Current Morse Scholars
- Kellie Collins, PT, DPT, PCS
- Monica Duran
- Melissa Jenkins, PhD
- Jamie Koenig, AM
- Jess Mankewitz, MS
- Olivia Pokoski, MPH
- Ryan Risgaard
- Emily Schworer, PhD

I am a pediatric physical therapist and PhD student specializing in neurodevelopment and motor function. Working closely with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy for over a decade has provided invaluable insights into the challenges and disparities they encounter across their lifespans. My research is dedicated to improving our understanding of how early brain development impacts motor function and rehabilitation outcomes in infants with an early brain injury. I focus on the critical period from birth to 12 months of age when the brain’s motor pathways, especially the corticospinal tract (CST), undergo significant changes. By using advanced neuroimaging techniques and non-invasive brain stimulation, I investigate how these pathways influence a child’s ability to move and engage with their environment. Additionally, I am interested in how these developmental pathways may differ in infants with varying levels of motor impairments. Understanding these neural processes is crucial for developing personalized rehabilitation strategies to enhance the quality of life and participation of children with motor disabilities. My long-term goal is to translate these scientific insights into clinical practice, helping to shape the future of pediatric rehabilitation and optimize outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental challenges.
Home department: Graduate Program in Clinical Investigation; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Pediatrics & Rehabilitation Medicine
Major professor: Bernadette Gillick, PhD, MSPT, PT
Disciplines that I pull from in my research: Pediatrics, Neuroscience, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation, Neurophysiology, Neonatology, Medical Physics/Neuroimaging
Articles that influenced my research:
Saiote C, Sutter E, Xenopoulos-Oddsson A, Rao R, Georgieff M, Rudser K, Peyton C, Dean D, McAdams RM, Gillick B. Study Protocol: Multimodal Longitudinal Assessment of Infant Brain Organization and Recovery in Perinatal Brain Injury. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2022 Apr 1;34(2):268-276. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000886. PMID: 35385465; PMCID: PMC9200232.
Kowalski JL, Nemanich ST, Nawshin T, Chen M, Peyton C, Zorn E, Hickey M, Rao R, Georgieff M, Rudser K, Gillick BT. Motor Evoked Potentials as Potential Biomarkers of Early Atypical Corticospinal Tract Development in Infants with Perinatal Stroke. J Clin Med. 2019 Aug 13;8(8):1208. doi: 10.3390/jcm8081208. PMID: 31412592; PMCID: PMC6723226.
Novak I, Morgan C, Adde L, Blackman J, Boyd RN, Brunstrom-Hernandez J, Cioni G, Damiano D, Darrah J, Eliasson AC, de Vries LS, Einspieler C, Fahey M, Fehlings D, Ferriero DM, Fetters L, Fiori S, Forssberg H, Gordon AM, Greaves S, Guzzetta A, Hadders-Algra M, Harbourne R, Kakooza-Mwesige A, Karlsson P, Krumlinde-Sundholm L, Latal B, Loughran-Fowlds A, Maitre N, McIntyre S, Noritz G, Pennington L, Romeo DM, Shepherd R, Spittle AJ, Thornton M, Valentine J, Walker K, White R, Badawi N. Early, Accurate Diagnosis and Early Intervention in Cerebral Palsy: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment. JAMA Pediatr. 2017 Sep 1;171(9):897-907. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.1689. Erratum in: JAMA Pediatr. 2017 Sep 1;171(9):919. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.3169. PMID: 28715518; PMCID: PMC9641643.
Chakrabarty S, Friel KM, Martin JH. Activity-dependent plasticity improves M1 motor representation and corticospinal tract connectivity. J Neurophysiol. 2009 Mar;101(3):1283-93. doi: 10.1152/jn.91026.2008. Epub 2008 Dec 17. PMID: 19091920; PMCID: PMC2666405.
Eyre JA, Smith M, Dabydeen L, Clowry GJ, Petacchi E, Battini R, Guzzetta A, Cioni G. Is hemiplegic cerebral palsy equivalent to amblyopia of the corticospinal system? Ann Neurol. 2007 Nov;62(5):493-503. doi: 10.1002/ana.21108. PMID: 17444535.

Curriculum Vitae
My research aims to better understand how subtle variations in brain development and connectivity correlate with individual behavioral differences in autistic children. Specifically, I apply advanced neuroimaging methods and behavioral assessments to explore the role of the brainstem in arousal regulation, sleep, sensory processing, and attention in autistic children. I am also very interested in examining how these neurodevelopmental pathways may differ in autistic children with co-occurring conditions like ADHD. Outlining details about these neural pathways is essential to improving our understanding of the unique neurodevelopmental trajectories in autism, which in the future could inform novel diagnostic and subtyping brain biomarkers and contribute to the development of neurobiology-based personalized interventions that may enhance the health and wellbeing for autistic individuals. My long-term goal is to integrate these scientific insights with clinical practice as a physician-scientist, dedicated to advancing care and outcomes for those with disabilities.
Home department: Neuroscience Training Program; Medical Scientist Training Program
Major professor: Brittany Travers, PhD
Disciplines that I pull from in my research: Neuroscience, Psychology, Medical Physics/Neuroimaging
Articles that influenced my research:
Dadalko, O. I., & Travers, B. G. (2018). Evidence for Brainstem Contributions to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 12, 47. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2018.00047
Surgent, O., Riaz, A., Ausderau, K. K., Adluru, N., Kirk, G. R., Guerrero-Gonzalez, J., Skaletski, E. C., Kecskemeti, S. R., Dean Iii, D. C., Weismer, S. E., Alexander, A. L., & Travers, B. G. (2022). Brainstem white matter microstructure is associated with hyporesponsiveness and overall sensory features in autistic children. Molecular Autism, 13(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-022-00524-3
Singh, K., García-Gomar, M. G., Cauzzo, S., Staab, J. P., Indovina, I., & Bianciardi, M. (2022). Structural connectivity of autonomic, pain, limbic, and sensory brainstem nuclei in living humans based on 7 Tesla and 3 Tesla MRI. Human Brain Mapping, 43(10), 3086–3112. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.25836
Salhi, S., Kora, Y., Ham, G., Zadeh Haghighi, H., & Simon, C. (2023). Network analysis of the human structural connectome including the brainstem. PLOS ONE, 18(4), e0272688. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272688
Edlow, B. L., Olchanyi, M., Freeman, H. J., Li, J., Maffei, C., Snider, S. B., Zöllei, L., Iglesias, J. E., Augustinack, J., Bodien, Y. G., Haynes, R. L., Greve, D. N., Diamond, B. R., Stevens, A., Giacino, J. T., Destrieux, C., Van Der Kouwe, A., Brown, E. N., Folkerth, R. D., … Kinney, H. C. (2024). Multimodal MRI reveals brainstem connections that sustain wakefulness in human consciousness. Science Translational Medicine, 16(745), eadj4303. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.adj4303

My program of research focuses on risk factors for violence and exploitation among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), as well as the role of adverse childhood experiences in physical and behavioral health outcomes among individuals with IDD. My research approach is guided by the following beliefs: (a) research is impactful when the population(s) of interest perceive it as as both important and relevant; and (b) a crucial component of effective research is the active participation of community members. My goal is to develop comprehensive interpersonal violence prevention programming that balances safety and empowerment through consistent community engagement and partnership.
Training mentor: Sigan Hartley, PhD
Disciplines that I pull from in my research: Social Work, Public Health, Sociology, and Education
Articles that influenced my research:
Reid, J. A. (2018). Sex trafficking of girls with intellectual disabilities: An exploratory mixed methods study. Sexual Abuse: Journal of Research and Treatment, 30(2), 107–131. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063216630981
Rizo, C.F., Klein, L.B., Chesworth, B.R., O’Brien, J.E., Macy, R.J., Martin, S.L., Crews, M.E., & Love, B.L. (2019). Educating youth about commercial sexual exploitation of children: A systematic review. Global Social Welfare, 6, 29–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-018-0119-7
Rothman, E. F., Heller, S., & Graham Holmes, L. (2023). Sexual, physical, and emotional aggression, experienced by autistic vs. non-autistic U.S. college students. Journal of American College Health, 71(9), 2786–2794. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1996373
Rothman, E. F., & Graham Holmes, L. (2022). Using formative research to develop HEARTS: A curriculum-based healthy relationships promoting intervention for individuals on the autism spectrum. Autism, 26(1), 160–168. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211024521

My research focuses on health and public benefit access and efficacy for autistic adults. In doing so, I aim to listen to and collaborate with autistic adults. In my research, I hope to understand autistic adults’ perceptions of and use of public benefits throughout the lifespan. The ultimate goal of this research is to inform more effective and accessible public benefit policies and supports for autistic adults.
Home department: Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work
Major professor: Lauren Bishop, PhD
Disciplines that I pull from in my research: Social Work, Public Policy, Sociology
Articles that influenced my research:
Shea, L. L., Koffer Miller, K. H., Verstreate, K., Tao, S., & Mandell, D. (2021). States’ use of Medicaid to meet the needs of autistic individuals. Health Services Research, 56(6), 1207–1214. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.13671
Jariwala-Parikh, K., Barnard, M., Holmes, E. R., West-Strum, D., Bentley, J. P., Banahan, B., & Khanna, R. (2019). Autism Prevalence in the Medicaid Program and Healthcare Utilization and Costs Among Adult Enrollees Diagnosed with Autism. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 46(6), 768–776. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-019-00960-z
Botha, M., & Gillespie-Lynch, K. (2022). Come as You Are: Examining Autistic Identity Development and the Neurodiversity Movement through an Intersectional Lens. Human Development, 66(2), 93–112. https://doi.org/10.1159/000524123
Bell, E., Christensen, J., Herd, P., & Moynihan, D. (2023). Health in citizen-state interactions: How physical and mental health problems shape experiences of administrative burden and reduce take-up. Public Administration Review, 83(2), 385–400. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13568

My research explores the relationship between language development and social cognition in young children. Employing innovative methodologies such as gaze-contingent eye-tracking paradigms, I investigate how toddlers acquire and use the complex social rules governing language use. This approach allows for the study of early pragmatic competencies while minimizing confounding factors like social engagement or language production requirements. By developing and openly sharing novel empirical methods and computational tools, I also seek to enhance research accessibility in developmental psychology. My work aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of language acquisition and social cognition across diverse populations, bridging insights from various disciplines within human development to advance our knowledge of early cognitive and linguistic processes.
Home department: Psychology
Major Professor: Jenny Saffran, PhD
Disciplines that I pull from in my research: Developmental Psychology, Linguistics, Cognitive Science
Articles that influenced my research:
Koenig, M. A., & Woodward, A. L. (2010). Sensitivity of 24-month-olds to the prior inaccuracy of the source: Possible mechanisms. Developmental Psychology, 46(4), 815–826. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019664
Bohn, M., & Frank, M. C. (2019). The Pervasive Role of Pragmatics in Early Language. In Annual Review of Developmental Psychology (Vol. 1, Issue Volume 1, 2019, pp. 223–249). Annual Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-devpsych-121318-085037
Bazhydai, M., Westermann, G., & Parise, E. (2020). “I don’t know but I know who to ask”: 12‐month‐olds actively seek information from knowledgeable adults. Developmental Science, 23(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.12938
Raviv, L., & Arnon, I. (2018). Systematicity, but not compositionality: Examining the emergence of linguistic structure in children and adults using iterated learning. Cognition, 181, 160–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2018.08.011
Newport, E. L. (1990). Maturational Constraints on Language Learning. Cognitive Science, 14(1), 11–28. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15516709cog1401_2

My research interests include the intersection of developmental disabilities, health disparities, and maternal and child health. Currently, under the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED), I am working to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the adaptive behavior among preschool aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Understanding the mechanisms through which the pandemic may have influenced specific areas of development in children with ASD will allow us to better deliver services during unprecedented times in the future. Additionally, I am working on estimating the statewide prevalence of children with ASD in Wisconsin using Medicaid claims and educational data. Future work involves the inclusion of biomedical informatics to create an ASD registry for the state of Wisconsin to gain a better understanding of the epidemiology of ASD.
Home department: Population Health Sciences
Major professor: Maureen Durkin, PhD, DrPH
Disciplines that I pull from in my research: Epidemiology, Public Health, Sociology
Articles that influenced my research:
Lyall, K, Croen, L, Daniels, J, Fallin, MD, Ladd-Acosta, C, Lee, BK, Park, BY, Snyder, NW, Schendel, D, Volk, H, Windham, GC, & Newschaffer, C (2017). The changing epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders. Annual review of public health, 38, 81-102. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031816-044318
Mandell, DS, Ittenbach, RF, Levy, SE & Pinto-Martin, JA (2007). Disparities in diagnoses received prior to a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 37(9), 1795-1892. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0314-8
Houtrow, A, Harris, D, Molinero, A, Levin-Decanini, T, & Robichaud, C (2020). Children with disabilities in the United States and the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine, 13(3), 415-424. https://doi.org/10.3233/PRM-200769

My fundamental drive as a future physician-scientist is to improve the diagnosis, treatment and understanding of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. I aim to accomplish these goals through my research and clinical training in developmental neuroscience. My research aims to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern human brain development and evolution.
Home department: Medical Scientist Training Program; Cell and Molecular Biology
Major professor: André Sousa, PhD
Disciplines that I pull from in my research: Developmental biology, Evolutionary neuroscience, Genomics, Stem cell biology

My research centers on cognitive and adaptive functioning development in individuals with Down syndrome throughout the lifespan. One goal of this work is to determine how biological and environmental factors alter development and explain heterogeneity in these skills across individuals with Down syndrome; this information is important for directing interventions and individualized treatment plans. Another important aspect of studying cognition in individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities is measurement. My work is aimed at establishing feasible, reliable, and valid cognitive outcome measures for research studies and future clinical trials involving individuals with Down syndrome. This includes identifying cognitive measures that correlate with biomarkers of brain pathology in the unfolding of Alzheimer’s disease in Down syndrome. I am also interested in developing remote procedures for cognitive measurement to reduce participant burden and improve access to research in rural communities.
Training mentor: Sigan Hartley, PhD
Disciplines that I pull from in my research: Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, Neuroscience, Aging, Education
Articles that influenced my research:
Hartley, S. L., Handen, B. L., Devenny, D., Tudorascu, D., Piro-Gambetti, B., Zammit, M. D., Laymon, C. M., Klunk, W. E., Zaman, S., Cohen, A., & Christian, B. T. (2020). Cognitive indicators of transition to preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer’s disease in Down syndrome. Alzheimer’s & Dementia (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 12(1), e12096. https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.12096
Thurm, A., Kelleher, B., & Wheeler, A. (2020). Outcome Measures for Core Symptoms of Intellectual Disability: State of the Field. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 125(6), 418–433. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-125.6.418
Esbensen, A. J., Hooper, S. R., Fidler, D., Hartley, S. L., Edgin, J., d’Ardhuy, X. L., Capone, G., Conners, F. A., Mervis, C. B., Abbeduto, L., Rafii, M. S., Krinsky-McHale, S. J., Urv, T., & Outcome Measures Working Group (2017). Outcome Measures for Clinical Trials in Down Syndrome. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 122(3), 247–281. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-122.3.247
Karmiloff-Smith, A., Al-Janabi, T., D’Souza, H., Groet, J., Massand, E., Mok, K., Startin, C., Fisher, E., Hardy, J., Nizetic, D., Tybulewicz, V., & Strydom, A. (2016). The importance of understanding individual differences in Down syndrome. F1000Research, 5, F1000 Faculty Rev-389. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.7506.1
Kelleher, B. L., Halligan, T., Witthuhn, N., Neo, W. S., Hamrick, L., & Abbeduto, L. (2020). Bringing the Laboratory Home: PANDABox Telehealth-Based Assessment of Neurodevelopmental Risk in Children. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 1634. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01634
Daunhauer, L. A., Fidler, D. J., Hahn, L., Will, E., Lee, N. R., & Hepburn, S. (2014). Profiles of everyday executive functioning in young children with down syndrome. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 119(4), 303–318. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-119.4.303