FCAI News
FCAI Presents Professor Santoshi Halder for Talk Addressing the Challenges and Strengths of Autistic Traits from India to the USA on Dec 10th! REGISTER NOW!
Dec. 5, 2024—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center are excited to present a distinguished lecture by Prof. Santoshi Halder, Ph.D., current Fulbright Scholar in Residence at Bluefield State University, on December 10, 2024. The presentation, “Exploring Autism Traits and Addressing their Challenges and Strengths: Excerpts from research in India and the USA,”...
FCAI Director Keivan Stassun Featured on the NSF Discovery Files Podcast
Dec. 2, 2024—Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Dr. Keivan G. Stassun, a professor at Vanderbilt University, recently appeared on an episode of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Discovery Files podcast. In this episode, Dr. Stassun discusses his groundbreaking work in astronomy, efforts to enhance diversity in STEM fields, and the significance of neurodiversity in driving innovative...
FCAI Associate Director Dave Caudel Interviewed on Autism Weekly Podcast
Nov. 5, 2024—In an episode of Autism Weekly that dropped in September, our Associate Director Dave Caudel was interviewed about transforming workplaces for neurodivergent individuals. Autism Weekly is a podcast that discusses Autism news, current events, and inclusion. Each week, host Jeffrey Skibitsky welcomes a guest to the program to share their unique perspective and expertise regarding...
AutismTN to Host Hybrid, Autistic-Led Panel on Introduction to Autistic Culture
Oct. 9, 2024—FCAI are excited to announce a free, hybrid, Autistic-led panel discussion titled “Introduction to Autistic Culture.” This event is the first in a series funded by HumanitiesTN and hosted by AutismTN. Additionally Associate Director Dave Caudel, a valued member of the AutismTN Advisory Board, is involved in this initiative: Event Details: Date: Thursday, October 24 Time: 6:00...
FCAI Program and Communications Coordinator Launches Non-Profit at the Intersection of Neurodiversity and Space Science: The Neuroverse Initiative
Oct. 2, 2024—We are thrilled to share that our Program and Communications manager, Jessica Schonhut-Stasik, launched her non-profit, The Neuroverse Initiative (TNI), last week. This unique initiative operates at the intersection of space science and neurodiversity, with a mission to support neurodivergent space scientists in training, research, and advocacy. The mission statement of the new non-profit reads:...
FCAI Director Keivan Stassun Wins Prestigious MacArthur Genius Grant
Oct. 1, 2024—We are thrilled to announce that our Director, Keivan G. Stassun, has been awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the “Genius Grant.” This incredible honor has been awarded to Director Stassun for his work “expanding opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and careers for underrepresented populations.” Under the guidance of...
FCAI Welcomes New Fellows and Affiliates!
Jul. 14, 2024—** Originally Posted 14th July, 2024 ** We are delighted to welcome our new FCAI Fellows and Affiliates for 2024. Read on to learn more about these exceptional individuals. Rachel Hundley – FCAI Affiliate Rachael is a Psychologist and Associate Professor in Pediatrics. Her clinical and research efforts have focused on assessment for autistic and...
NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan Wins Research Award
Jul. 11, 2024—FCAI Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow Hari Srinivasan has been awarded the 2024 Autistic and Neurodivergent Scholars Working for Equity in Research (ANSWER) Scholars Program Award for his project “Navigating the Near: Virtual Reality Investigations of Peripersonal Space in Autism.” Srinivasan will receive a $10,000 award next academic year to work toward this research....
NISE Fellow, FCAI Fellow, and Associate Director Author Paper on Recruiting and Retaining Autistic Talent in STEMM
Jun. 13, 2024—Check out the groundbreaking commentary “Recruiting and Retaining Autistic Talent in STEMM” by Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow Amber Crabtree, with collaboration from FCAI fellow AJ Hinton and FCAI Associate Director Dave Caudel. Published in iScience, the article addresses the high unemployment rates and challenges autistic adults face in science, technology, engineering, math, and...
FCAI NISE Fellow Receives Fisk-Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Fellow Position
Jun. 13, 2024—With great pride, we announce the selection of graduate student and FCAI NISE Fellow Amber Crabtreeas the recipient of the prestigious Fisk-Vanderbilt postdoctoral fellowship. This achievement is a testament to Amber’s hard work and the guidance she has received from her mentors, including FCAI Fellow AJ Hinton in the lab of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics....