Zachary E. Warren

Zachary E. Warren, Ph.D., is a Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Special Education at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He serves as Director of the Division of Developmental Medicine, Executive Director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD), and Director of Autism Research at the Department of Pediatrics and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. He also holds leadership roles as Autism Research Registry Faculty Director and Deputy Director of Community Engagement at the Frist Center for Autism & Innovation.

Education:

• B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy, The College of William and Mary
• M.S. in Clinical Psychology, University of Miami
• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Miami
• Clinical Psychology Internship, Children's Hospital Boston / Harvard Medical School
• Fellowship in Genetics and Developmental Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina

Dr. Warren's research is centered on early detection and intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with a strong emphasis on developing technological applications for assessment and intervention. His work includes pioneering tele-health tools for remote ASD screening and diagnosis, significantly expanding access to care. He leads the CDC-funded Tennessee Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, tracking ASD prevalence and trends across the state.

His recent research, as reflected in publications, demonstrates a clear trajectory toward digital health innovation in autism care, focusing on scalable, technology-driven solutions for early identification and intervention. This includes leveraging virtual systems and intelligent tools to improve diagnostic accuracy and accessibility, particularly in underserved communities.

Scientific and Institutional Leadership:

• Principal Investigator, CDC Tennessee ADDM Network
• Executive Director, TRIAD
• Director, Autism Clinical Services
• Faculty Director, Autism Research Registry
• Deputy Director of Community Engagement, Frist Center for Autism & Innovation

Dr. Warren actively mentors trainees through programs like LEND and TRIAD training initiatives. He oversees substantial research grants, particularly from the CDC, to support population-level autism surveillance and intervention development. His work bridges clinical practice, research, and community engagement, aiming to translate scientific findings into real-world services.

He is a key figure in the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) and leads multiple research cores and clinical services within the Division of Developmental Medicine. His team at TRIAD integrates psychologists, clinicians, engineers, and data scientists to develop and test innovative autism interventions.