Sara J. Webb, Ph.D.
Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Webb’s research focuses on the use of electroencephalography (EEG), event-related potentials (ERPs), eye tracking, and behavioral measures to study how infants, children, and adults learn about their social environment, and how that learning is impacted by developmental disruptions.
Her current work covers several areas including (1) attention, perceptual, cognitive, and social abilities in individuals with developmental disabilities including autism, Fragile X, and developmental delay; (2) early risk markers and protective factors for ASD; and (3) development of biomarkers for use in clinical trials. These projects represent an effort to understand the neural circuits that contribute to and underlie atypical development. Currently, she is the principal investigator of several projects sponsored by the NIH and has had funding from Autism Speaks, Autism Science Foundation, SFARi, Korean Foundation, and Seattle Children’s Research institute.
Emily Neuhaus, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Neuhaus completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Washington, with a clinical internship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and degrees from the University of Oregon. Dr. Neuhaus’s research focuses on social-emotional processes in children and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or inherited or de novo genetic events. She has a special interest in how social and emotional processes relate to brain function and development, and in how they interact with one another to influence diagnostic outcomes (e.g., phenotypes within autism) and mental health trajectories over the course of development.
Eva Kurtz-Nelson, Ph.D.
Clinical Director, Clinical Psychology
Dr. Kurtz-Nelson received her Ph.D. in school psychology and MS in special education from the University of Oregon. She completed her clinical training at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. Her research and clinical work center on the prevention of severe challenging behavior and the promotion of positive caregiver-child relationships for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Outside of work, Dr. Kurtz-Nelson enjoys reading, traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with her family, friends, and dog.
Hannah Rea, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Rea received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Georgia and completed her clinical training at UC Davis MIND Institute and CAARE Center. Her research and clinical work focus on improving service delivery for individuals with developmental disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys training for triathlons, skiing, and cooking.
Elizabeth (Liz) Jones
Psychometrist
Liz graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in psychology. As an undergraduate, she worked as a research assistant in the Integration and Perception Lab at the University of Oregon and the Clinical Neuroscience Lab at the University of Texas at Austin. She previously worked as a psychometrist at a clinic administering assessments for patients suspected of having brain injuries, learning disabilities, developmental disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders. Liz’s research interests include neuropsychological assessment, exploring the neural and psychological mechanisms of neuropsychological disorders, and identifying protective and risk factors for those disorders. She aims to pursue a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology with a focus in one of her previously mentioned interests. Outside of lab, Liz enjoys running, hiking, baking, playing with her dog and reading.
Alana Peters-Whiting
Administrative Assistant Lead
Alana graduated from Western Washington University with a B.S. in Geology. As an undergrad, Alana worked as a Laboratory Assistant in the WWU Department of Biology as well as the UW Department of Pharmacy. Her love of science brought her to work at the Bernier Lab. She currently builds databases and manages the data collected from all of our studies. Alana also pursues musical theatre professionally and performs at local theaters, including the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and Village Theatre.
Conor Miles
Research Study Coordinator
Conor graduated from the University of Washington in 2021 with a B.S. in Psychology. As an undergraduate, Conor interned at the RABLab for three years and aided in research at UW’s Disability Resources for Students. His research interests primarily lie in autism educational accessibility and mental health, and he hopes to pursue a PhD in cognitive, clinical, or industrial-organizational psychology within the next few years. Outside of lab, Conor enjoys making short films, drawing, and feeding birds!
Maggie Johansson
Research Study Coordinator
Maggie graduated from the University of Washington in 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology. As an undergraduate, Maggie interned at an ADHD Behavioral Therapy lab at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She also interned with Apex, which is a summer treatment program for kids with autism spectrum disorder. Maggie’s love of research is what brought her to this lab. She hopes to one day earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, focusing on either ADHD or Autism and trauma. Outside of lab, Maggie loves to explore the many amazing state/national parks in Washington.
Curtis Eayrs
Research Study Assistant
Curtis graduated from the University of Washington in June 2017 with a premed degree. He is interested in neurobiology and its effect on behavior of both neurotypicals and neuroatypicals. As an undergraduate, Curtis was one of the original members of UW’s HuskyMOSSAIC program. After graduation, he became an Advisory Board Member for UW’s HuskyMOSSAIC and continues to attend their monthly social gatherings, offering advice/feedback on strategic planning. In his free time, Curtis enjoys listening to/reading the Bible, listening to music, and singing karaoke and performing with choirs. Fun Fact: Curtis memorized 355 digits of the number Pi in 10 minutes during a 7th grade Pi Day contest!
Theo Ho, MPH
Research Study Assistant, Seattle Children’s Autism Center
Theo obtained a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Edinburgh in 2012. He has experience working with all age groups of the ASD population, in a variety of capacities, spanning the entire continuum of ASD. He is interested in health care service delivery to marginalized patient populations, specifically health care scenarios involving peripheral-careers (informal and professional) centered around young adult patients on the spectrum. In his spare time, Theo enjoys growing spare thyme and never making bad puns.