Captains and crew
Principal Investigators
Dr. Abbey Eisenhower (she/her/hers)
Principal Investigator (PI),
Director of UMass Boston study site
University of Massachusetts Boston
Hello! I am a professor at UMass Boston, where I conduct research and teach Psychology classes. It is a privilege to work with talented teachers to make school a more affirming and supportive place for autistic students. In my free time, I love to go hiking and camping, watch baking shows with my kids, and drink Boba tea.
Dr. Jan Blacher
(she/her/hers)
Co-Principal Investigator,
Director of UC-Riverside study site
University of California, Riverside
Nice to meet you! I’m a Distinguished Research Professor in the School of Education at the University of California Riverside and in the Department of Psychology at UCLA. When I am not serving as co-Principal Investigator on Smooth Sailing, advising students or writing, I am walking my Cavachon puppy, Archie, playing tennis, or baking (gluten-free or otherwise!).
Dr. Narmene Hamsho (she/her/hers)
Co-Principal Investigator
Fairleigh-Dickinson University, NY
Hi! I am an Assistant Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University training the next generation of school psychologists. When I’m not working, you can probably find me curled up in a comfy spot with a good book and a warm cup of tea!
Key Personnel & Consultants
Dr. Nedim Yel
(he/him/his)
Key Personnel
Indiana University
Hi there! I am the Executive Director of Data Analysis and Statistical Solutions. On this project, I’m the statistical analysis consultant. Away from the rigors of my professional commitments, I find solace in nature. Whether hiking through verdant trails, camping under starry skies, or taking serene walks alongside lakes, rivers, or beaches, I cherish these experiences’ tranquility.
Dr. Eric Endlich
(he/him/his)
Key Personnel
Top College Consultants
Shana Cohen
(she/her/ella)
Key Personnel
University of California, San Diego
Hello! I’m Shana Cohen. I am an associate professor in the Education Studies Department at UC San Diego. My research examines the experiences of immigrant, bilingual families who care for children with developmental disabilities. On this project, I will be supporting the qualitative data collection portion (individual and focus group interviews with teachers). When I’m not teaching or doing research, I enjoy hiking with my family and cooking.
Dr. Yasamin Bolourian
(she/her/hers)
Consultant
University of California, Los Angeles
I’m Yasamin Bolourian, PhD. I work as the Director of Outreach and Dissemination at the UCLA Tarjan Center UCEDD. On this project, I’m the program evaluation consultant. When I’m not working, I love spending time with my almost one-year-old. It’s a joy to balance family and work while making a positive impact!
Dr. Jason Downer
(he/him/his)
Consultant
University of Virginia
Hi there! I’m a Professor in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia, and the Director of the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning. I will serve as a consultant on the Smooth Sailing study, helping with classroom observations. I am the proud father of triplet teenagers and, when not driving them around, I enjoy reading, mountain-biking and playing soccer.
Research Staff and Students
Greta Vecsey
(she/her/hers)
Research Coordinator
University of Massachusetts Boston
Hello! My name is Greta, and I’m the Research Coordinator on the Smooth Sailing project. I graduated from the University of Vermont in 2024 with a major in Psychology and minor in Sociology. I have been working in neurodivergence research since my junior year at UVM, where I focused on ADHD in early childhood. In my free time, I love staying active with rock climbing, running, and yoga, or relaxing with a book or knitting project!
Dr. Jordan Mullins
(she/her/hers)
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of California, Riverside
Gabi MacNaughton
(she/her/hers)
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of California, Los Angeles
Hi there! My name is Gabi MacNaughton and I’m a PhD student in Clinical Psychology at UCLA. I work as the coach coordinator and as a teacher coach for the Smooth Sailing project. Some of my favorite things to do are walk my dog, go to the beach, and read. I also love baking gluten free desserts– my speciality is chocolate chip banana bread!
Amy Hoffman
(she/her)
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of California, Riverside
My name is Amy Hoffman, and I am a third-year Special Education PhD student at UC Riverside. My area of focus is autism in young adulthood, with special interests in assessment/measurement, postsecondary disability accommodations, and the general public’s understanding of autism. I work as a coach with the Smooth Sailing program, and also help out with enrollment, so I’ve probably emailed with a lot of you! I’m a former middle- and high school teacher, and a mom of two neurodivergent young adults. In the small amount of free time I have these days, I enjoy hiking, reading science fiction, and playing with my dogs and cats.
Josh Chou
(he/they)
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Hello! I am a second-year doctoral student in the UMass Boston Clinical Psychology PhD program. I work as a counselor at the UMass Boston Counseling Center and a coach for the Smooth Sailing program! In my free time, I enjoy cooking, working out, and live music.
Elizabeth Kilgallon
(she/her/hers)
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of Massachusetts Boston
My name is Elizabeth Kilgallon and I am a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at UMass Boston. I work as a research assistant for Smooth Sailing. I have a big golden retriever named Beasley and, even though he’s already 5 years old, he went swimming for the first time this summer! Now our favorite thing is to find new spots around the Boston area for him to swim and play.
Giselle Martinez
(she/her/hers)
Graduate Research Assistant
Fairleigh-Dickinson University, NY
Ellen Parry Luff
(he/him/his or she/her/hers)
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of Massachusetts Boston
My name is Ellen Parry Luff, and I am a student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at UMass Boston. I currently work as a coach for the Smooth Sailing study. In my free time, I love to draw and paint, and used to work as an art teacher. I also love music and play guitar and bass guitar.
Katharine ‘KOB’ O’Brien
(they/them/she/her/hers)
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of California, Riverside
Greetings! My name is Katharine O’Brien, but I commonly go by my initials, KOB. The work we do on the Smooth Sailing Study is close to my heart as an autistic teacher who specialized in working with neurodivergent students. I hold an Ed.M from Harvard, and taught for nine years in the Greater Boston area before coming to UCR to work on my PhD in special education. I’ve coached skiing, sailing, and even Dungeons & Dragons club, and I’m looking forward to now coaching my fellow teachers!
Sarah M. Yang (Min)
(she/her/hers)
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of Massachusetts Boston
Noah Patzarian
(he/him)
Post-Bach Research Assistant
University of Massachusetts Boston
Nicole Nadwodny
(she/her/hers)
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of Massachusetts Boston
Hi! My name is Nicole Nadwodny, and I’m a Clinical Psychology PhD Candidate at the University of Massachusetts Boston. I am passionate about improving systems of care to better support autistic and neurodivergent communities. In my free time, I love running, hiking, snuggling with my French bulldog, cooking, and trying out new restaurants.
Jules Zielke
(they/them)
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of Massachusetts Boston
Hi there! I’m Jules, and I’m a first year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at UMass Boston. I’m excited to be joining Smooth Sailing as a research assistant! A little more about me: in my natural habitat, I can be found singing, gaming, catching up on shows, or stargazing.
Selena Arana
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of California, Riverside
Selena Arana, B.S. is a first-year doctoral student in the Special Education program at the University of California, Riverside. She earned her B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Riverside. Prior to joining the SEARCH and Smooth Sailing labs, Selena supported individuals with autism as an in-home Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and later as a supervisor at the University Center for Developmental Disabilities at California State University, San Bernardino.
Her research focuses on autism and family systems, with particular interests in interventions for siblings of children with autism and the parenting practices of Latine families raising children with autism. Through her work, she aims to develop and refine interventions that are culturally responsive and meaningful for the diverse communities they are designed to serve.
Recent Alums
Oscar E. Hughes
(he/him/his)
Fernanda Castellón
(she/her/ella)
Hayley McAvoy
(she/her/hers)
Chanel Nettle, M.A
(she/her/hers)
Kohrissa Joseph
(she/her/hers)
Diana Noriega
(she/her/hers)
Kira Cohen
(she/her/hers)
Brittany Giuliani
(she/her/hers)
Ngoc Van Anh Nguyen (Vanh)
(she/her/they)
Nicolas Lam Villalobos (Nico)
(he/him/his)
Kayley Miller
(she/her/hers)
Ready to learn more about Smooth Sailing?
Please sign up for our mailing list below to learn about future participation opportunities.
You may also email us with any questions.
You may reach our coordinator, Greta Vecsey, for any questions about this program, at smoothsailing@umb.edu.
You can also reach our program directors, including Abbey Eisenhower at UMass Boston (abbey.eisenhower@umb.edu) and Jan Blacher at UC Riverside (jan.blacher@ucr.edu).