Our Team

Dr. Julie L. Thompson, PhD, BCBA-D
BLINC Lab Director, Principal Investigator, Associate Professor

Julie L. Thompson, PhD, BCBA-D, is an Associate Professor of Special Education, Behavioral Learning INterventions in Children (BLINC) Lab Director; Core Faculty Member of the Texas A&M University Institute for Early Childhood Development and Education; and Affiliated Faculty Member of the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University. Julie’s work as a classroom teacher for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) gave her insight into the layered complexities of providing adequate education to individuals with ASD in public schools.

Julie’s BLINC lab uses mixed-methods research to specialize in two areas: academic instruction for students with profound autism and/or intellectual disabilities AND preventing and teaching replacement behaviors to students with interfering problem behaviors in the classroom, in order to support inclusion, communication, independence, and lifelong fulfillment. Julie has been PI on seven externally funded awards totaling $3,864,799 and Co-PI four externally funded awards totaling $30.14 million. Julie has 22 peer-reviewed publications, 58 peer-reviewed presentations, and has chaired or co-chaired 15 doctoral students.

jlthompson@tamu.edu

Aliana Chavez

Hometown: Hutto, Texas
Current Projects: IMPACTS Lab at Baylor University
Department: Educational Psychology

Research Interest: access to the general education math curriculum, evidence-based practices, teacher preparation, high support needs, independence, and post-school outcomes

Samantha Gonzalez

Hometown: Belton, Texas
Current Projects: Project TAPP
Department: Educational Psychology

Research Interest: Supporting the unmet needs of preservice and novice special educators, specifically in the areas of communication and behavior

Avri Vela

Hometown: Round Rock, Texas
Current Projects: Assisting with eye-tracking assessment and technology
Department: Psychological Brain Sciences, Education and Human Development

Research Interest: I am a senior undergraduate student passionate about supporting children on the autism spectrum, exploring child development, and promoting access to resources that help students thrive in the classroom.

Anindita Banerjee

Hometown: Kolkata (India)
Current Projects: Dissertation, C2C
Department: Educational Psychology

Research Interest: Supporting families in their understanding of and application of naturalistic developmental and behavioral strategies to help their children with autism enhance their social and communication skills at home.

Christina Fogtman

Hometown: Houston, Texas
Current Projects: Project NEST
Department: Educational Psychology

Research Interest: Retention of highly qualified Special Education teachers through meaningful classroom preparation and expectations; AAC and its impacts on behavioral and academic success

Paula Henderson

Hometown: Waco, Texas
Department: Educational Psychology

Research Interest: Preparation and support of preservice and early-career teachers in meeting the academic, communication, and behavioral needs of students with low-incidence disabilities using evidence-based approaches to teacher training that promote effective instructional practices, foster inclusive classroom environments, and support long-term teacher retention.

Sanjukta B. Muhkerji

Hometown: Katy, Texas
Current Projects: Project SUCCESS
Department: Educational Psychology

Research Interest: Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Applied Behavior Analysis to create smart solutions in the workplace for individuals with ASD.

Michael Oliver

Hometown: New Caney, Texas
Current Projects: Dissertation; Project FRaME
Department: Educational Psychology

Research Interest: Supporting general education teachers in their understanding of and application in student challenging behaviors via evidence-based behavioral support strategies.

• Meaghan Devlin
• Lindsey Loflin
• Angela Kang
• Eun Hye (Grace) Ko
• Ileana Umana
• Claudia Dunn
• Xin (Cynthia) Dong
• Jiacheng Lu
• Hope Harrod
• Christina Gushanas
• Christopher Prickett