Jessica H. Franco, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCBA-D, is a Clinical Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Austin. She has focused her research and teaching on understanding and supporting children with ASD. Dr. Franco has over 20 years of experience and has established new specialized autism programs including the TALKS program (Training for Adults in Language and Key Skills), Project LIFT (Language Acquisition as a Foundation for Transition), Project SKILLS PLUS and Project BRIDGE (to successful transition outcomes.

Madhu Sundarrajan, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor at the University of the Pacific. She specializes in exploring typical and atypical patterns of speech and language development. She has worked as a site- coordinator for NIH funded grants and has considerable experience in areas of evaluation and statistical analysis. Her current research interests include exploring intervention methodologies to treat speech and language disorders in children with ASD and hearing impairment.

Rachel Zandy is a graduate student at The University of Texas at Austin, completing her MS in Speech-Language Pathology. Rachel earned her BS in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa, with minors in Education and Psychology. Rachel is pursuing a Multicultural Certificate in her Speech-Language Pathology program and is completing a Master’s Portfolio in Disability Studies. Following graduation, Rachel is interested in working with adolescents with speech and language disorders.

Mariana (Mari) Rodriguez is a second-year graduate student at University of Texas at Austin. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, with a Minor in Psychology from the University of the Pacific. Mari is working towards receiving a Bilingual/Multicultural certificate through UT Austin. Her interests include working with Bilingual individuals & families, Parent Training, and Early Intervention.

Angela Medrano is a second year graduate student at The University of Texas at Austin, completing her MS in Speech-Language Pathology. She holds a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences and B.A. in Spanish from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Angela is a BRIDGE scholar and is pursuing a Bilingual certificate in Speech Language Pathology. Her interests include bilingual language development, culturally and linguistically appropriate service provision, and functional communication across the lifespan.

Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin

Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Dell Children's Medical Group

Project ASPEN, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin

Project ASPEN, School of Social Work, Texas State University

2016-2017

2017-2018

2018-2019

2019-2020