Christine T. Moody, Ph.D., leads the postsecondary education and employment initiatives at the UCLA Tarjan Center. Specifically, she is involved with multiple partnerships with the California Community College Chancellor's Office and California Department of Rehabilitation, providing training and technical assistance to support those serving young adults with developmental disabilities, such as autism and intellectual disability, in these systems. In addition to these roles, Dr. Moody is the Director of Research at the UCLA PEERS Clinic, facilitating and publishing research on the efficacy and implementation of the various PEERS social skills programs. In this role, Dr. Moody also coordinates a large team of research assistants and contributes to the professional development of aspiring clinicians and researchers in the field through various forms of mentorship, including supporting independent research projects and conference presentations, co-facilitating monthly meetings on topics relevant to career pursuits, and organizing the PEERS and CART Journal Clubs. Dr. Moody is a licensed clinical psychologist, and received her doctorate in clinical psychology from UCLA in 2020 under the mentorship of Drs. Bruce Baker and Jan Blacher. Dr. Moody has been working with youth and young adults with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families for over ten years, receiving specialized clinical and research training from leaders in the field, including Drs. Elizabeth Laugeson, Catherine Lord, Connie Kasari, and Ann Kaiser. Her research interests have focused on identifying factors that promote positive outcomes for young people with neurodevelopmental disorders. She is especially passionate about the importance of mental health, positive relationships, and bolstering systemic supports and awareness at all levels (e.g., families, schools, society). Dr. Moody is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) Divisions 33 and 53, International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), and California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability (CAPED). She further serves on the Employment First Committee of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD).
