Staff

 

Lab Manager: Alyssa Verbalis, Ph.D.

Alyssa Verbalis Headshot

Dr. Alyssa Verbalis is the Clinical Research Program Manager in the Center for Autism at Children's National Hospital. Dr. Verbalis received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from University of Connecticut with a concentration in neuropsychology. Dr. Verbalis is actively engaged in clinical work associated with the research projects at the Center for Autism, emphasizing assessment and treatment paradigms associated with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Verbalis has particular research interests in understanding the experiences and presentation of autistic girls and women, as well as the impact of executive functions on educational and adaptive outcomes for autistic people. Dr. Verbalis oversees aspects of most of the research projects at Center for Autism and provides direct supervision to the research staff. She also leads the annual hiring efforts for identifying and interviewing potential new staff members. 

Alyssa VERBALIS Research profile (researchgate.net)

Research Coordinators

Alejandro Todd Headshot

Alejandro Todd

Current Projects:

  • SOAR: Studying Outcomes of Autistic Individuals Transitioning to Adulthood

School & Degree:

  • University of Pittsburgh 2024, B.S. in Psychology and Certificate in Children's Literature

Research Interests:

  • Exploring the identity development of race, sexual orientation, and neurodiversity 

  • Social media's role in the sense of belonging in marginalized communities

Future Career Goals:

  • My future goal is to have a doctoral degree in developmental and social/community psychology.

A Little About Me:

  • I love learning new songs and choreography!

Elizabeth Black

Current Projects:

  • SOAR: Studying Outcomes of Autistic Individuals Transitioning to Adulthood

School and Degree:

  • University of West Florida 2025, B.S. in Psychology.

Hannah Behar Headshot

Hannah Behar

Current Projects:

  • Unstuck & On Target: High School, School-based Trial

  • Unstuck & On Target: High School, Clinic-based Trial

School and Degree:

  •  University of Richmond 2023, B.S. in Psychology.

Research Interests:

  • Exploring various thinking styles

  • Understanding how executive functioning challenges might affect the experience of trauma and grief

Future Career Goals:

  • My future career goal is to have a career in child or adolescent mental health.

A Little About Me:

  • I enjoy reading and was in an acapella group in college!

Julianna McKenna headshot

Julianna McKenna Headshot

Julianna McKenna

Current Projects:

  • Unstuck & On Target: High School, School-based Trial

  • Unstuck & On Target: High School, Clinic-based Trial

  • Unstuck & On Target for Early Childhood

School and Degree:

  • Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame Indiana 2021, B.A. in Psychology and Creative Writing, minors in Philosophy & Justice Studies.

Research interests: 

  • Developing culturally informed neuropsychological assessments.

  • Sex education practices and the impact on socioemotional development in young adults.

  • The effectiveness of neuro-affirming executive function interventions for autistic teens and their parents.

Future career goals: 

  • In the future, I hope to become a licensed clinical social worker and work with neurodivergent youth in both school and clinical settings.

A Little About Me:

  • Outside of work I can be found listening to Taylor Swift on repeat while exploring new hiking trails around the DMV.

Kat Sharp Headshot

Kat Sharp Headshot

Kat Sharp

Current Projects:

  • SOAR: Studying Outcomes of Autistic Individuals Transitioning to Adulthood

  • Unstuck & On Target: High School, School-based Trial

  • Unstuck & On Target: High School, Clinic-based Trial

School & Degree:

  • University of California, Los Angeles 2023, B.A. in Education & Social Transformation and Psychology, minor in Disability Studies.

Research Interests:

  • The experience of camouflaging autistic traits.

  • Culture in the autistic community.

  • Interventions that reduce negative mental health outcomes for the autistic community.

  • The double empathy theory and how it relates to the autistic and non-autistic communication gap.

Future Career Goals: 

  • Answer my research questions through a Clinical or School Psychology PhD program, and then make a difference in the autistic community with what I have learned.

A Little About Me:

  • I grew up on a farm!

Max Gershefski Headshot

Max Gershefski

Current Projects:

  • New project startups

  • Unstuck & On Target: High School, School-based Trial

School and Degree:

  • College of William and Mary 2023, B.S. in Psychology, minor in Economics.

Research interests: 

  • Intersections between emotion regulation and overall mental health/life satisfaction

  • Impact of autism diagnosis on self-acceptance and daily living skills

  • Community-based research

Future career goals: 

  • A PhD. or PsyD. program in Clinical Psychology

A Little About Me:

  • When I'm not working I really enjoy engaging in physical activities, meditating, and trying new things in DC