Co-facilitators
Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi
Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi
Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi
Dr. Cirincione-Ulezi has served as a special educator, clinician, educational administrator and professor of special education. Her clinical experience spans infancy through adulthood. Currently, she is a Faculty Director for the ABA and Clinical Psychology Programs at Capella University. She is CEO and founder of ULEZI, LLC and co-found
Dr. Cirincione-Ulezi has served as a special educator, clinician, educational administrator and professor of special education. Her clinical experience spans infancy through adulthood. Currently, she is a Faculty Director for the ABA and Clinical Psychology Programs at Capella University. She is CEO and founder of ULEZI, LLC and co-founder of Inquiry, Inc. In addition to serving as President for the Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis, she is an Affiliate Chapters Board Member for Applied Behavior Analysis International and serves as a subject matter expert for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. She is on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Behavior and Social Issues and has published in the journal Behavior Analysis in Practice.
Her research interests include supervision, mentoring, leadership and culturally humble practice within the field of ABA. She is a champion for equity, diversity and inclusion and is deeply committed to using her skills and experiences, paired with the science of applied behavior analysis, to empower the lives of the people she supports and serves, in positive and meaningful ways.
Dr. Cirincione-Ulezi holds a Doctorate degree in Education from Loyola University of Chicago. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. She is a graduate of the Irving B. Harris Infant Mental Health Specialist program at Erikson Institute of Chicago. She is an Illinois licensed special education teacher and an Illinois Early Intervention provider and State evaluator.
Dr. Noor Syed
Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi
Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi
Dr. Noor Syed (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis, Clinical Coordinator, and founding Director of the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Services (CAARES) with SUNY Empire State College. She has also recently been named the Turben Director of Autism Advocacy. The Center’s primary initiative
Dr. Noor Syed (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis, Clinical Coordinator, and founding Director of the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Services (CAARES) with SUNY Empire State College. She has also recently been named the Turben Director of Autism Advocacy. The Center’s primary initiative is to help SUNY Empire become a fully inclusive and supportive college for those who identify as neurodiverse through a multi-tiered system of support framework; this work is being conducted alongside autistic colleagues and caregivers in autism. Dr. Syed also directs a Master’s of Science program in ABA through SUNY Empire. She is the Executive Director of Anderson Center International, an organization dedicated to building compassionate, sustainable resources for evidenced-based practices globally, an Adjunct Doctoral Advisor in ABA with Endicott College, and a certified general and special education teacher. Dr. Syed is the co-editor of Research Ethics in Behavior Analysis and serves on the ABA Ethics Hotline. Her interests lie in compassionate care, cultural humility, and social justice through an analysis of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She received her undergraduate degree in behavior analysis under Dr. Raymond G. Romanczyk in the Institute of Child Development at Binghamton University and completed her PhD in ABA with Dr. R. Douglas Greer at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Dr. Christen Russell
Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi
Dr. Christen Russell
Dr. Christen Russell (she/her/they) is the founder and Executive Director of Affecting Behavior Change (ABC). She founded ABC from her passion and commitment to education, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, ethical behavior and decision-making, and behavior analysis. Through continual personal and professional growth, Christen’s
Dr. Christen Russell (she/her/they) is the founder and Executive Director of Affecting Behavior Change (ABC). She founded ABC from her passion and commitment to education, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, ethical behavior and decision-making, and behavior analysis. Through continual personal and professional growth, Christen’s mission is to help systematically fill the gaps in areas of continuing education, professional development, and research. In addition to direct service in educational and organizational settings, Christen has been actively involved in the field of behavior analysis through academic instruction, training and supervision of staff, as well as the design and dissemination of applied research. Christen holds adjunct faculty positions teaching masters and doctoral level students at Endicott College and Capella University and is an expert ethicist on the ABA Ethics Hotline. Christen received her PhD. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College, an M.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Behavior Analysis from Kaplan University, and a B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University. Christen received the Exceptional Contribution to DEI Initiatives award from Endicott College’s Institute for Applied Behavioral Science. Her research interests include Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB), Functional Assessments in Organizational Behavior Management, Performance Improvement, Best Practices in Teaching Behavior Analysis (TBA), Systems Analyses, and Instructional Design. Christen has published her work in several book chapters and peer-reviewed journals and presents at regional, national, and international conferences.
Lab Members
Gabrielle Torres, MS, BCBA, IBA
Natalie Driscoll, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA
Natalie Driscoll, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA
Lab Manager
Gabrielle Torres is originally from the island of Curacao and currently lives in the US. She has been in the field of behavior analysis for twenty years, first in the clinical world including as a clinic owner, and more recently in the training and development space. She is the founder of Find Your Balance LLC an organization t
Lab Manager
Gabrielle Torres is originally from the island of Curacao and currently lives in the US. She has been in the field of behavior analysis for twenty years, first in the clinical world including as a clinic owner, and more recently in the training and development space. She is the founder of Find Your Balance LLC an organization that provides supervision, mentoring and consulting to professionals and organizations in the field of behavior analysis in the US and abroad. Gabi is particularly focused on increased equity and access to professional development opportunities for people in the Caribbean and other countries where access to behavior analysis has been limited. Gabi is dedicated to giving back to her professional community through volunteering on boards. She is the DEI Coordinator for DCABA and the President-Elect for the Caribbean Association for Behavior Analysis. Gabi holds a masters in human health and behavior with a specialization in behavior analysis from Teachers College Columbia and a masters in mental health counseling from NOVA Southeastern. She is currently a doctoral student and assistant instructor at Capella University. Her research interests include mentoring, supervision, leadership development, performance management, cultural responsiveness, ACT and equity and access.
Natalie Driscoll, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA
Natalie Driscoll, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA
Natalie Driscoll, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA
Dr Natalie Driscoll is currently affiliated with Seven Hills NeuroCare where she provides support to adults with acquired brain injuries and complex mental health presentations. She is an adjunct professor at Endicott College and SUNY Empire. She received her PhD in ABA and her M.Ed. in special education and ABA at Endicott College. She i
Dr Natalie Driscoll is currently affiliated with Seven Hills NeuroCare where she provides support to adults with acquired brain injuries and complex mental health presentations. She is an adjunct professor at Endicott College and SUNY Empire. She received her PhD in ABA and her M.Ed. in special education and ABA at Endicott College. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in Massachusetts. Her expertise includes person centered goal development and safety skill instruction. She and has experience with multiple populations and age ranges within the field of behavior analysis. Her research interests include the instruction and assessment of safety skills, risk assessment, social validity, and accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and equity.
dr. danyelle s. goitia beal, Psy.D., BCBA
dr. danyelle s. goitia beal, Psy.D., BCBA
dr. danyelle s. goitia beal, Psy.D., BCBA
dr. danyelle s. goitia beal earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her dissertation; Trauma and Resiliency in Black American Women began a journey of breaking the stigma of traumatic events that plague the Black community. She earned her Masters in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Stu
dr. danyelle s. goitia beal earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her dissertation; Trauma and Resiliency in Black American Women began a journey of breaking the stigma of traumatic events that plague the Black community. She earned her Masters in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Studies with an emphasis in ABA from National University and her Bachelors in Child Development. dr. beal contributed to an anthology titled Shenomenal Women that became a #1 Best Seller. Simultaneously, she completed her pre and post doctoral internship supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse and within the LGBTQIA2+ communities.
As a trauma survivor, dr. beal has overcome insurmountable odds that has formed her journey through healing which she calls “heart work”. She understands that to truly begin to live a life of intention; one must get to the “heart work” of their own healing journey. This incorporates every aspect of a person's environment and her approach to healing is comprehensive and multi-faceted. dr. beal owns and operates a Non-Public Agency called Loving Hands Family Support Services in California. dr. beal is highly regarded Psychologist/Behavior Analyst who specializes in developmental disorders and trauma and is considered a servant leader that supports children, families and women who are underrepresented.
Rachael Atherley, MS, BCBA (they/she)
dr. danyelle s. goitia beal, Psy.D., BCBA
dr. danyelle s. goitia beal, Psy.D., BCBA
Rachael is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with a B.A. in Psychology from Lehman College and a M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Drexel University. Rachael is a Lead Behavior Analyst currently working with individuals on the autism spectrum at a prominent child welfare agency in New York City.
Rachael is committed to the field of b
Rachael is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with a B.A. in Psychology from Lehman College and a M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Drexel University. Rachael is a Lead Behavior Analyst currently working with individuals on the autism spectrum at a prominent child welfare agency in New York City.
Rachael is committed to the field of behavior analysis as a practitioner and educator as they have also been an Adjunct Lecturer at the State University of New York New Paltz campus. Rachael has been in the field since 2017 and began their career in ABA as a Registered Behavior Technician after finding a
passion for working with neurodiverse individuals. In their work, they attempt to dismantle systems of oppression that keep many of the children that they work with from receiving the treatment that is needed.
They also work from an intersectional and anti-racist framework. They encourage others to understand that race, gender, disability, and any other identities impact each person differently and need to be considered before assessment and treatment. Rachael is currently a PhD student at the Graduate Center in
New York City in their Sociology program. Through this, they hope to explore societal systems and structures via a behavior analytic lens. Rachael is a member of NYSABA and serves as the chairperson of NYSABA’s DEIA committee.