About Me

I grew up in Toledo, Ohio. One summer in high school, I signed up to volunteer as a camp counselor at the Ability Center of Greater Toledo. My campers were children with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, autism, and other neurodevelopmental differences. Together we explored arts and crafts, making music, playing sports, and getting to know each others’ personalities. My co-counselor was a young man with cerebral palsy who had the most incredible sense of humor. What I remember most from that summer is the joy and laughter. That was over 30 years ago, but I think of the camp often, especially now when I walk around a Cortica center and see children exploring, playing, and singing in our therapy gym. I wish I could show the children from that summer camp back in Toledo what they inspired! 

Eight years ago I started a clinic in San Diego, California, to serve neurodiverse children. That clinic has grown into Cortica. My goal has been to take everything I’ve learned--as a pediatric neurologist, behavior analyst, neuroscience researcher, and mother—to create the best comprehensive, whole-child therapy program for autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. The Cortica team works hard to deliver the most cutting-edge, compassionate care to children and families across the country, and I’m so proud of the work that they do.  

Before starting Cortica, I spent time studying and working at different medical centers and universities. I went to college and medical school at Harvard and spent time as a graduate student at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. I did my pediatric neurology training at the University of California, San Francisco and then served on the faculty of Columbia University where I was Co-Director of their multi-disciplinary autism clinic. As a researcher, I’ve studied the biological causes of autism and used brain imaging to identify patterns of neural circuitry and brain chemistry in autism. My research articles have been published in neuroscience journals, including Neurology, Annals of Neurology, Pediatric Neurology, & Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. I love writing for—and speaking to—both professional audiences and parents.

I live in San Diego, California, with my husband and our two children. When I’m not in the clinic, I love spending time hiking or taking yoga classes.