Brinea M. Charles

Dr. Brinea M. Charles serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor at Lehigh University within the Special Education Program. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), she possesses extensive clinical expertise in assessing and treating severe problem behaviors among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Her academic credentials include:

• Post-doctoral Scholar, University of South Florida, Tampa
• Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Munroe-Meyer Institute
• M.A., Rutgers University
• B.A. in Psychology, Rutgers University

Dr. Charles' research program concentrates on three interconnected domains: developing safer methodologies for functional analysis of severe problem behaviors, advancing evidence-based treatments for aggression and self-injurious behaviors, and integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into behavior analytic practice. Her work directly addresses critical safety concerns in behavioral interventions while promoting equitable access to evidence-based care for neurodiverse populations.

Her professional trajectory combines clinical supervision roles with instructional development, having designed curriculum materials for both undergraduate and graduate Applied Behavior Analysis courses during her postdoctoral instructional scholarship. This dual focus bridges theoretical knowledge with practical clinical applications in special education contexts.