The following faculty and staff members have joined the Yale Child Study Center in the last month, in addition to those announced in April and August. A warm welcome to all!
Francisca Ibarra: After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Hispanic studies at Wheaton College, Ibarra began working in the field of education. She worked at Madison Public Schools as a paraprofessional and continues to work as a behavioral technician at Connec-to-talk. Ibarra hopes to pursue a master’s in psychology and continue working in an educational setting. She is excited to learn more while working in the YCSC in-patient unit as a teacher assistant with Tammie Goodmaster and Mary Gunsalus.
Alexandre (Alex) Jourdon, Ph.D.: Recently promoted from postdoctoral associate to associate research scientist, Jourdan studies brain development, somatic mosaicism, and autism apectrum disorder in vitro using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Before completing his PhD in Paris, working in the laboratory of Patrick Charnay in the Biological Institute of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, he earned a master’s degree in neuroscience as well as a bioengineering degree. His interests revolve around developmental neuroscience and stem cell biology.
Trisha Miller, M.S., LADC, AADC: Before beginning her work with YCSC’s Family Based Recovery (FBR) program, Miller completed her master’s degree in human services with a concentration in clinical counseling at Post University. Prior to that, she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and social work from Albertus Magnus College. Licensed as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), she is also a board-certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC). Since 2005, she has worked with adults and adolescents in various treatment settings. Miller’s clinical focus has been on harm reduction, relapse prevention, repairing relationships, boosting self-efficacy, restructuring of recovery supports, preservation of the family system, identifying barriers to treatment, and social skills development.
Jordan Shamas: Prior to joining the YCSC as a CHILD Training Coordinator, Shamas received a degree in Psychology and Brain Biology in New Jersey and then worked as an ABA Therapist with young children. More recently, she served as the Director of a Day Program for adults with neurodiverse disabilities, working diligently to increase the success and independence of her clients
Bailey Woods, M. Ed.: In her role as education programs manager for the Gesell Program in Early Childhood, Woods leads research and training efforts for the Gesell Assessment System. Her work focuses on informing educators, pediatricians, and therapists in the latest research on how children learn and grow. Bailey attended Western Kentucky University for her bachelor’s degree, and went on to receive a master’s degree in education with a curriculum and instruction concentration from Fresno State University. During her 13 years as an educator, in private and public schools, she has taught 2-year-olds through 5th grade. She has worked with Gesell as a trainer since 2015.