ASF Awards Six Doctoral Training Fellowships

The Autism Science Foundation awarded $180,000 in grants for doctoral training fellowships to six predoctoral students committed to pursuing careers in basic and clinical scientific research relevant to autism spectrum disorders. This was the first round of grants awarded by the Autism Science Foundation.

The grants were distributed to the following student and mentor teams conducting research in autism treatment, biomarkers, animal models, and epidemiology:

• Sarita Austin/Dr. Rhea Paul, Yale Child Study Center: Enhancing Understanding and Use of Conversational Rules in School-Aged Speakers with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Karen Burner/Dr. Sara Jane Webb, University of Washington, Seattle: Observational and Electrophysiological Assessments of Temperament in Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Rhonda Charles/Dr. Joseph Buxbaum, Mount Sinai School of Medicine: A Preclinical Model for Determining the Role of AVPR1A in Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Sarah Hannigen/Dr. Mark Strauss, University of Pittsburgh: Defining High- and Low-Risk Expression of Emotion in Infants at Risk for Autism
• Matthew Maenner/Dr. Maureen Durkin, University of Wisconsin, Madison: Phenotypic Heterogeneity and Early Identification of ASD in the United States
• Michael Sidorov/Dr. Mark Bear, MIT: Investigation of Postnatal Drug Interventions’ Potential in Rescuing the Symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome in Adult Mice

Grant applications were reviewed by members of the Autism Science Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board and by outside scientific experts in specific subject areas. Grants were also reviewed by Autism Science Foundation’s Stakeholder Review Committee comprised of parents, individuals with autism, a special education teacher, and other stakeholders.

Awarding these grants and funding the future of autism science is by far the most rewarding and exciting work of the Autism Science Foundation. It is your unwavering support and donations that make this research possible.