DR. PAMELA R. ROLLINS

Pamela R. Rollins, Professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, earned her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Boston University (1981), her master of science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1983), and her doctor of education from Harvard University (1994). Her research centers on the dynamics of infant and child social interactions, exploring how early social experiences influence social attention, communication, and language development. She has extended this work to focus on autistic children, mapping developmental pathways and conducting translational research. Currently, she is investigating mutual gaze as a predictor of social development and developing culturally and linguistically responsive social communication interventions for low-income Hispanic autistic children. Additionally, she is exploring AI-driven methods for assessing social attention.

CHRISLOVE ULYSSE

Chrislove Ulysse serves as the Laboratory Manager for the Social Communication Lab. In May of 2022, Chrislove earned her bachelor of science degree in psychology from The University of Florida. Chrislove aspires to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology, with a focus on advancing mental health advocacy for the Black and African American communities, particularly for children. She aims to create a more inclusive environment that addresses the unique challenges faced by these groups.

SARA BRANTLEY, MEd, BCBA

Sara Brantley, M.Ed., BCBA is a clinical trial researcher in the Social Communication Lab, where she has worked since 2016. Sara is responsible for conducting research intakes, administering study assessments, and providing Pathways Parent Training to parents and children suspected of/diagnosed with autism. Prior to working in research at UTD, she worked in early childhood intervention (ECI). During her career at ECI she worked with families and children with a wide array of developmental delays and held leadership positions such as quality management specialist, early interventionist supervisor, and assistant program director. She completed her undergraduate degree at The University of Houston in psychology in 2002 and her master’s degree at Arizona State University in education in 2018. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and has been working with children on the autism spectrum for more than 20 years.

CRISTINA RANGEL URIBE, MS, CCC-SLP

Cristina Rangel Uribe, MS, CCC-SLP, is a bilingual clinical trial researcher in the Dr. Rollins’ Social Communication Lab. She first began working in Social Communication Lab in 2013 as a student and has worked on three research grants funded by THECB AGP to investigate the efficacy of Pathways Early Autism Intervention. Cristina is responsible for conducting research intakes, administering study assessments, and providing Pathways Parent Training in English and Spanish. In addition, she gives presentations to parents and professionals in English and Spanish. Cristina completed her undergraduate degree at The University of California at San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in linguistics in 2009. She earned her master’s degree in communication disorders at The University of Texas at Dallas in 2014. She has been working with children on the autism spectrum for 15 years.

PAOLA GOLEMON

Paola Golemon is a bilingual clinical trial researcher in the Social Communication Lab. She received her bachelor of science in psychology and child learning and development from The University of Texas at Dallas in May 2024. She is currently in the second year of her master of science in human development and early childhood disorders. Her interest in research began in the Social Communication Lab when she participated in the Research Experience for Undergraduates Program during the 2022-2023 school year, where she was able to transcribe, code, and analyze data for her own research project under the mentorship of Dr. Rollins. She has a particular interest in early intervention for children with autism and other developmental disorders, and she hopes to serve families in underserved communities.

ERIN KOSLOSKI

Erin is a doctoral student in the speech, language, & hearing sciences program at UT Dallas. She graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with an individualized bachelor’s degree in psycholinguistics applied to Autism, minors in Spanish and psychology, and a certificate in intercultural communication. She has been working with autistic children and young adults since 2015, and she is passionate about supporting and advocating for people on the spectrum.

SIDDHI PATEL

Siddhi is currently a doctoral student in the speech, language, and hearing science program at UT Dallas. She worked as a speech-language pathologist for about a year with a focus on the assessment and treatment of pediatric language disorders. She is interested in understanding the social development of autistic children.

KASSIDIE RODRIGUEZ

Kassidie is a graduate student in the speech-language pathology program at UT Dallas, where she previously earned her bachelor of arts degree in criminology in May 2023. Her interest in speech and communication disorders was inspired by interactions with family members diagnosed with ASD and speech sound disorders. With a deep passion for working with children, Kassidie is especially dedicated to advocating for those with autism spectrum disorder, aiming to make a positive difference in their lives.

CHLOE SCHELLY GEILMAN

Chloe a freshman in the master’s program here at UT Dallas. She finished her undergrad at Brigham Young University, where she was heavily involved in research. Her time in research involved mostly transcription and coding at first. Then, she was able to start leading projects. The culminating moment of her research career thus far was presenting the Communication Partner Training Module she created at the ASHA convention in Boston last year. She looks forward to expanding her research experience at UT Dallas and beyond. Outside of research, she loves playing tennis, swimming, enjoying a long walk, painting, crocheting, hanging out with her husband, and going to church! She is from a small mountain town in California, so Dallas‘ flat landscape and hot weather is new to her. Nonetheless, she is loving the area so far. She is looking forward to all of the people she will meet and learn from here.

CARISSA KAUTZ

Carissa Kautz is a speech-language pathology graduate student at The University of Texas at Dallas. She holds a bachelor of science in speech-language pathology from Texas Christian University. Carissa has worked with children with mental and physical disabilities for the past 6 years, and is particularly interested in working with children with autism. By contributing to the social communication lab, she hopes to positively impact families navigating autism.

SARA MONARREZ

Sara Monarrez is currently pursuing her master’s degree in communication disorders at The University of Texas at Dallas. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor of science in speech-language pathology and a minor in Spanish. For the past four years she has worked as a Registered Behavior Technician providing therapy to children with Autism.

BRIANA REYES

Briana, MS is a bilingual graduate student pursuing her second master’s degree in speech-language pathology at The University of Texas at Dallas. She holds a master’s degree in human development and childhood disorders, along with dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and child learning and development from the same institution. Through her academic experiences and three years in Richardson Independent School District’s extended learning department, Briana developed a strong passion for early childhood intervention and the evaluation of developmental disorders. She is dedicated to providing comprehensive assessments to young children and their families.

ADRIENNE DE FROY

Adrienne received her PhD from UT Dallas in 2023. She is currently an assistant professor and the Global Coordinator for the Communication Disorders department at New Mexico State University.

LISA GREENWALD

Lisa Greenwald is the Chief Executive Officer at Kindering, the largest not-for-profit Neurodevelopmental Center of Excellence in Washington State. Lisa holds a PhD in communication sciences and disorders from The University of Texas at Dallas, an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Duke University, and has been a speech-language pathologist since 1997. She holds a governor-appointed seat on the State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) and serves on its executive steering committee. She has published peer-reviewed articles and contributes to research in her field.

Kindering Bellevue | 16120 NE 8th Street, Bellevue, WA 98008 | www.kindering.org

MICHELLE (NEILON) MCFARLIN

Michelle (Neilon) McFarlin, MS, CCC/SLP, is owner and founding director of the Social Communication Connection (SCC), a private practice specializing in early childhood speech-language and social communication disorders. SCC offers comprehensive speech-language evaluations and interdisciplinary autism diagnostic services, as well as individual and small group therapy to facilitate social skills, speech, and language development. Using a whole-child and family-centered approach, we facilitate each child’s highest potential for functional communication across natural contexts.

Social Communication Connection | contact@scc-slp.com | scc-slp.com

CAROL TRAUTMAN

Carol Trautman, PhD | Texas Education Agency | Autism Coordinator, Division of Special Education
1701 N Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 | 512.463.8859
carol.trautman@tea.texas.gov

RACHEL WEHNER

Rachel graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2005 and from The University of Texas at Dallas with a master’s degree in communication disorders in 2008. She has worked as a speech-language pathologist at the UTD Callier Center for Communication Disorders since completing graduate school, specializing in the assessment and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder and feeding disorders. Since 2014, she has also been a member of the interdisciplinary team that provides diagnostic evaluations for autism spectrum disorder at the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.