People
Grace Baranek PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA ⟩
Associate Dean, Chair, and Mrs. T.H. Chan Professor of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Dr. Grace Baranek’s research focuses on the identification of behavioral and neurophysiological risk markers in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders, primarily in the domains of sensory reactivity and regulation, motor functions, and social communication. Trained as both an occupational therapist and developmental psychologist, she is an internationally renowned expert on the clinical characterization of sensory features in children with ASD and on the impact of these heterogeneous presentations on child and family outcomes using mixed methods research. Dr. Baranek has developed numerous assessment tools, including the First Year(s) Inventory and the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire. As a Principal Investigator (PI) of the Parents and Infants Engaged (PIE) project funded by NICHD, she is developing novel intervention to promote caregivers’ awareness and responsiveness to their infant’s sensory reactivity and prelinguistic communication in everyday life. During her career, Dr. Baranek has served as the PI or Co-PI of multiple extramural grants funded by federal agencies and private foundations and is the author of more than 90 peer-reviewed papers. She has been a member of working groups of the National Academy of Science and the National Institutes of Health to establish guidelines for evidence-based practices and served as a technical expert for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Committee on comparative effectiveness of interventions targeting sensory challenges in children with ASD. As the director of the new Innovations in Neurodevelopmental Sensory Processing Research (insp!re) Laboratory, she leads a dynamic multidisciplinary team of investigators, students, and postdoctoral fellows, all of whom are dedicated to promoting optimal engagement and development for young children with neurodevelopmental differences. Dr. Baranek also serves on the executive committee of the Program for Early Autism Research, Leadership, and Service (PEARLS), a multisite, interdisciplinary network of researchers committed to earlier identification and interventions for young children at-risk for ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
Dr. Baranek’s favorite occupations: She enjoys yoga (by herself!) and cooking and hiking with her son and husband in her spare time.
John Sideris PhD ⟩
Professor of Research
Director of Instrument Development and Psychometric/Statistical Analysis
Dr. Sideris is a quantitative psychologist and psychometrician. He has served as the data analyst on many projects ranging from investigations of children with developmental delays — particularly with regard to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related syndromes — to studies of early childcare programs. His studies of children with delays have focused primarily on children and adolescents with ASD, Down syndrome, and FXS. Much of this research has centered on their sensory features, social engagement, language, neural processes, and developmental trajectories. In early childcare, his work has focused on the measurement of childcare quality generally and as it relates to children with disabilities. Dr. Sideris has particular expertise in longitudinal modeling (e.g., change over time in children with developmental delays) and in latent variable models (e.g. factor analysis of existing and new measures).
Dr. Sideris’s favorite occupation: He is a great lover of comedy and can frequently be found shaking with laughter at one of LA’s great comedy theaters.
Julia Lisle OTD, OTR/L ⟩
Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
Dr. Julia Lisle received her Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Rehabilitation from the University of Arizona, and both her Master of Arts and Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degrees from the University of Southern California. Dr. Lisle completed her doctoral residency with the USC Chan Autism Initiative, where she engaged in research, community consultations with local museums, and implementation of the PCORI funded TRUST project. She also has experience using hippotherapy as a treatment tool in pediatrics. Her research interests include sensory processing, autism, and early intervention.
Allison Phillips OTD, OTR/L ⟩
Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
Dr. Allison Phillips received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from USC, her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University, and her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from USC. Within the Chan division, she works primarily in the Innovations in Neurodevelopmental Sensory Processing Research (insp!re) laboratory. As the lab’s Clinical Assessment Training Coordinator, she trains doctoral and master’s level students and administers early autism screening tools and assessments. Her research interests include early risk signs for autism and early autism screening with high-risk infants and understudied populations abroad. In addition to her role in the insp!re lab, she assists the academic fieldwork team with out of area and out of state level II fieldwork outreach.
Emily Sopkin OTD, OTR/L ⟩
Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
Emily Sopkin received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and both her Master of Arts and Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degrees from the University of Southern California. She also completed the USC Chan Sensory Integration Continuing Education Certificate Program in 2017. Dr. Sopkin studied community programming for individuals with autism during her doctoral residency with USC Chan’s autism initiative, and continues to consult with local museums on ways of expanding their access and inclusivity efforts. Additional interests include the role of creative and performing arts in occupational therapy practice. Currently, Dr. Sopkin is facilitating the development, implementation and monitoring of the USC Chan 2019-2023 Strategic Plan.
Katherine Hayes ⟩
Data Management Coordinator
Katherine has a BS in Global Health and a Master of Public Health in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from the University of Southern California. While working towards her Master’s degree, Katherine was a teaching assistant for multiple undergraduate courses in the Health Promotion/Disease Prevention department at USC including “Environmental Impacts on the Brain,” “Behavior and Education Strategies for Nutrition and Fitness,” and “Obesity and Health.” She also worked as a student researcher assisting with qualitative and quantitative data collection, management, and analysis for a study funded by both USC’s Keck School of Medicine and the LA County Department of Public Health that investigated smoke-free policies in multi-unit housing in Los Angeles. She is passionate about making a positive impact on people’s lives through health research.
Katherine’s favorite occupations: traveling, going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and singing.
Savannah Gluck MOT, OTR/L ⟩
PhD Student in Occupational Science
Savannah received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from St. Ambrose University. She is an occupational therapist with experience in public schools, charter schools, and clinics near the central coast and Bay Area in California. Her research interests are focused on early indicators that may lead to an autism diagnosis, including sensory processing and communication differences. She is particularly interested in strengths-based parent education in relationship to screening, diagnosis, and early-intervention. Additionally, researching the relationships between physiological markers and the aforementioned factors. She plans to pursue a career in academia after her time in the insp!re lab.
Savannah’s favorite occupations: She enjoys dancing (ballet in particular), yoga, rock-climbing, and adventuring outdoors with her pug and fiancé.
Yu (Tony) Tang ⟩
PhD Student in Occupational Science
Tony is a licensed occupational therapist. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics from New York University and his occupational therapy degrees from University of Southern California. After working as a pediatric occupational therapist in China for three years, he decided to pursue his PhD at Chan. His current interests focus on children’s development and the support needed for neurodivergent individuals throughout their life cycles. Some of the specific aspects of his inquiries include: What are protective (predictive) factors that can enhance the developmental outcomes of autistic children? What are the factors that can mediate the risk factors of disadvantaged autistic children? What are factors that can foster autonomy and meaningful occupational engagement among autistic children and youth? How to create culturally attuned sensory and occupation-based assessment tools for different age groups?
Tony’s favorite occupation: he enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and playing tennis and badminton.
Megan Kim
Research Student Worker
Megan is currently a student in the Entry-Level OTD Program at USC and previously received her Bachelor of Science in Psychological and Brain Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her experience at UCSB’s Koegel Autism Center provided her with a background in early intervention and neurodiversity-affirming practice, solidifying her interest in working with individuals with autism. She is excited to explore the relationship between infants and caregivers through a child development lens. Megan’s research interests align with the insp!re lab, as she is passionate about sensory regulation and social communication in pediatric settings.
Clarissa Setiomiguno
Level IIB — Capstone Student
Clarissa Setiomiguno earned a BS in Nutritional Science and Dietetics from the University of California, Berkeley and is currently advancing her studies as an Occupational Therapy Doctorate student at USC Chan. She has extensive experience in nutritional care as well as early and primary education, supporting children with various physical, socioemotional, and intellectual abilities. Living with sensory challenges of her own, Clarissa is thrilled to be working in the insp!re lab, expanding the understanding of how sensory differences develop and impact various populations. Beyond her professional interests, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, game nights, arts and crafts, and spending time with her cats.
Jhennylyn Rivera-Villano, MOT, OTR/L
Post-Professional OTD Resident
Jhenny (she/her/hers) is a licensed occupational therapist. She earned her Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Los Angeles City College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science from California State University Northridge. In 2021, she obtained her Master of Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University and became a NBCOT registered and CBOT licensed OT practitioner. Jhenny has extensive experience in pediatric occupational therapy, working across a variety of settings including school-based, outpatient clinic, and in-home early intervention. Currently, Jhenny is pursuing a Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD), where her residency with a synergy between pedagogy and clinical research at the insp!re Lab. This opportunity allows her to integrate her clinical expertise with educational methodologies to contribute to the advancement of occupational therapy practice and research. In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Jhenny is deeply involved in the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). She previously served as the membership committee chair and is now regional director-elect for the Los Angeles area, Region 2. Jhenny’s favorite occupations: playing sports such as volleyball, badminton, and tennis, as well as playing the piano, guitar, or drums. Her other leisure activities include traveling, exploring national parks and local restaurants, cooking, baking, and crafting.
April Flores
Student Worker
April is currently a student in the Entry-Level OTD program at USC and previously received her Bachelor’s of Science in General Biology from the University of California, San Diego. While studying there, she worked on several research projects involving neurodegeneration in Huntington’s disease within Albert La Spada’s lab at Sanford Consortium. She has spent many summers enjoying her time volunteering for the Muscular Dystrophy Association as a camp counselor and unit leader. Here, April discovered her passion for working with children with disabilities, including MD and ASD. She was drawn to the insp!re lab due to her interests in Sensory Integration and early development.
April’s favorite occupations: Home DIY projects, watching TV and movies, tennis, painting, reading, rollerblading, and playing softball and board games with her family.
