Each year, the Autism SIG recognizes graduate students, early career researchers, outstanding mentors, and individuals who have made transformative contributions to research in ASD and developmental disabilities. Our most recent honorees are highlighted below. Congratulations to all of our awardees!
Best Student Clinician-Researcher Award
The best student clinician-researcher & researcher award is presented to a matriculated masters- or doctoral-level student based on current and potential future impact of the awardee to the autism field.
2024 Samara Wolpe; Researcher Award: Liliana Valvano
Transformative Contribution Award
2024 Micah Mazurek, PhD
Outstanding Mentor Award
The outstanding mentor award seeks to acknowledge and appreciate individuals who have had a significant impact on mentees’ careers, professional development, and personal growth.
2024 Laura Anthony, PhD
Travel Award
The travel award is offered to trainees presenting their research at ABCT.
2024 Samara Wolpe, Laurel Benjamin, & Liliana Valvano; Autistic Travel Award: Lorelei McEwen
Congratulations to our past award winners!
| Year | Best Student Clinician-Researcher Award | Early Career Award | Transformative Contribution Award | Outstanding Mentor Award | Travel Award & Autistic Travel Award |
| 2024 | Samara Wolpe Researcher Award: Liliana Valvano | Micah Mazurek, PhD | Laura Anthony, PhD | Samara Wolpe, Laurel Benjamin, & Liliana Valvano Autistic Travel Award: Lorelei McEwen | |
| 2023 | Ingrid Tien | Caitlin Conner, PhD | Lauren Quetsch, PhD | Rachel McDonald & Bridgett Kiernan | |
| 2022 | Grace Lee Simmons | Lauren Quetsch, PhD | Cy Nadler, PhD | ||
| 2021 | Angela Dahiya | Vanessa Bal, PhD | Matthew Lerner, PhD | ||
| 2020 | Kyle Frost | Christina McDonnell, PhD | Eric Butter, PhD | Kim Zlomke, PhD | |
| 2019 | Reina Factor | Cy Nadler, PhD | Ami Klin, PhD & Judy Reaven, PhD | Susan White, PhD | |
| 2018 | Isaac Smith | Lindsey Burrell, PhD | Lauren Kenworthy, PhD & Lawrence Scahill, PhD | ||
| 2017 | Marika Coffman & Erin Kang | Cara Pugliese, PhD | Matthew Lerner, PhD | ||
| 2016 | Rebecca Elias | Megan Tudor, PhD | Lauren Brookman-Frazee, PhD | ||
| 2015 | Caitlin Conner | Brenna Maddox, PhD | Susan White, PhD | ||
| 2014 | Jenna Mendelson | Ashley Johnson Harrison, PhD | David Mandell, PhD |