Contact us at 1.800.9.AUTISM
our directors

Michael Alessandri, Ph.D., Executive Director
Dr. Michael Alessandri is the Executive Director of the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD). Dr. Alessandri has worked with individuals with autism and their families since 1981 in various capacities. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Rochester and obtained his MS and Ph.D. in Psychology from Rutgers University. Dr. Alessandri is also Clinical Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics and serves as the Department of Psychology’s Assistant Chairman for Community Outreach and Engagement.
Dr. Alessandri has received numerous community service awards, including the Autism Society of America’s Wendy F. Miller Autism Professional of the Year Award and National Autism Program of the Year for UM-NSU CARD. He is also the recipient of the March of Dimes Community Excellence in Health Care Award (2007), the Health Services Coalition Outstanding Community Leader Award (2009), and the Parent to Parent Excellence in Family Advocacy Award (2010). Dr. Alessandri was also named one of the Ronald McDonald House's 12 Good Men (2008) and the Dewar's 12 Man of Distinction (2007). In 2012, he was selected by the Children's Trust as the David Lawrence Champion for Children, one of South Florida’s highest honors for community service. In 2016, Dr. Alessandri was named the Visionary Leader of the Year by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce; and in 2017, he was recognized by the Dade County Bar Association with the Fostering Inclusion and Diversity Award. For more information about Dr. Alessandri please click here.

Jennifer Durocher, Ph.D., Director
Dr. Jennifer Durocher is the Director of CARD and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami. She has worked with individuals with autism and their families for over 20 years. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Rutgers University, where she earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Miami, where she obtained both her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Diane Adreon, Ed.D., Associate Director - The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs
Dr. Diane Adreon is an Associate Director of CARD. Dr. Adreon has worked with individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families for 30 years. She received her doctorate in Special Education from Nova Southeastern University and her Master of Arts degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she majored in special education and applied behavior analysis.

Luis Grana, M.S., Director - NSU Satellite
Mr. Luis Grana is the Director of the NSU Satellite Office. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and his M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. He has worked with individuals with ASD and their families for over 20 years in various capacities.

Anibal Gutierrez, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Associate Director - Behavioral Services & Research and Innovation
Dr. Anibal Gutierrez is an Associate Director of CARD and Research Associate Professor at the University of Miami. He is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with experience in the assessment and treatment of problem behavior and in the development of adaptive skills for individuals with autism. He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Dr. Gutierrez’s current research interests focus on early intervention, variables related to treatment effectiveness for individuals with autism, and the use of technology to bring about behavior change.

Melissa Hale, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Associate Director - Educational and Family Support Programs & Psychological Services
Dr. Melissa Hale is an Associate Director of CARD and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami. Dr. Hale received a Ph.D. in School Psychology, from the University of Florida, in 2002, where she specialized in autism spectrum disorders and applied behavior analysis. She is also a licensed psychologist in Florida and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D).

Yanerys Leon, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Assistant Director - Behavioral Services & Research and Innovation
Dr. Yanerys Leon is an Assistant Director of CARD and Research Assistant Professor at the University of Miami. Dr. Leon began working with individuals with autism during her time as an undergraduate student at the University of Florida. She went on to get her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, while working at the Neurobehavioral Unit at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She earned her PhD in Behavior Analysis from Florida Tech in 2012. Dr. Leon’s current research interests include assessment and treatment of severe behavior disorders, advances in reinforcer assessment, and establishment of reinforcers in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Carole Zangari, Ph.D., Executive Director - NSU Satellite
Dr. Carole Zangari serves as Executive Director of the NSU Satellite. She is a professor of speech-language pathology (SLP) at Nova Southeastern University. In addition to autism and other developmental disabilities, her areas of interest include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), assistive technology, and literacy. Dr. Zangari studied SLP at the University of Pittsburgh and the College of New Jersey. She earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from Purdue University.

Roberto Tuchman, M.D., Consulting Medical Director
Dr. Roberto Tuchman is the Consulting Medical Director for UM-NSU CARD. He is also the Director of Neurology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Miami Children’s Health System. Dr. Tuchman is a child neurologist who has worked in South Florida for more than 25 years. His clinical work and research has been dedicated to helping families with autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, and other developmental disorders. Dr. Tuchman received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency in Pediatrics at Boston City Hospital, and his residency in Neurology and fellowship in Child Neurology at Albert Einstein and Montefiore Medical Center in New York.

In Memoriam Robin Parker, SLP.D., CCC
Dr. Robin Parker served as the Project Director of CARD at Nova Southeastern University from 2001 until her passing in July of 2014. Dr. Parker was a Program Professor and Clinical Supervisor in the Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders at NSU. She received her Bachelors and Master's degrees from Florida State University and earned her doctorate in Communication Disorders from NSU. She was and will always be a beloved member of our team and a treasure to the South Florida autism community.
our clinical team

Cecilia Alvarez-Tabio, M.S., BCBA, Manager Autism Intervention Services M.S. in Psychology, California Southern University

Amy Beaumont, Psy.D., BCaBA, Director, Social Services – ASAC
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Nova Southeastern University

Alexandra Cacciamani, B.S. Ed. Case Manager- Educational and Family Support Services B.S. in Early Childhood Education, Florida International University

Sara Dajer, M.S.Ed., Manager, Educational and Family Support Services M.S. in Education, Carlos Albizu University

Ivan Deveaux, M.S., Case Manager | Research & Behavioral Services Master of Science from the University of Miami Degree: Psychology Concentration: Applied Behavior Analysis

Blanca Diaz, M.A., BCaBA Case Manager The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs

Jennifer Feinstein, MSW, Case Manager, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs Master of Social Work

Stephanie Garcia-Delgado, M.S., Case Manager, Educational and Family Support Services
M.S. in Counseling, Nova Southeastern University

Silvia Gil, M.S.Ed.,, Manager, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs M.S. in Special Education, Florida International University

Susan Lepri, M.S., Clinical Support Administrator – NSU Satellite M.S. in Developmental Disabilities from Nova Southeastern University

Jacquelyn Moultrie-Sequeira, B.A., Clinical Support Administrator – NSU Satellite B.A. in Psychology, Florida International University

Meaghan Parlade, Ph.D., Intervention Services Coordinator
Ph.D. in Clinical & Developmental Psychology, University of Pittsburgh

Christina Rodriguez, M.S.Ed. in Special Education, Case Manager-Educational and Family Support Services Masters in Special Education, Florida International University

Nathalie Roman, B.A., Case Manager, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs B.A. in Psychology, Florida International University

Catalina Uribe, B.S., Clinical Support Administrator - NSU Satellite Office B.S. in Criminal Justice, Florida State University

Shantigra "Shae" Williams, B.S, Clinical Support Administrator - NSU Satellite

Lori Wise, M.S., Coordinator of Clinical & Educational Services – NSU Satellite M.S. in Reading, Florida International University
Our Research Team

Dahriana Correa, M.S., Research Coordinator Autism Centers of Excellence ACTION Network (NICHD) UM-NSU CARD B.A., Psychology, Queens College

Giancarla David, M.S., Family Navigator, Autism Centers of Excellence ACTION Network (NICHD) Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) UM-NSU CARD - M.S., Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in autism

Nickelle Decius, M.S., Family Navigator, Autism Centers of Excellence ACTION Network (NICHD) Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) UM-NSU CARD B.A. in Psychology, University of Miami

Lynette Herbert, B.A., Research Associate, Department of Psychology Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) UM-NSU CARD B.A. in Psychology, Florida International University
our special events team

Andrea Arostegui, Special Events Planner UM-NSU CARD Special Events Planner

Michelle Costa, M.S.Ed. in Special Education, Manager, Community Engagement and Special Events M.S. in Special Education, University of Miami.

Joseph Lillard, Mobile Clinic Driver

Vivian Perez, Desktop Publisher
our administrative team

David Bennett, Office Assistant-Miami Lakes

Carolina Carrion, Undergraduate Assistant – NSU Satellite

Nataly Coronel, Receptionist

Maria Lis De Gasperi, B.A., Sr. Administrative Assistant B.A. in International Relations, Boston University

Alec Delgado, Financial Assistant

Nicolas Fisher, Office Assistant – NSU Satellite

Michael Gavila, File Clerk

Maria Mora, Financial Administrator

Sofia Munoz, Receptionist - ASAC (Autism Spectrum Assessment Clinic)

Carmen Ortega, B.A., Secretary B.A. in Psychology, University of Miami

Miguel Rios, Assistant to the Directors

Kent Schomber, Senior Mail Clerk

Thomas Whitehurst, Office Assistant
Michael Alessandri , Ph.D., Executive Director Dr. Michael Alessandri is the Executive Director of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD). He is also Director of the Division of Community Outreach and Engagement and Clinical Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics at the University of Miami. Dr. Alessandri has worked with individuals with autism and their families for more than 30 years. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Rochester, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology. He attended graduate school at Rutgers University, where he obtained both his M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Jennifer Durocher, Ph.D. , Interim Clinical Director Dr. Jennifer Durocher is the Interim Clinical Director of CARD and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami. She has worked with individuals with autism and their families for over 20 years. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Rutgers University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Miami, where she obtained both her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Diane Adreon , Ed.D., Associate Director Dr. Diane Adreon is the Associate Director of CARD. Dr. Adreon has worked with individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families for 30 years. She received her doctorate in Special Education from Nova Southeastern University and her Master of Arts degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, where she majored in special education and applied behavior analysis. Robin Parker, SLP.D., CCC , Senior Director – NSU Satellite Dr. Robin Parker is the Senior Director of CARD at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Parker is a Program Professor and Clinical Supervisor in the Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders at NSU. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Florida State University and earned her doctorate in Communication Disorders from NSU. Luis Grana , M.S., Director of Administration & Support - NSU Satellite M.S. in Mental Health Counseling, Nova Southeastern University & B.A. in Psychology, University of Central Florida Marlene Sotelo , Ed.D., BCBA-D, MT-BC Director of Education and Training - NSU Satellite Ed.D. in Special Education, Nova Southeastern University Carole Abbott , Ph.D., NCSP Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College Cecilia Alvarez-Tabio, B.A., BCaBA , Program Coordinator B.A. in Psychology, The Catholic University of America Amy Beaumont, Psy.D., BCaBA , Assessment Services Coordinator – ASAC Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Nova Southeastern University Alexis Bitting, B.S. , Transition Specialist B.S. in Psychology, University of Miami Deborah Chin, B.A. , Coordinator of Adult and Transition Services B.A. in Psychology, Florida State University Sara Dajer, M.S.Ed. , Educational Support Specialist M.S. in Education, Carlos Albizu University & B.S. in Elementary Education, The Catholic University of Santo Domingo Lynette Estrada, Ed.D. , Transition Specialist Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Walden University Sara Ferguson, B.S. , Educational Support Specialist B.S. in Psychology, Florida State University Melissa Hale , Ph.D., BCBA-D – Coordinator of Psychological Services Ph.D. in School Psychology, University of Florida Meaghan Parlade, Ph.D. , Coordinator of Research & Training Ph.D. in Clinical & Developmental Psychology, University of Pittsburgh Maricarmen Saleta, B.A. , Educational Support Specialist B.A. in Psychology, Technical Institute of Santo Domingo Mallory Schneider, M.S.Ed. , Clinical Support Administrator – NSU Satellite M.S. in Education, University of Miami & B.S. in Psychology, Florida State University Lori Wise, M.S. , Coordinator of Clinical & Educational Services – NSU Satellite M.S. in Reading & B.S. in Special Education, Florida International University Michelle Costa, M.S.Ed. , Manager of Special Events M.S. in Education, University of Miami & B.S. in Special Education, Nova Southeastern University Bijan Boustani, B.A. , Website Manager B.A. in Computer Science, University of Miami Lezonne Codner, B.S. , Office Assistant - NSU Satellite B.S. in Psychology, Nova Southeastern University Maria Lis De Gasperi, B.A. , Office Manager B.A. in International Relations, Boston University Michael Gavila , File Clerk Tony Gonzalez Maria Mora , Financial Administrator Freddy Norori, B.S. , Receptionist B.S. in Communications, University of Miami Kent Schomber , Senior Mail Clerk Daniel Suarez , Assistant to the Directors