Aubyn C. Stahmer

Aubyn C. Stahmer, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis, and serves as Director of the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the UC Davis MIND Institute. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, she leads interdisciplinary teams in clinical care and research for neurodevelopmental conditions.

Dr. Stahmer earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder (1988) and her Ph.D. in Psychology from UC San Diego (1994). Her clinical training underpins her research-practice integration.

Her research centers on effective early intervention strategies for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with deep expertise in dissemination and implementation science. She pioneers adaptations of evidence-based interventions for community settings and low-resource areas, emphasizing parent coaching and naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBI). Her work consistently addresses health disparities through culturally responsive frameworks.

Recent publications (2018-2021) reveal three critical trends: (1) Neurodiversity-informed diagnostic practices that shift from deficit models, (2) Community-driven adaptations of ASD interventions through caregiver collaboration, and (3) Multi-level implementation strategies targeting systemic barriers in underserved populations. These themes reflect her commitment to equitable access and real-world impact.

Dr. Stahmer's contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors:

• Runner-Up Emergency Medicine Choosing Wisely Champion Team Member (2018)
• Princeton Lecture Series Fellowship (2016)
• Implementation Research Institute Fellow (2012)
• Valliant Knight Award for Collaborative Research (2011)
• RCHSD Employee of Excellence Award (2008)
• San Diego Autism Society Health Hero Award (2006)
• APA Dissertation Research Award (1993)

Her leadership in large-scale implementation trials—including Project ImPACT for Toddlers and multi-site cluster randomized studies—demonstrates sustained grant funding from NIH and foundation sources. While specific student advising isn't detailed, her role as Director involves mentoring junior researchers through the MIND Institute's training programs.

As Director of the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Dr. Stahmer oversees a multidisciplinary team of physicians, researchers, and clinicians conducting groundbreaking work in ASD intervention. Her lab focuses on community-partnered implementation research, with active projects examining cross-cultural service adaptation and implementation fidelity in diverse settings.