Research
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 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...
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....
Deputy Director Tim Vogus Interviews with Owen School of Management; Discusses Managements Role in Neuroinclusion
Apr. 13, 2024—In this new article highlighting the importance of ND in the workplace, Owen School of Management interviews FCAI Deputy Director Tim Vogus, discussing a manager’s role in creating an inclusive environment. The article emphasizes the challenges that neurodivergent individuals face and the benefits that workplaces can experience by embracing ND. With a focus on education,...
February FCAI Salon Series: Taste the Rainbow: Designing with Color and Patterns for Neurodiversity with Kendra Oliver
Feb. 4, 2024—We are excited to announce this month’s Salon Series speaker, Kendra Oliver! This months talk will be held online only, and sign up is available here. Please come and get to know another of our wonderful Frist Center fellows. When: Tuesday 13th February, 2024 at Noon CT Where: Virtual – https://vanderbilt.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkc-mpqj8vGdXUQE367brA43pY4q4B075Z#/registration Kendra Oliver Talk Description:...
FCAI Autism Summer Internship Applications Now Open for 2024!
Jan. 11, 2024—The Frist Center is excited to announce applications are now open for our Autism Summer Internship Program. The program is open to undergraduate students who identify as neurodiverse (either through formal or self-diagnosis). Through this internship, successful applicants will undergo a STEM project with a faculty mentor, under the guidance of the Frist Center for...
SDSU and Vanderbilt Driving Training Program Featured on Fox 5 San Diego
Nov. 4, 2023—On November 4th, 2023, Fox 5 San Diego visited the NSF funded Vanderbilt and San Diego State partnership program for new driver training for people with autism. This AI-based program, which the NSF has funded, teaches potential drivers everything they need to know about driving before getting on the road, with lessons involving virtual reality...