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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

Stephen J. Sheinkopf, Ph.D.

Executive Director & Clinical Psychologist; Professor, Thompson Endowed Chair in Child Health Administration, Department of Pediatrics

Benjamin Black, M.D.

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

Connie Brooks, Ph.D.

Director of Health Professions; Clinical Professor, Department of Health Psychology

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Abby Powell, M.B.A.

Center Administrator

Psychology/Health Professions

Connie Brooks, Ph.D.

Director of Health Professions; Clinical Professor, Department Health Psychology

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

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

Krista Cowan, M.A.

Neuropsychology Intern, Department of Health Psychology

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Jessica Curran, B.A.

Psychometrist

Michelle Dampf, M.A., CCC-SLP

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

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Megan Henzel, OTR

Occupational Therapist

Rose Kaemmerer, Ph.D.

Psychologist; Assistant Professor, Department of Health Psychology

Andy Knoop, Ph.D.

Psychologist; Clinical Professor, Department of Educational, School & Counseling Psychology

Sarah de Marchena, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Health Psychology

Peyton Matthews, B.S.

Psychometrist

Michael Mohrland, Psy.D., ABPP-CN

Neuropsychologist; Clinical Professor, Department of Health Psychology

Jaime Murtaugh, M.A.

Psychology Intern, Department of Health Psychology

Joanna Mussey, Ph.D.

Psychologist; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry

Kerri Nowell, Ph.D.

Psychologist; Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Health Psychology

Courtney Oden, B.H.S.

Senior Psychometrist

Devanshi Patel, M.S.

Psychology Intern, Department of Health Psychology

Lauren Sapp, B.S.

Psychometrist II

Stephen J. Sheinkopf, Ph.D.

Executive Director & Clinical Psychologist; Professor, Thompson Endowed Chair in Child Health Administration, Department of Pediatrics

Megan Slagel, M.A.

Neuropsychology Intern, Department of Health Psychology

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Ava Smolcic, B.A.

Psychometrist

Jennifer Sykes, Ph.D.

Psychologist; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Health Psychology

Chloe Witte, B.S.HCM.

Psychometrist

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Tania Morales Zelaya, Ph.D.

Clinical Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Health Psychology

Emily Zhou, Psy.D.

Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Health Psychology

Medical Providers

Benjamin Black, M.D.

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

David Beversdorf, M.D.

Neurologist; Professor, Department 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

Cherie Fromm, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS

Nurse Practitioner

John R. Hall, M.D.

Psychiatrist; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry

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

Nurse Practitioner

Jessica Kottmeier, M.S., CGC

Genetic Counselor, Department of Pediatrics

Dean Lasseter, M.D.

General Pediatrician; Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Elly Ranum, M.D.

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellow, Department of Pediatrics

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Amber Ratliff, DO

Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Tracy Stroud, D.O.

Developmental Pediatrician; Professor, Department of Pediatrics

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

Nurse Practitioner

Meg Wang, M.D.

General Pediatrician; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Patient Services

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Amber Reed, M.H.A., B.S.N., RN

Practice Manager

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Nicole Barton

Patient Service Representative

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Bre Boone

Patient Service Representative

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Jack Cooper

Patient Service Representative

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Jorden Docauer

Patient Service Representative

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Janice Gace, LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

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Roberta Lee

Patient Service Representative

Kimberly Mobley

Clinic Supervisor

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Lexie Neal, RN

Clinic Triage Nurse

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Aleca Neuhaus, C.M.A.

Certified Medical Assistant

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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)

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Kailee Bradshaw, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Devyn Bryant, M.S., BCBA

Behavior Analyst

Kendall Condict, M.S., BCBA

Behavior Analyst

Jennifer DeLaporte, MAT, BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

Ali DuCharme, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA

Senior Behavior Analyst

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Kaelyn Kovarik, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Madison Nieuwenhuizen, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Family Resource Services

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Shelby Hert, LMSW

Family Resource Services Supervisor

Leslie Cooper

Family Navigator

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

Family Navigator

Cierra Robertson

Medical Clinic Coordinator

Krista Rodgers, L.M.S.W.

Social Worker

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Jennifer Swantz

Family Navigator

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Larissa Westbrook

Family Navigator

Jessica Yager, B.A.

Family Navigator

Research Core

Nicole Takahashi, M.S.

Research Core Administrator

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

Research Postdoctoral Fellow

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Joshua Bailey, B.A.

Research Specialist I

Dakota Fields, M.S.

Research Specialist II

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Amanda Moffitt Gunn, M.A.

Research Specialist I

Samantha Hunter, M.S.

Clinical Trials Manager

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Bailey Long, B.A.

Research Specialist I

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Devin Smalley

Research Specialist I

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Katelyn Weber, B.A.

Research Specialist I

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 Royer, B.A.

Student Experience Coordinator

Administration

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Abby Powell, M.B.A.

Center Administrator

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Cameron Burton, B.H.S.

Business Operations Associate II

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Monique Gardner

Office Support Assistant IV

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Jenny Hawley

Office Support Assistant IV

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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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Kristyn Castaneda, A.S.

Prior Authorization Specialist

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Lillian Mangano

Prior Authorization Specialist

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Louis Nevins

Business Support Specialist II

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Layne Washburn, M.B.A.

Pre- & Post-Award Grant Specialist