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 is also Clinical Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics and Assistant Chairman of Community Outreach and Engagement in the Department of Psychology. He has worked with individuals with autism and their families for over 30 years. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Rochester, and obtained his MS and Ph.D. in Psychology from Rutgers University. 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
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.
Anibal Gutierrez, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Associate Director
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
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).
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.
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.
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 death 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
Carole Abbott, Ph.D., NCSP, Volunteer Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College
Cecilia Alvarez-Tabio, M.S., BCBA, Manager Behavioral 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
Alexis Bitting, M.S.Ed., Case Manager, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs M.S.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling, University of Miami
Christy Carbonell, M.S., BCBA, Behavioral Consultant
M.S. in TESOL, Carlos Albizu University
Sandra Cardona, Psy.D, Staff Psychologist Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University
Deborah Chin, M.A., Manager, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs M.A. in Liberal Studies, University of Miami
Sara Dajer, M.S in Education., Manager, Educational and Family Support Services M.S. in Education, Carlos Albizu University
Ivan Deveaux, B.A., Case Manager-Educational and Family Support Services B.A. in Psychology, University of South Florida
Lynette Estrada, Ed.D., Case Manager, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Walden University
Sara Ferguson, B.S., Clinical Support Administrator – NSU Satellite B.S. in Psychology, Florida State University
Stephanie Garcia-Delgado, M.S., Case Manager, Educational and Family Support Services
M.S. in Counseling, Nova Southeastern University
Silvia Gil, M.S. in Special Education, Case Manager-Educational and Family Support Services 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
Meaghan Parlade, Ph.D., Intervention Services Coordinator
Ph.D. in Clinical & Developmental Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
Nathalie Roman, B.A., Case Manager, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs B.A. in Psychology, Florida International University
Lori Wise, M.S., Coordinator of Clinical & Educational Services – NSU Satellite M.S. in Reading, Florida International University
our special events team
Michelle Costa, M.S.Ed., Manager, Community Engagement and Special Events M.S. in Education, University of Miami & B.S. in Special Education, Nova Southeastern University
Joseph Lillard, Mobile Clinic Driver
our administrative team
Carolina Carrion, Undergraduate Assistant – NSU Satellite
Maria Lis De Gasperi, B.A., Office Manager
B.A. in International Relations, Boston University
Allison Escobar, B.S., Graduate Assistant - NSU Satellite B.S. in Speech Pathology, Nova Southeastern University
Nicolas Fisher, Office Assistant – NSU Satellite
Michael Gavila, File Clerk
Maria Mora, Financial Administrator
Freddy Norori, M.A., Receptionist
M.A. in Liberal Studies, University of Miami
Brittany Rhea, Undergraduate Assistant – NSU Satellite
Kent Schomber, Senior Mail Clerk
Daniel Suarez, Assistant to the Executive Director
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
