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Local community leader, Robin Blackwood, headed to Washington, D.C. to share the story of her son Sam, who was diagnosed with fragile X syndrome, with legislators. Blackwood joined parents from around the nation as part of the 14th annual Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day. Blackwood advocated for children’s health, particularly to safeguard care for children with special needs. Thanks for bringing awareness to such an important issue! Read more about her efforts at Greenville Online and Fox Carolina.


Hannah Thomas

Undergraduate Hannah Thomas highlighted by UofSC Today!

Hannah Thomas didn’t think she was interested in a career working with children. Now, after spending three years conducting research in two College of Arts and Sciences’ psychology department labs, the May graduate can’t imagine doing anything else but helping unravel neurological and learning issues that many children face.


Ausome Gym logo

Have you heard of the Ausome Gym right here in Columbia??

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The Ausome Gym‘s state-of-the-art equipment and specialized play areas gives children the opportunity to reach goals related to sensory processing, attention, movement, strength, behavior regulation, language, social interactions, safety, and self-care skills – while having fun! Exciting activities for people of all ages including ball pit, BEAM interactive game floors, super building blocks, bubble tubes, climbing structures, dome and light mirrors, swings, and much more!  They even have dance classes and soccer camps, as mentioned in their youtube video.


Making Strides logo

Get Ready! Strides for Autism Festival is the South Carolina Autism Society’s premiere fund-raising & awareness Event.

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Midlands Strides for Autism Festival  is April 28, 2018 at Irmo Community Park and Upstate Strides for Autism Festival  is June 9, 2018 at Heritage Park, Simpsonville, SC.  The Money raised for South Carolina Autism Society stays in South Carolina and goes towards individual and family support, education, advocacy, and training.  Information on how to get involved in this important event can be found on the SC Autism Society website: http://scautism.org/strides/


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