*Spanish speaking

Michael Alessandri, Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Psychology, and Executive Director of UM/NSU CARD, and Co-Director of the Marino Autism Research Institute at the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Alessandri has worked with individuals with autism and their families for over 25 years. He serves as director of the UM Center for Autism and Related Disabilities which serves both children and adults of all levels of intellectual functioning who have autism, pervasive developmental disorders, autistic-like disabilities, dual sensory impairments, or sensory impairments with other disabling conditions. The Center’s primary focus is to provide individualized, direct assistance to these individuals and their families. Services include family support, technical assistance and consultation, parent and professional training programs, and public education activities. Under his direction, the University of Miami Center for Autism & Related Disabilities was named the National Autism Program of the Year in 1999 by the Autism Society of America.

Dr. Alessandri has presented, consulted and published internationally on developing appropriate and effective educational programs for students with autistic spectrum disorders. Dr. Alessandri is highly involved in community service. At present, he serves on the Professional Advisory Boards of the Victory School for Children with Autism in North Miami Beach and Friends for Youth, a California-based mentoring program for at-risk youth. Dr. Alessandri is also an active and long-time supporter of the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR). In addition to serving on NAAR’s Board of Trustees as Vice Chair of Scientific Affairs.

Office: (305) 284-6558
Email: malessandri@miami.edu

Marygrace Yale Kaiser, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor of Psychology at the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Yale Kaiser’s research examines early risk factors associated with developmental disabilities and special education placement and social and communicative development, involving the coordination of early infant behaviors. Dr. Yale Kaiser serves as the Principal Investigator on the University of Miami, CDC Autism & Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Project designed to identify the 8-year-old children in Miami-Dade County with autism and to examine the factors associated with the incidence and prevalence of this disorder.
Office: (305) 284-4943
Email: myale@miami.edu

Jennifer Stella Durocher, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Director, UM-NSU CARD at the College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Durocher has worked with individuals with autism and their families for just over 15 years. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Rutgers University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1992. She completed her doctoral studies in 2001 at the University of Miami, where she obtained both her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Durocher completed her clinical internship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, at the JFK Autism and Developmental Disorders Clinic in 2000-2001. While at the University of Colorado, she received extensive training in the diagnosis and evaluation of individuals with autistic spectrum and other developmental disorders who presented with co morbid emotional or psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Durocher has presented and published nationally and internationally on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of ASDs. She has also participated in numerous county and statewide task forces focusing on early screening and diagnosis of ASDs, and addressing the mental health needs of adults with ASDs. In addition to her role as Assistant Director of UM-NSU CARD, Dr. Durocher is actively involved in research on interventions for improving joint attention skills in young children with ASDs. She also serves as a liaison & consultant to autism-related research projects at the University of Miami, as well as other local universities, and is a consulting editor for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities.

Office: (305) 284-6557
Email: jstella@miami.edu

Daniel Messinger, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and co-Director of the Marino Autism Research Institute at the College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Messinger coordinates the Miami site of a Pediatrics-based study of the developmental sequel of prenatal cocaine exposure. His research interest is in the area of social and emotional development of children. He is particularly interested in real-time emotional interaction and its role in development. His current work involves infants at-risk for autism, children with autism, and the measurement of emotional dynamics. He is currently involved in studies of the emotional development of children prenatally exposed to cocaine.

Dr. Messinger is the author of more than 35 articles on these topics and is funded by the NIH, NSF, and Autism Speaks. He is fluent in Italian.

Office: (305) 284-8443
Email: dmessinger@miami.edu

*Anibal Gutierrez, Ph.D., BCBA, Coordinator of Behavioral Services, UM-NSU CARD at the College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Gutierrez earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2004 and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Dr. Gutierrez has over 10 years of experience working with individuals diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities as well as individuals with dual diagnoses. He has conducted assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior, conducted and supervised discrete trial and verbal behavior programs, and designed and implemented behavior acquisition programs. He has presented nationally on the assessment and treatment of problem behavior and on the acquisition of communicative behavior and co-authored the Handbook of the Standard Celeration Chart (2003 with Pennypacker and Lindsley).

Previously Dr. Gutierrez served as the clinical and practicum coordinator for Applied Behavior Analysis, Program Coordinator for the Autism Consortium at Nova Southeastern University providing consultation to school-based programs for children diagnosed with autism around the country. He is also an Adjunct Professor for the Center for Psychological Studies at Nova Southeastern University.

Office: (305) 284-3324
Email: agutierrez@psy.miami.edu

Melissa Hale, Ph.D., BCBA, Coordinator of Psychological Services, UM-NSU CARD at the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Melissa Hale serves as the Coordinator of Psychological Services for UM-NSU CARD. She is also a Licensed Psychologist and a Certified Behavior Analyst. Dr. Hale received her Ph.D., in school psychology from the University of Florida in 2002 with a specialization in applied behavior analysis. She then completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Department of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Hale has worked extensively with individuals with autism for over 10 years. Previously, Dr. Hale served as a program coordinator at the Autism Consortium at Nova Southeastern University where she provided clinical services and school-based consultation for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. She was also adjunct faculty in the psychology department at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Hale has presented at numerous local and national conferences on topics related to autism spectrum disorders.
Office: (305) 284-2350
Email: mhale@psy.miami.edu

Florida is home to many individuals with autism and related disabilities. In response to their needs, the Legislature passes a statute in 1993 authorizing the program and appropriated start up funds to establish, seven regional, nonresidential resource centers, including the University of Miami & Nova Southeastern University (UM-NSU CARD). UM-NSU CARD provides services within a tri-county area that includes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe Counties. Each CARD center has a constituency board comprised of family members who help guide program policies, priorities, and activities.

UM-NSU CARD serves both children and adults of all levels of intellectual functioning who have autism, pervasive developmental disorders, autistic-like disabilities, dual sensory impairments, or sensory impairments with other disabling conditions. Our primary focus is to provide individualized, direct assistance to these individuals and their families. Services include family support, technical assistance and consultation, parent and professional training programs, and public education activities. CARD services are designed to build on the capacities of state and local resources, not to duplicate or replace them. UM-NSU CARD is funded by the Florida Legislature through the Florida Department of Education, and all services are provided free of charge.

Office: (305) 284-5263
Website: www.umcard.org

Todd F. Ambrosia, PhD, DNSc, MSN, FNP-BC, FACC.
Dr. Ambrosia can talk about Nutrition, Health Promotion, International Nursing, Integrative Medicine, Sports Medicine, Young Men’s Health Promotion and Adolescent Health
Office: (305) 284-4089 / Cell: (443) 570-4165
Email: t.ambrosia@miami.edu

*Joseph De Santis, PhD, ARNP, ACRN
Dr. De Santis’s area of expertise is in Pediatric Nursing, HIV/AIDS, International Nursing
Office: (305) 284-5039/ Cell: (786) 218-6027
Email: jdesantis@miami.edu

Gail C. McCain, PhD, FAAN
Dr. McCain’s area of expertise is in Neonatal Pediatric Nursing, pre-term Infant growth and development, infant feeding (breast and bottle) and behavior, parenting (specially preterm). Nursing education and evidence based nursing
Office: (305) 284-2904 / Cell: (305) 951-4925
Email: gmccain@miami.edu

*Daniel A. Santisteban, PhD
Dr. Santisteban’s area of expertise is in acculturation, psychology, family relations and family therapy, adolescent behavior problems, drug use and treatment/prevention, research to practice translational research and value of research to the community.
Office: (305) 284-4271
Email: dsantist@miami.edu

*Elías P. Vásquez, PhD, NP, FAAN, FAANP
Dr. Vasquez’s area of expertise is in Neonatal, Pediatrics and substance abuse
Office: (305) 284-8655 / Cell: (786) 376-9478
Email: epvasquez@miami.edu

* Rosina Cianelli, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN
Dr. Cianelli’s area of expertise is in HIV/AIDS prevention, women’s health and Hispanic health disparities
Office: (305) 284-2147/ Cell: (305) 934-0104
Email: rcianelli@miami.edu

*Dean Nilda (Nena) Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAA
Dr. Peragallo’s area of expertise is in Women’s health, Public Health, HIV/AIDS intervention for Latinas and cultural competence, Hispanic health disparities
Office: (305) 284-2107
Email: nperagallo@miami.edu

* Rosina Cianelli, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN
Dr. Cianelli’s area of expertise is in HIV/AIDS prevention, Women’s health and Hispanic health disparities
Office: (305) 284-2147/ Cell: (305) 934-0104
Email: rcianelli@miami.edu

*Rosa M. Gonzalez-Guarda, PhD, MSN, MPH, RN
Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda’s area of expertise is in HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, intimate partner violence, Hispanic health disparities
Office: (305) 284-8374/ Cell: (305) 877-6139
Email: rosagonzalez@miami.edu

*Joseph De Santis, PhD, ARNP, ACRN
Dr. De Santis’s area of expertise is in Pediatric Nursing, HIV/AIDS, international Nursing
Office: (305) 284-5039/ Cell: (786) 218-6027
Email: jdesantis@miami.edu

*Maite Mena, PSY
Dr. Mena’s area of expertise is in Psychology Family Therapy: HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, Alzheimer’s, immigration, Hispanic health disparities

Office: (305) 284-5119 / Cell: (786) 426-3328
Email: mmena@miami.edu

*Victoria Behar Mitrani, PhD.
Dr. Mitrani can speak about Health Disparities; how families are affected by HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, Alzheimer’s, immigration and acculturation
Office: (305) 284-9139 / Cell: (305) 528-8388
Email: vmitrani@miami.edu

*Dean Nilda (Nena) Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAA
Dr. Peragallo’s area of expertise is in women’s health, Public Health, HIV/AIDS intervention for Latinas and cultural competence, Hispanic health disparities
Office: (305) 284-2107
Email: nperagallo@miami.edu

* Rosina Cianelli, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN
Dr. Cianelli’s area of expertise is in HIV/AIDS prevention, women’s health and Hispanic health disparities
Office: (305) 284-2147/ Cell: (305) 934-0104
Email: rcianelli@miami.edu

*Rosa M. Gonzalez-Guarda, PhD, MSN, MPH, RN
Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda’s area of expertise is in about HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, intimate partner violence, Hispanic health disparities
Office: (305) 284-8374/ Cell: (305) 877-6139
Email: rosagonzalez@miami.edu

*Maite Mena, PSY
Dr. Mena’s area of expertise is in Psychology, family therapy: HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, Alzheimer’s, Immigration, Hispanic Health Disparities
Office: (305) 284-5119 / Cell: (786) 426-3328
Email: mmena@miami.edu

*Victoria Behar Mitrani, PhD.
Dr. Mitrani can speak about health disparities; how families are affected by HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, Alzheimer’s, immigration and acculturation
Office: (305) 284-9139 / Cell: (305) 528-8388
Email: vmitrani@miami.edu

*Dean Nilda (Nena) Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAA
Dr. Peragallo’s area of expertise is in Women’s Health, Public Health, HIV/AIDS intervention for Latinas and cultural competence, Hispanic health disparities
Office: (305) 284-2107
Email: nperagallo@miami.edu

*Denise M. Korniewicz, PhD, FAAN
Dr. Korniewicz’s area of expertise is in emerging infections, patient safety, infectious diseases, infection control, health care worker safety
Office: (305) 284-8347/ Cell: (786) 299-0741
Email: dkorniewicz@miami.edu

*Maite Mena, PSY
Dr. Mena’s area of expertise is in Psychology Family Therapy: HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, Alzheimer’s, immigration, Hispanic health disparities
Office: (305) 284-5119 / Cell: (786) 426-3328
Email: mmena@miami.edu

*Victoria Behar Mitrani, PhD.
Dr. Mitrani can speak about health disparities; how families are affected by HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, Alzheimer’s, immigration and acculturation
Office: (305) 284-9139 / Cell: (305) 528-8388
Email: vmitrani@miami.edu

*Daniel A. Santisteban, PhD
Dr. Santisteban’s area of expertise is in acculturation, psychology, family relations and family therapy, adolescent behavior problems, drug use and treatment/prevention, research to practice translational research and value of research to the community.
Office: (305) 284-4271
Email: dsantist@miami.edu

*Elías P. Vásquez, PhD, NP, FAAN, FAANP
Dr. Vasquez’s area of expertise is in Neonatal, Pediatrics, substance abuse
Office: (305) 284-8655 / Cell: (786) 376-9478
Email: epvasquez@miami.edu

JoAnn Trybulski, PhD, APRN, BC
Dr. Trybulski’s area of expertise is in adult primary care, health assessment, elective pregnancy termination, Practice Doctorate in Nursing and Qualitative Research
Office: (305) 284-6702 / Cell: (305) 496-4352
Email: jtrybulski@miami.edu