Dr. Micheal Sandbank is an internationally renowned expert on early interventions for children on the autism spectrum. She is the lead researcher on Project AIM, a comprehensive and ongoing meta-analysis of all nonpharmacological interventions designed for young autistic children, which was selected as one of the Top Advances in Autism Research in 2020 by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Her work has been published in prestigious journals such as The BMJ, JAMA Pediatrics, and Psychological Bulletin and has informed clinical guidelines on the care and support of autistic children and their families.

Jared’s research interests include better understanding of sport science applications in collegiate athletics, focusing on wearable technology, biomechanics, and athlete monitoring. 

I design and deliver accessible, student-centered instruction in radiologic sciences, with a focus on helping adult learners build confidence in complex clinical and technical concepts. My work blends theory with real-world application, using analogies, visuals, and formative assessment to make radiography content clear, engaging, and relevant from day one. I specialize in curriculum development that anticipates student confusion, scaffolds learning step-by-step, and integrates transparent rubrics and actionable assignments.

Areas of Interest:

Neuroimaging, neuroplasticity, and neurorehabilitation.

Audrey’s research interests include Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and literacy instruction in schools. She is interested in parent-teacher-SLP coaching, how AAC users advocate for themselves, and alternative access methods such as eye gaze.

Audrey has furthered her education by obtaining a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and a North Carolina Speech-Language Pathology License.

I’m a registered diagnostic medical sonographer with experience in abdominal, OB/GYN, pediatric, and vascular imaging. Before moving into teaching, I spent years working in clinical settings and now I get to combine that real-world experience with my passion for helping students succeed.

In our program, I focus on making learning practical, hands-on, and connected to what you’ll see in the field. You’ll find I’m big on real patient cases, tips you can actually use in clinic, and creating an environment where questions are always welcome. My goal is to help you leave here confident, prepared, and excited about your career in sonography.

I’m a public school product, advocate and supporter – and have enjoyed training future physical therapists at UNC for many years. Neurologic PT practice has been my focus since a rehab rotation as a student, I’m especially interested in cognitive processes and how they interact with motor function. This is an area that I’ve researched in older adults and in individuals with brain injury, with recent efforts emphasizing mTBI in the military population.

Dana McCarty is a pediatric physical therapist and clinical researcher dedicated to improving outcomes for high-risk infants and their families through developing and testing innovative physical therapy interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Her research began with a focus on cranial molding deformities, particularly dolichocephaly in preterm infants, where she led the first study to track its development and risk factors during hospitalization. She later demonstrated the effectiveness of a Midliner Positioning System in improving cranial outcomes. Building on her clinical insights, Danadeveloped and tested a therapist-led, parent-centered intervention to support both infant development and maternal mental health while pursuing a PhD in Maternal and Child Health. Her dissertation used mixed methods to identify barriers to maternal presence in the NICU, resulting in actionable, community-informed recommendations for institutions to increase maternal access to their infants in the NICU.

Dana’s work has also contributed to the broader field through her involvement in a multidisciplinary research consortium, where she helped identify key components of effective NICU-to-home interventions. Her current research, funded by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, explores an Immersive Therapy Model (ITM) designed to increase therapy dosage and parent-therapist interaction in the NICU. This model addresses disparities in care access, particularly for families with low socioeconomic status, by enabling more flexible and frequent engagement. Her research trajectory reflects a strong commitment to family-centered, evidence-based care that bridges clinical practice and public health.