Program Faculty and Professional Staff
The program faculty described below all hold the doctorate in psychology with a specialization in behavior analysis and teach one or more program courses.
James Carr (Ph.D., Florida State University, 1996; Associate Professor). Dr. Carr is the co-director of the ABA program. His current research and clinical interests include the behavioral treatment of developmental disabilities, verbal behavior, and practitioner training. Dr. Carr has published over 100 articles, books, and chapters and is currently a member of the board of directors of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. He is a past associate editor of Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and has served on the editorial boards of 8 other journals. Dr. Carr received his Ph.D. in 1996 from Florida State University and previously served on the psychology faculties at University of Nevada-Reno (1996-1999) and Western Michigan University (1999-2008).
Linda LeBlanc (Ph.D., Louisiana State University, 1996; Associate Professor). Dr. LeBlanc is the co-director of the ABA program. She previously served on the psychology faculties at Claremont McKenna College (1997-1999) and Western Michigan University (1999-2008). Her current research and clinical interests include the behavioral treatment of autism and developmental disabilities across the lifespan, behavioral gerontology, verbal behavior, and technology-based interventions. Dr. LeBlanc has published 60 articles and book chapters and is currently an associate editor of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Education and Treatment of Children. She serves as an editorial board member for Behavior Analysis in Practice, European Journal of Behavior Analysis, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Research in Developmental Disabilities. Over the last 10 years, she has participated in Michigan state task forces to revise the educational eligibility criteria for autism spectrum disorders, to specify best educational practice in autism, and to make recommendations for addressing later life issues of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Christopher Newland (Ph.D. Georgia Institute of Technology, 1982; Professor) Dr. Newland's research activity is focused on the application of basic research in behavior analysis to the examination of exposure to toxic substances or drugs that act on the nervous system. In particular he is examining experimental models of abnormal development. This includes the long-term effects of heavy metal exposure, including methylmercury, lead, and manganese, as well as behaviorally active drugs. He has worked with both human and animal models. At present his laboratory is examining the consequences of exposure, during gestation, to methylmercury, omega-3 fatty acids, and selenium (alone and in combination) on development and aging. These substances are thought to impair neural development by their presence (methylmercury) or absence (omega-3 fatty acids, selenium). Dr. Newland's group is reporting that these substances can also accelerate the course of aging, even if exposure occurs only during development.
Jennifer Gillis (Ph.D., Binghamton University, 2006; Assistant Professor). In 2006, Dr. Gillis completed a clinical psychology internship at the Brown University Training Consortium. Currently, she is an assistant professor of psychology at Auburn University. Since 2003, Dr. Gillis holds a national certification in Behavior Analysis (issued by the BACB). Her primary research area is Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, and PDD-NOS. Her research interests include the investigation of psychophysiological and attentional processes in children with social skills and interaction deficits, mental health issues in families with children with developmental disabilities, comorbidity issues in developmental disabilities and anxiety disorders, and development of interventions for anxiety disorders in individuals with ASD. Her clinical interests include intensive behavioral interventions for young children with ASD, anxiety disorders (including OCD), and medical-related issues of young children with chronic illnesses, including ASD. She is also interested in public policy issues related to early intervention.
In addition, the following individuals are employed as full-time professional staff in the practicum component of the program.
Adam Briggs (M.S., BCBA, Auburn University, 2009) Practicum Coordinator
Ramsey Miller (M.S., BCBA, Auburn University, 2009) Practicum Coordinator
Ginger Totherow (M.S., BCBA, Auburn University, 2006) Practicum Coordinator