Carissa Cascio, Ph.D.
Director 
My graduate training was in neuroscience at Emory University. My work was centered on sensory neuroscience applied to human and nonhuman primates, with an emphasis on tactile perception and functional imaging. Having developed an interest in the neuroscience of autism, I pursued postdoctoral studies at the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Research Center at the University of North Carolina. There I focused dually on somatosensory processing in individuals with autism, and diffusion tensor imaging in young children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
In 2007, I joined the Psychiatric Neuroimaging Program in Vanderbilt’s Department of Psychiatry. I hold a secondary appointment in the Department of Psychology and Human Development, and am affiliated with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Center for Integrative and Cognitive Neuroscience, and Vanderbilt Vision Research Center. My lab focuses on the neural basis of sensory and repetitive behaviors in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Current Lab Members
Kim Schauder  Kim recently graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience and behavioral biology and a B.A. in Psychology from Emory University. As an undergraduate, she conducted research with nonhuman primates and helped develop a new paradigm to better understand the biological basis of PTSD. Throughout college, she developed a strong interest in autism, specifically the early biological and behavioral markers of the disorder. In the future, she hopes to attend graduate school in clinical or developmental psychology and continue working in the autism field. Jen Foss-Feig
| Jen Pryweller Graduate Student Affiliate  Jennifer is a Ph.D. Candidate focused on neuroimaging research to elucidate brain-behavior relationships in atypical sensory processing. Her research combines behavioral assessment with functional and structural neuroimaging techniques, which explore brain connectivity in autism, Williams syndrome and typical development. Jennifer’s work also involves the development of novel image processing and data analysis techniques. She is passionate about science education and plans to pursue a faculty research position in a university setting. |
| Jen is a
sixth-year graduate student in clinical psychology who is an adopted
member of the lab. She is interested in sensory processing in autism
spectrum disorders, and fancies herself a neuroscience student so that
she can justify using neuroimaging methods in her research. In 2009,
Jen received an Autism Speaks Dennis Weatherstone Predoctoral Fellowship
to complete her dissertation project, which uses EEG to explore the
neural mechanisms associated with altered auditory temporal processing
and an extended multisensory temporal binding window in children with
ASD. In her spare time, Jen likes to hang out in the lab (yep, she’s
just that cool), try to get involved in yet another research project,
and come up with (self-proclaimed) brilliant ways to troubleshoot things
that aren’t problems and don’t need fixing . Also, she has one
seriously cute dog. Matt Hoscheit | Celina Jacobi Undergraduate Student |
| Matthew is in his senior year at Vanderbilt University studying the neurosciences and corporate strategy. He has lived in Chicago, Illinois, all of his life. His research involves examining amygdala volume in children with autism spectrum disorders to learn more about how abnormal brain development can impact behavior. Matthew hopes to earn his Medical Degree to practice as a physician as well as a Masters in Business Administration to become involved in healthcare administration. Abbie Necessary | Celina Jacobi is a senior at Vanderbilt majoring in Neuroscience and English, and she plans to attend medical school next year. Currently, she is conducting research on tactile sensory processing in children with ASD, using electroencephalography to look at the brain's response to pleasant stroking of the arm. Nemi Shah Undergraduate Student  Nemi Shah is a senior in
the school of Arts & Sciences. She is majoring in Neuroscience and
minoring in Spanish and Music. For her Honors thesis project, she has
chosen to investigate idiom comprehension in autistic individuals. Nemi
hopes to attend medical school after graduation and further pursue her
study of neurological disorders. |
Hollie Black, Undergraduate Student
Pooja Gaur, Rotation Student
Lab Alumni:
Jessica Heacock, Research Assistant
Current position: Graduate student in Special Education, Ohio State University
Scott Bolton, Medical Student (Emphasis Program)
Current position: Resident in Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Akua Cosby, Research Assistant
Current position: Graduate student in Counseling, Texas Woman's University
