Frist Center
NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan and FCAI Fellow Dr. Tyler Derr Win Vanderbilt University Impact Awards
Apr. 18, 2025—We want to Congratulate two members of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation family today, Dr. Tyler Derr and Hari Srinivasan. This week, Vanderbilt University acknowledged them with Impact Awards in the faculty and PhD student categories, respectively. Dr. Tyler Derr is a fellow of the Frist Center and an assistant professor of computer...
Welcome to the Frist Center Blog: Where Innovation Meets Neurodiversity
Apr. 17, 2025—Welcome to the first ever post of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation (FCAI) blog! We are beyond excited to introduce you to this space which we hope will flourish into a hub of connection. Housed in the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University, the Frist Center is at the forefront of integrating leading...
Register today for the “Inspiration from Innovators” Online Conference
Apr. 16, 2025—We’re proud to partner with the Inspiration from Innovators Online Conference, happening Wednesday, April 30th! 
This one-of-a-kind online event will showcase best practices and actionable insights from expert organizations that are leading the way in creating neurodiverse-friendly workplaces. Why attend? 
Learn directly from trailblazing companies and non-profits Gain practical strategies to make...
Dr. Tim Vogus to Deliver Jane Hannah Roundtable Talk at Currey Ingram Academy on April 10th — Register Now!
Apr. 3, 2025—On April 10th, Deputy Director of Business Innovations for FCAI, Dr. Tim Vogus, will deliver a Jane Hannah Roundtable talk at the Annette Eskind Institute of Learning at the Currey Ingram Academy, entitled “Embracing Neurodiversity and Making Organizations Inclusive for All“. The mission of the Annette Eskind Institute of Learning (AEIOL) is to strengthen the...
Announcing “From Autism Acceptance to Advantage” Event, Hosted by AllianceBernstein in NYC — Register NOW!
Mar. 24, 2025—This Autism Acceptance Month, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and Vanderbilt University are partnering with Alliance Bernstein to host an NYC event entitled, From Autism Acceptance to Advantage: Learning from Autism to Create Innovative Workplaces and Teams. Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month and learn how to make your organization and your teams more effective,...
Article in The Tennessean Highlights the Need to Hiring a Neurodivergent Workforce
Mar. 19, 2025—This week in The Tennessean, guest columnists Keivan G. Stassun (Dirctor of FCAI) and Jon Perlin (Advisory Board of FCAI) highlight overlooked talents of neurodivergent workers in today’s job market. While major tech companies like Amazon and Dell have made strides in hiring neurodivergent individuals, there are still millions who remain unrecognized. They argue that...
March 31st — Neurodiverse Technologies Open House! Come and Experience SANDI at FCAI!
Mar. 16, 2025—Come to our open house on March 31st to experience SANDI the Simulator for Advanced Neurodivergent Driving Instruction! We are thrilled to invite you to the Neurodiverse Technologies Open House to experience SANDI, our groundbreaking virtual driving simulator designed to make driving education accessible, safe, and anxiety-free for student drivers. Event Details Where: Frist Center...
Media Covers $7 Million in Canceled Grants to FCAI
Mar. 13, 2025—Due to funding cuts to the National Science Foundation made after the executive orders in the last several weeks, FCAI has lost $7 million in expected federal grant funding, and along with it some of our cornerstone programs for national impact. The $7 million in funding had been rigorously reviewed by NSF and was authorized...
FCAI February Salon Series: The Intersection of ND at Work with the ND Movement – REGISTER NOW!
Feb. 8, 2025—In this fireside chat style conversation, Dr. Vogus will facilitate a dialogue between Dr. Posselt and Dr. Annabi to examine the intersections between the Neurodiversity at Work movement and the broader Neurodiversity movement. Together, they will explore key characteristics of effective social movements, the role of the Neurodiversity at Work movement in advancing the broader...
Salon Series Lunch and Learn Tomorrow — REGISTER NOW!
Jan. 30, 2025—Tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 31, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation will welcome a team of investors from A.E., a venture capital group and startup incubator team that has built a substantial venture capital fund specifically for projects/products that pertain to autism/neurodiversity and that may have commercial potential. As part of the Frist Center’s interest...