Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 4

In 2022, VKC UCEDD Co-Director Erik Carter announced he would be leaving Vanderbilt and taking a position at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Carter to discuss some of his highly impactful research, training and technical assistance in the areas of adolescent transitions to adult life and employment; social interaction and friendships, school and community inclusion; faith and disability, and belonging.

VKC Researcher:
Erik Carter, Ph.D., Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair and Professor of Special Education; Co-Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)

Interviewer: Courtney Taylor, M.Div., Director of Communications and Dissemination, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 3

In this podcast we discuss our research using mice with a genetic deletion similar to a human neurodevelopmental disorder to understand how brain regions important for memory are affected. We discuss the methods we use in mice to study a memory region called the hippocampus and talk about how our research might lead to new treatments for neurodevelopmental conditions.

VKC Researcher:
Alan Lewis, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Neurology

Interviewer: Leann Seañez, research assistant

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 2:

Rates of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) have increased, and prenatal opioid exposure is thought to have profound effects on the developing nervous system and lead to long-term impairments in functioning, potentially including increased rates of educational and developmental disabilities. This research examines whether preschool-aged children with and without NOWS differ in neural and behavioral indicators of cognitive control and evaluates the extent to which associations between NOWS and cognitive control persist.

VKC Researcher:
Autumn Kujawa, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology and Human Development

Interviewer: Courtney Taylor, M.Div., Director of Communications, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 1:

Community participation is important for family well-being but many families of autistic children report more difficulties and more negative experiences with recreational activities. The Serenade Parent-Child Music Class Program is specifically designed to support neurodiverse children and families during the classes, as well as provide parenting support through home musical activities. In this mixed-methods study, researchers investigated the mechanisms by which parent–child music classes can support community participation and well-being.

Resources:
Serenade Parent-Child Music Class Program YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFcRe6UOi_veyfb3Hh3bacA

Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab:
https://www.vumc.org/music-cognition-lab/

VKC Researchers:
Miriam Lense, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Otolaryngology, Co-Director Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab

Interviewer: Courtney Taylor, M.Div., Director of Communications, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

The Promise of Discovery Season 2, Episode 8:

The Tennessee Disability Services Study surveyed more than 3,000 individuals with disabilities, family members, educators, providers, agency staff, and health care workers in TN. Questions examined what matters most to disability and professional communities across the state, how they currently find needed information, and solicited their recommendations for making this process easier. Responses are informing recommendations for addressing enduring needs related to accessing information and services that enable people with disabilities to flourish.

View transcript at: https://vkc.vumc.org/assets/files/transcripts/PromiseDiscovery_S2Ep08.txt

VKC Researchers:
Erik Carter, Ph.D., Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair and Professor of Special Education; Co-Director, VKC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VKC UCEDD)

Elise McMillan, J.D., Co-Director, VKC UCEDD; Director of Community Engagement and Public Policy; Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Emily Lanchak, M.Ed., Educational Consultant, Transition Tennessee

The Promise of Discovery Season 2, Episode 7:

This episode features a discussion of the need for meaningful therapies in Rett syndrome (RTT), and highlights the Lavender™ study, a phase 3, 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the drug trofinetide in 187 young females, ages 5 to 20, with Rett syndrome. Investigators discuss public, top-level results of the potential first-of-its-kind drug to treat the symptoms of RTT, and share the hope that this trial paves the way for other successful trials in RTT and related disorders.

VKC Researchers:

Jeffrey L. Neul, M.D., Ph.D., Annette Schaffer Eskind Chair and Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center; Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Pharmacology, and Special Education

Cary Fu, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology