CeFAR - Center for Excellence in Autism Research at the University of Pittsburgh

Staff

FULL-TIME STAFF

Dana Barvinchak, BA
Research Project Assistant (2004), earned her degree in Psychology from Duquesne University. She is currently enrolled in the Applied Developmental Psychology Master’s program at the University of Pittsburgh. Ms. Barvinchak is responsible for coordinating the Multiplex study and the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R), Broader Phenotype Autism Symptom Scale (BPASS), and neuropsychological tests.

Stacey Becker, BS
Project Coordinator (2007), earned her degree in Cognitive Science and Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University. Ms. Becker is responsible for coordinating recruitment, scheduling, testing, and data monitoring for Dr. Strauss' research and related projects.

Kimberly Bodner, MS
Research Principal. (2006), earned her degree in Psychology from Duquesne University, a diploma in the Spanish language from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and her Masters of Science in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms. Bodner is responsible for the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS), the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), as well as intelligence and neuropsychological tests.

Rosie Christ, BS
Administrative Liaison (2002), earned her degree in Marketing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Christ is responsible for maintaining and monitoring grants received from private foundations and National Institute of Health, supervising work-study students and assistant to Dr. Nancy Minshew, Director.

Justin Dandar, MHMS
Senior Data Manager/Analyst (2007), earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Management Systems from Duquesne University and his Masters in Health Management Systems also from Duquesne University. Mr. Dandar manages existing datasets and databases as well as maintaining both the Intranet and Internet sites.

Jonathan Kelly, BA
Research Specialist (2007), earned his degree in Psychology and Rhetorical Studies from Duquesne University. Mr. Kelly conducts the preliminary screening of subjects, administers IQ and communication assessments, schedules the standard testing for the subjects with the five labs with which the center collaborates, monitors participants' testing progress, and reviews participants' charts to determine eligibility for the program.

Dave Maloney
Administrative Specialist (2006), earned his degree in Secondary Education from Penn State University. Mr. Maloney performs phone screens on potential participants, administers and scores individual intelligence tests, provides assistants to the Administrative Coordinator and Principle Investigator, verifies and enters data into various databases, as well as assisting in recruitment.

John J. Markiewicz III, AS
Research Data Coordinator (2002), earned his degrees, one in Computer Information Technology-Networking and one in Math and Science from the Community College of Allegheny County. Mr. Markiewicz creates and maintains the subject and test data for the research project and clinic, as well as the office computers and printers.

PJ McCarroll, MSW
Program Coordinator (2005), earned her degree in Psychology from Ohio University and her Masters of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas. Mrs. McCarroll supervises the research specialists, data coordinator and the administrative assistant, and is also responsible for facilitating communication between our laboratories.

Shana Michaels, MSIS
Senior Data Manager (2007), earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Kalamazoo College and her Masters of Science in Information Science from The University of Pittsburgh. Ms. Michaels supervises the Center's data team and is also responsible for ensuring quality assurance and database administration.

Natasha Reddy, BS

Research associate (2007), earned her degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Ms. Reddy responds to interested participants, conducts phone screening of subjects, receives participants’ supplemental documentation and assists the Project Coordinator

Kristin Weisberg, BS
Research Project Assistant (2007), earned her degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Ms. Weisberg conducts the preliminary screening of subjects, is responsible for the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), as well as intelligence and neuropsychological tests, and reviews participants’ charts to determine eligibility for the program.

PART-TIME STAFF

Richard Glosser, MSEd
Senior Research Associate (2001), is currently a doctorate student in School Psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Glosser is responsible for the administration of several diagnostic instruments including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), the Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R) and the Broader Phenotype Autism Symptom Scale (BPASS).

Maureen McAniff, MS
Senior Research Specialist (2004), earned her degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, a teacher's certificate in Special Education at the Master's level from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Masters of Science in Child and Youth Care Administration from NOVA Southeastern University. Mrs. McAniff administers neuropsychological tests (ADOS, ADI and BPASS) to participants.

Asha Persaud, MS
Research Project Assistant (2004), earned a dual degree in Psychology and Spanish from The Pennsylvania State University as well as a Masters of Science in School Psychology from Duquesne University. Ms. Persaud administers the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), and coordinates a research project on language processing in individuals with autism.

CONSULTANTS

Rachelle Parks Bonato, BS
Consultant (2000), earned her degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Bonato administers the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS), the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) and neuropsychological tests, and also is responsible for the preparation and submission of research protocols to ensure they adhere to Institutional Review Board regulations.

Carol Kaufman, M.Ed.
Consultant (2000) earned her degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Kaufman helps with all the financial matters.