Board of Directors
The Atlanta Autism Consortium Board of Directors is comprised of area leaders who volunteer their time and expertise to serve the community by furthering research, collaborations and conversations around autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Nadrat Nuhu, PhD, BCBA-D
Board of Directors Co-Chair
Dr. Nuhu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Autism and Related Disabilities, at the Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Her research focuses on the assessment and treatment of challenging behavior exhibited by children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. As a Psychologist, she serves as a clinician in the severe behavior department at the Marcus Autism Center, in Atlanta, where she provides behavior analytic services to children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Tyler Whitney, PsyD.
Board of Directors Co-Chair
Dr. Whitney has over 20+ years’ experience working clinically with children, adolescents and young adults and their families. His formal training includes post-doctoral training in pediatric neuropsychology, developmental psychology, and two years as a LEND fellow through the URLEND program, including the autism enhancement year (AE), and is a full member of INSAR (International Society of Autism Research). His unique training and experience in clinical psychology, developmental psychology, forensic psychology, and psychometrics, as well as decades of clinical experience, allow him to clearly communicate in writing and speech the basic science that will support forensic cases in the courts, in the media, and in community settings. Dr. Whitney has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2022.
Celine Saulnier, PhD.
Chair Emeritus
Celine Saulnier, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who specialized in the diagnostic evaluations of individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders from infancy through adulthood. She has worked at the Yale Child Study Center, Emory University School of Medicine, and the Marcus Autism Center, conducting research on early detection in ASD, as well as adaptive behavior profiles. In June 2018, she opened her company, Neurodevelopmental Assessment & Consulting Services, and she remains an Adjunct Associate Professor at Emory. Dr. Saulnier has written two books, Essentials of Autism Spectrum Disorders Evaluation and Assessment and Essentials of Adaptive Behavior Assessment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and is co-author of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition. Dr. Saulnier has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2011.
Joseph Cubells, MD, PhD.
Dr. Cubells is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Human Genetics, and of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, at the Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. His research focuses on identifying the molecular genetic factors that inform about developmental disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, and major depression. As a Psychiatrist and Clinician, he serves as the Director of Medical Services at the Emory Autism Center, in Atlanta, where he sees adults on the Autism Spectrum as well as adults with known genetic/chromosomal abnormalities requiring behavioral healthcare. Dr. Cubells has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2011.
Amanda Platner, PsyD, ABPP
Dr. Platner is the Director of Adult Behavioral Services at the Emory Autism Center and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Platner has been a member of the AAC’s Board of Directors since 2021.
Susan Brasher, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, FAAN
Dr. Susan Brasher is a tenure track Assistant Professor at Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She is a Pediatric Nurse and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, who received her PhD from the University of Florida in Nursing with an emphasis in neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically autism. She has worked closely with advocates, families, community members, clinicians, and researchers for over two decades to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes of autistic youth and young adults. Much of this work has been funded by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Her research is largely patient-centered as she builds equitable partnerships with key stakeholders to drive research that is responsive to their needs. Dr. Brasher has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2023.
Patrick Glynn
Patrick Glynn is a copywriter and content marketer at Insight Global, a staffing and professional services firm in Atlanta, Ga. Patrick worked as a behavior technician and trainer for five years before moving into an operations role and aiding in and running an ABA clinic in Decatur, GA. While in these roles, Patrick joined the AAC’s Young Professionals Committee, where he helped impact the Atlanta autism community outside of the clinic. Patrick has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2023.
Jilisa Shelley, Clinical Case Manager, Synergy Behavioral Services
Jilisa has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2023.
Dr. Kristina Gerencser, PHD, BCBA-D, Assistant Professor, Emory University Department of Pediatrics
Kristina has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2023.
Michael Morrier, PhD, BCBA-D
Michael J. Morrier, PhD, BCBA-D is the owner and founder of Morrier Consulting LLC, which specializes in providing training for individuals and families on embedding applied behavior analysis techniques into everyday activities, as well as training professionals on how to administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), 2nd edition for clinical and research projects. Previously, Dr. Morrier was an Associate Professor at the Emory Autism Center in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine (1992-2023). He received his bachelor’s degree in
psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; his master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Georgia; and his doctorate degree in Special Education from Georgia State University. Dr. Morrier has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2007. Dr. Morrier’s earlier experiences focused on expanding the ability of community-based practitioners to identify and diagnosis young children suspected of autism, validating telehealth platforms for diagnosis of young children, and providing social communication and interaction supports to young autistic children in inclusive settings.
Dr. Morrier previously participated on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism Surveillance project (ADDM Network) as an expert clinical reviewer from 1999 – 2020, and currently is a member of the editorial boards of the Journal for Autism and Development Disorders, the Journal of Special Education, and Infant and Child Development. Dr. Morrier was past President of the Georgia Division for Early Childhood subdivision from 2015-2021.
Dr. Morrier has been a member of the AAC’s Board of Directors since 2024.
Amy Richards, Intellectual Property Attorney, Ford Motor Company
Amy Richards has been a practicing attorney for over 25 years. She is married and has two adult children diagnosed with autism.
Ms. Richards has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2024.
Lisa Casteel, Vice President Data Center Operations, Primerica
Lisa Casteel is the parent of an adult daughter who was diagnosed with autism at 7 years old, and has been a passionate parent advocate since then.
Ms. Casteel has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2024.
Sean Hirt, PsyD
Dr. Sean Hirt is a licensed psychologist and the founder of Hirt Psychology. has an array of clinical experience in a variety of settings including private practice, residential treatment centers, non-public schools, and emergency shelters. He is particularly sought out for his expertise in treating and addressing anxiety, depression, poor self-esteem, behavioral issues, and autism spectrum disorder in children and adolescents.
Dr. Hirt has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2024.
Eren Niederhoffer
Eren Niederhoffer is an autistic self-advocate and professional writer. Eren has been a member of the AAC Board of Directors since 2024.
Advisory Board
The Atlanta Autism Consortium Board of Directors is proud to have a small group of former Board Members who continue to volunteer their time in support of the AAC as an Advisory Board. These individuals continue to add their experiences, expertise and voices to the work of the Consortium.
Gregory D. Abowd, Ph.D.
AAC Founder and Chair Emeritus
Dr. Abowd is the Dean of Engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, having most recently served as Regents’ and Distinguished Professor in the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has three teenagers including 2 boys on the Autism Spectrum. He also serves on other boards, including the Marcus Autism Center, Emory Autism Center and State of GA Autism Advisory Council. Dr. Abowd received the 2017 Autism Achievement Award at the annual Autism Conference & Expo of Georgia. This award also represents recognition of the value of the AAC by the Georgia Autism Community.
Dr. Abowd has been on the Atlanta Autism Consortium Board of Directors since 2011, and a member of the Advisory Board since 2022.
Frederick Marcus, PhD.
Dr. Marcus serves on a number of boards, including The Marcus Foundation, The Marcus Autism Center, Tapestry Public Charter School, and The Israel Democracy Institute.
Dr. Marcus has been part of the AAC Board since 2013, and a member of the Advisory Board since 2021.
Dan Crimmins, PhD.
Dr. Crimmins is the Director of the Center for Leadership in Disability & GaLEND Program, as well as a Clinical Professor in the School of Public Health at Georgia State University. He is also a part-time Adjunct Professor in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. He earned his Ph.D. from Binghamton University (SUNY), New York, in Clinical Psychology.
Throughout his career, Dr. Crimmins has worked to improve the capacity of organizations to provide evidence-based behavioral and educational interventions for children and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum. He is the author or co-author of over 70 peer-reviewed scientific articles and book chapters and presented his scientific findings at more than 200 national and international conferences. He has also been the program director, principal investigator or co-investigator for over 35 grants and contracts. He serves on several boards and councils in Georgia, such as the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (since 2008), the Community Advisory Board to the Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center (since 2010), the Community Advisory Council Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia UCEDD (since 2008), and the Statewide Advisory Committee on Children’s Health/Project LAUNCH Steering Committee in the Georgia Department of Public Health (since 2016).
Dr. Crimmins has been an AAC Board Member since 2017, and a member of the Advisory Board since 2023.
We invite you to learn more about our work in the community and get involved! Check out our events calendar, learn about membership, or join in the conversation on our active Facebook page.