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We’re here to help.

Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is here to address your unique needs and provide the best possible care for your child’s neurodevelopmental journey.

Learn more

Teaching for a stronger community.

We are here to equip learners with the essentials skills needed to create positive change in the lives of people with developmental differences.

Learn more

Researching for a better tomorrow.

Our goal is to unlock discoveries that will revolutionize the lives of individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses.

Learn more

Researchers & Studies

Join A Study

We’re here to help.

Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is here to address your unique needs and provide the best possible care for your child’s neurodevelopmental journey.

Learn more

Teaching for a stronger community.

We are here to equip learners with the essentials skills needed to create positive change in the lives of people with developmental differences.

Learn more

Researching for a better tomorrow.

Our goal is to unlock discoveries that will revolutionize the lives of individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses.

Learn more

Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment

205 Portland Street, Columbia, MO 65211

573-884-6052

Faculty & Staff

At the Thompson Center, we support individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities–along with their families–through world class programs that integrate clinical service, training, and research.

Executive Leadership

Connie Brooks, Ph.D.

Executive Director; Clinical Professor of Health Psychology

Benjamin Black, M.D.

Director of Medical Services; Associate Professor of Clinical Child Health; Ron Ashworth Professorship in Child Development, Department of Pediatrics

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Abby Powell, M.B.A.

Center Administrator

Psychology/Health Professions

Kerri Nowell, Ph.D.

Health Professions Director; Psychologist; Associate Clinical Professor of Health Psychology

Courtney Bernardin, Ph.D., BCBA

Doctoral Intern

Ashleigh Boyd, M.H.S, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Connie Brooks, Ph.D.

Executive Director; Clinical Professor of Health Psychology

Hayley Clocksin, M.A.

Doctoral Intern

Michelle Dampf, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Erica Garrison, MOT, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Megan Henzel, OTR

Supervisor, Outpatient Pediatric Therapy, Mizzou Therapy Services; Occupational Therapist

Rose Kaemmerer, Ph.D.

Psychologist; Associate Clinical Professor of Health Psychology

Andy Knoop, Ph.D.

Psychologist; Clinical Professor of Educational, School & Counseling Psychology

Megan Leonard, M.A.

Doctoral Intern

Michael Mohrland, Psy.D., ABPP-CN

Neuropsychologist; Clinical Professor of Health Psychology

Joanna Mussey, Ph.D.

Psychologist; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

Lindsey Nieuwenhuizen, B.A.

Psychometrist I

Carly Ranum, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Lauren Sapp, B.S.

Senior Psychometrist

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Erynne Shatto, Ph.D.

Psychologist; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

Ava Smolcic, B.A.

Psychometrist II

Jennifer Sykes, Ph.D.

Director of Therapeutic and Intervention Services; Psychologist; Associate Clinical Professor of Health Psychology

Chloe Witte, B.S.HCM.

Psychometrist II

Tania Morales Zelaya, Ph.D.

Clinical Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Health Psychology

Emily Zhou, Psy.D.

Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Health Psychology

Medical Providers

Benjamin Black, M.D.

Director of Medical Services; Associate Professor of Clinical Child Health Ron Ashworth Professorship in Child Development, Department of Pediatrics

David Beversdorf, M.D.

Neurologist; Professor of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychological Sciences; William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology

Katie Blount, D.O., M.P.H.

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellow, Department of Pediatrics

July K. Jean Cuevas, M.D.

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician; Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Cherie Fromm, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS

Nurse Practitioner

Molly Jaecques, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-C

Nurse Practitioner

Dean Lasseter, M.D.

General Pediatrician; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Elly Ranum, M.D.

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellow, Department of Pediatrics

Amber Ratliff, DO

Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Christina Schin, M.D.

Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

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Isabella Steinbach, M.S., CGC

Genetics Counselor

Tracy Stroud, D.O.

Developmental Pediatrician; Professor of Pediatrics

Theresa Swenson, M.S.N., FNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

Meg Wang, M.D.

General Pediatrician; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Patient Services

Amber Reed, MHA, BSA, RN

Clinical Services Manager

Bre Boone

Patient Service Representative

Jack Cooper

Patient Service Representative

Janice Gace, LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

Tammy Hickman, LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

Roberta Lee

Patient Service Representative

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Fedra Lozano

Patient Service Representative

Lexie Neal, RN

Clinic Triage Nurse

Aleca Neuhaus, C.M.A.

Certified Medical Assistant

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Jacely Ponce

Patient Service Representative

Cierra Robertson

Clinic Supervisor

Jennifer Truelove, LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

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Patricia Vieth, BSN, RN

Nursing Supervisor

Applied Behavioral Intervention Services

Emma Keicher, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA

Director of Applied Behavioral Intervention Services (ABIS)

Kailee Bradshaw, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Kendall Condict, M.S., BCBA

Behavior Analyst

Ali DuCharme, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA

Senior Behavior Analyst

Scarlett Fox, B.S.

Registered Behavior Technician

Madison Imler, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

Madison Nieuwenhuizen, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Devyn Stillwell, M.S., BCBA

Behavior Analyst

Family Resource Services

Krista Rodgers, L.M.S.W.

Family Resource Services Manager

Leslie Cooper

Family Navigator

Todd Koppinger, M.S.C.J.S., C.J.C.

Family Navigator

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Jennifer Swantz

Family Navigator

Larissa Westbrook

Family Navigator

Jessica Yager, B.A.

Family Navigator

Research Core

Nicole Takahashi, M.S.

Research Core Director

Erin Andres, M.A., Ph.D.

Research Postdoctoral Fellow

Dakota Fields, M.S.

Research Specialist II

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Colleen Garrett, GCertHPM, B.A., NREMT, RPhT

Research Specialist II

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Amanda Moffitt Gunn, M.A.

Research Specialist II

Nick Kanne, B.S.

Research Specialist I

Bailey Long, B.A.

Research Specialist I

Jane Manson, B.A.

Research Specialist I

Stephen J. Sheinkopf, Ph.D.

Professor of Pediatrics

Training Core

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Cortney Fish, M.S.W., BCBA, LBA

Training Core Director

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Jaclyn Benigno, M.Ed.

Autism Training Specialist, STRIVE Program Coordinator

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Julie Muckerman, M.P.H.

Autism Training Specialist

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Heidi Willoughby, B.A.

Autism Training Specialist

Administration

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Abby Powell, M.B.A.

Center Administrator

Cameron Burton, B.H.S.

Business Operations Associate II

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Monique Gardner

Office Support Assistant IV

Jenny Hawley, B.A.

Office Support Assistant IV

Emily Morrison, M.A.

Strategic Communications Consultant

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Brett Slaughter

Support Systems Admin-Expert

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Rhett Slaughter

Facility Dog Emeritus

Business

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Marie Heuer, MBA

Fiscal Lead

Kristyn Castaneda, A.S.

Prior Authorization Specialist

Lillian Mangano

Prior Authorization Specialist

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Louis Nevins

Business Support Specialist II

Layne Washburn, M.B.A.

Pre- & Post-Award Grant Specialist