Meet the People Behind MAAPS
The developers and leaders of MAAPS are passionate about education and promoting the success of each student. Collectively, we have over 30 years of experience working with educators, parents, and students to find ways to make education work for everyone
Principal Investigators
Cynthia Anderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Dr. Cynthia Anderson is a clinical child psychologist whose research and clinical interests focus on developing interventions that are effective, feasible, and well-liked by stakeholders. She is the Principal Investigator of the MAAPS research project and site PI for the May Institute.
Lynne Levato, Ph.D.,
BCBA-D
Dr. Levato is a licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her clinical interests include: assessing children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, consultation with school staff, family and parent training, behavioral intervention strategies, and literacy development and improvement. She supervises the independent evaluators, oversees assessments for the MAAPS project, and serves as the site PI for the University of Rochester.
Rose Iovannone, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Dr. Rose Iovannnone is a Research Associate Professor with the University of South Florida and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She provides collaborative consultation and support to educators, parents, and children/youth. She is the site PI for the University of South Florida
Coaches
Elizabeth Cassell
Lizzy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the University of South Florida. She works with research participants and supports school teams through an interdisciplinary center offering behavior support services to students with complex behaviors. Lizzy serves as a coach at the University of South Florida site on the MAAPS research project.
Karie DePaolo, Ph.D.
Dr. DePaolo is a postdoctoral research fellow at the May Institute, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her clinical interests include assessment and treatment of challenging behavior, and caregiver training. Dr. DePaolo has experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder of all ages.
Krystal Fontechia
Krystal Fontechia is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who provides collaborative consultation and support to educators, parents, and students. She is the site coordinator of the MAAPS research project for the University of South Florida, as well as a MAAPS coach. Krystal also provides support for school teams and families through an interdisciplinary center offering behavior support services for students who have complex behavior, developmental, and social/emotional challenges.
Bria Ferera
Bria is a first-year graduate student in USF’s School Psychology Program. She has a child psychology background with clinical experience in behavioral centers. Her research interests include assessment, as well as barriers affecting proper diagnosis for children on the spectrum. Bria works as a MAAPS coach at the University of South Florida Site.
Christine Hoffkins, M.Ed., BCBA
Christine is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and works with research teams and participants, both in-person and through virtual platforms. Previously, she worked in public school settings for 13 years in various roles. Christine serves as a coach at the University of Rochester site.
Allyson Jordan, Ph.D.
Ally’s clinical interests include the assessment and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental disabilities. Her treatment approaches include direct behaviorally-based interventions and facilitating caregiver-mediated interventions to address challenging behaviors and promote social interaction, social communication, and play skills in young children with ASD. Ally serves as a coach at the University of Rochester site.
Emma Beach, MS
Emma earned her master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and Human Development. Her background includes working with individuals with various disabilities and needs in both educational and clinical settings. She is interested in assessment and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder who display complex/challenging behaviors and children with social/emotional difficulties. Emma serves as a coach at the University of Rochester site.
Ray Youngblood, BA
Ray is a first-year graduate student studying School Psychology at the University of South Florida. He has experience delivering academic and behavioral interventions for diverse populations of students with autism across different ages (K-12) and school settings. Ray serves as a MAAPS coach at the University of South Florida site.
Sydney Holmes, LPA, BCBA
Sydney is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Psychological Associate. She has experience working with autism and other developmental disabilities. Sydney works as a coach for the May Institute site and also serves as project coordinator for MAAPS.