As both a researcher and practicing speech-language pathologist, I am committed to addressing clinically meaningful questions that improve the lives of children with speech disorders. My work focuses on optimizing assessment and intervention for children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and related conditions. I take a two-pronged in my research: (1) identifying sources of variability in communication development and treatment response, and (2) applying evidence about individual, therapeutic, and environmental factors to design more effective, personalized interventions. I am particularly interested in advancing understanding and outcomes for children with complex profiles, including those with co-occurring autism, language and literacy impairments, and other challenges. In addition to my research, I am deeply invested in teaching and mentoring. I strive to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment that challenges students to grow in skill and confidence, using pedagogically grounded techniques to promote classroom engagement, critical thinking, and clinical application.

My work is centered around OT education and practice. Among my responsibilities in the education realm are coordinating the admissions process for the MSOT program and supporting that program through teaching, student advising, administrative, and organizational activities. My practice of OT is focused on children (ages 0-21) who have delays, disabilities, or other health conditions that impact the ways they and their families participate in everyday life. I have a particular interest in neurodevelopmental disabilities and serve as the OT faculty for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program at UNC, housed at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. I also have a strong interest in very young children and their families, and am working with the UNC Hospital Newborn Critical Care Center (NCCC).

My research interest is the acquisition and development of language in children who are in the process of learning two languages as dual language learners, particularly Spanish and English. Additional research interests include identifying and refining least-bias approaches to assess dual language learners’ language skills and developing effective interventions for dual language learners, including children who need tiered educational support for language and literacy learning and children with language disorder.

Dr. Alexander works across programs in the School of Medicine to develop educational curricula and assessments. This includes evaluating programmatic changes and understanding how we best prepare students for their roles in the health professions. His research focuses on alternative methods of curricular delivery and their impact on student outcomes, as well as the ways in which technological innovations change the way we teach and practice medicine.

I am a developmental psychologist specializing in the application of novel methodologies and approaches to characterize developmental trajectories in individuals with a diagnosis of autism across the lifespan, with a specific focus on sex differences in symptom presentation and underlying mechanisms. I have published extensively in this area, including on the research priorities of autistic women (Putnam et al., 2023) and improving the identification and supports for autistic females (Lai et al., 2023). My current research, funded through NIMH, NICHD and private foundations, focuses on the application of innovative translational research methods to understand observed phenotypic and trajectory differences between males and females with autism.

I am the clinical coordinator for the Radiologist Assistant Program. I also teach a course in Vascular and Lymphatic Imaging.

My work consists of managing clinical contracts and affiliation agreements the Department of Health Sciences and numerous facilities nationwide have established. I primarily focus on agreements for the following programs: Audiology, Clinical Lab Sciences, Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, Neurodiagnostic and Sleep Sciences, Radiology, Sonography, as well as Speech and Hearing Sciences. I work alongside OPSCA and OUC to process renewals and new requests for agreements and act as a liaison between the department and the divisions during the execution process. I also assist in collecting and managing data for student services and managing locker assignments for incoming students.