Fellowship Research

Recent Graduates

Caroline Kirby, M.D., M.P.H.

Research Project: Improving Access to Specialty Developmental Care for Patients from Low Resourced Backgrounds within their Medical Home
Research Mentors: Cynthia Rand, M.D., M.P.H., Dennis Kuo, M.D. M.H.S., Kenya Malcolm, Ph.D., Abigail Kroening, M.D., Steve Sulkes, M.D.

Adriana Verwey, M.D., M.P.H. 

Research Project: Obesity and Neighborhood Adversity in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Research Mentors: Susan Hyman, MD, Suzannah Iadarola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Jeffery Yaeger, M.D., M.P.H., Steve Sulkes, M.D. (ad hoc)

Emily Knight, M.D., Ph.D.

Research Project: Electrophysiologic investigation of sensory perception mechanisms among children on the autism spectrum.
Research Mentors: Susan Hyman, MD, John Foxe, PhD, Ed Freedman, PhD, Steve Sulkes, M.D. (ad hoc)

Jenniffer Herrera, M.D.

Research Project: Does Hispanic ethnicity influence utilization of Early Intervention services, age at diagnosis, and symptom severity for children being evaluated for autism spectrum disorders in early childhood?
Research Mentors: Susan L. Hyman, M.D., Jessica Roesser, M.D., Amina Alio, Ph.D., Steve Sulkes, M.D. (ad hoc)

Robert Nutt, M.D.

Research Project: Parental decision-making following diagnosis of hearing loss in infants through the Universal Newborn Screening Program: state and community resources and external influences.
Research Mentors: Susan L. Hyman, M.D., James Dolan, M.D., M.P.H. Mark Orlando, Ph.D., M.S., Peter Veazie, Ph.D., Stephen B. Sulkes, M.D. (ad hoc)

Abigail Kroening, M.D.

Research Projects: 

• Developmental screening for refugee populations
  Research Mentors: Susan L. Hyman, M.D., Moira A. Szilagyi, M.D., Ph.D., Tristram H. Smith, Ph.D., Stephen B. Sulkes, M.D.(ad hoc)
•  Autism/developmental disorders in the foster care population
  Research Mentors:Susan L. Hyman, M.D., Moira A. Szilagyi, M.D., Ph.D., Tristram H. Smith, Ph.D., Stephen B. Sulkes, M.D.(ad hoc)
• Medical education surrounding developmental disabilities (for trainees and, perhaps, general pediatricians)
  Research Mentors:Susan L. Hyman, M.D., Moira A. Szilagyi, M.D., Ph.D., Tristram H. Smith, Ph.D., Stephen B. Sulkes, M.D.(ad hoc)

Stephanie Straka, D.O.

Research Project: Nutrition and Autism
Research Mentors: Susan L. Hyman, M.D., Patricia Ann Stewart, Ph.D., Stephen Cook M.D., Stephen B. Sulkes, M.D. (ad hoc)

Jara Johnson, D.O., M.P.H.

Research Project: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Months of Conception, and Stratification Amongst Specific Phenotypes of Autism
Research Mentors: Susan L. Hyman, M.D., Edwin VanWijngaarden, Ph.D., C Andrew Aligne, M.D., M.P.H., Scott Richard Smith, M.D., M.P.H.
Publications: Hyman SL, Johnson JK. Autism and pediatric practice:toward a medical home J Autism Dev Disord. 2012 Jun;42(6):1156-64.

Kimberly A. Johnson, M.D.

Research Project: Effects of iron depletion and supplementation on the behavior of children with autism spectrum disorders
Research Mentors: Tristram H. Smith, Ph.D., Susan L. Hyman, M.D., Jill S. Halterman, M.D., M.P.H., Stephen B. Sulkes, M.D. (ad hoc)

Jessica L. Reiffer, M.D.

Research Project: Autism and genetics research
Research Mentors: Susan L. Hyman, M.D., Chin-To Fong, M.D., Jennifer M. Kwon, M.D., M.P.H., Stephen B. Sulkes, M.D. (ad hoc)