Who We Are

Charis Lauren Wahman is an assistant professor of special education and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D). She is also affiliated faculty in School Psychology and Clinical Director of The PACES Project. Her research primarily focuses on training early childhood teachers on evidence-based practices within the framework of Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) to stop suspension and expulsion of preschool children and family-centered practices.

Graduate Students

Ashley Le is a second-year graduate student in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at Michigan State University. In May of 2023, she graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S in Psychology and a minor in Youth and Society. She is most interested in the intricate world of neurodevelopment and child developmental psychology. After she graduates, she plans to work in a school or clinical setting with young children who have developmental disabilities.

Pankti Sandesara is a first-year graduate student in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at Michigan State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology from Jai Hind College, India, graduating in April 2024. Pankti is passionate about understanding and applying behavioral science to improve individual and community well-being with a particular focus on families of children with autism.

Aaliyah Mayes is a first-year graduate student in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at Michigan State University and a Project FOCCUS3 scholar. In May of 2023, she graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S in Psychology. She chose the field of ABA because she is passionate about understanding human behavior and using evidence-based strategies to create meaningful change in people’s lives. She is particularly interested in exploring how compassionate practices can improve the quality of autism services.

Lab Alumni

Sylvia Piskorowski, M.A., BCBA (2023)
Jordan Carlson, M.A., BCBA (2023)
Mallory Haynie, M.A., BCBA (2024)