Shuting Zheng, Ph.D., BCBA, is a developmental scientist and board-certified behavior analyst with expertise in assessment and behavioral treatment for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder. 

Dr. Zheng’s research interest has developed around the overarching theme of understanding developmental heterogeneity in autism and treatment individualization for individuals with autism. Specifically, her current research program focuses on improving the application and the design of behavioral measures by understanding the influence of individual characteristics (e.g., biological sex, cognitive and language abilities, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status) on the measurement of autism symptoms and associated challenges, as well as identifying risk and resilience factors (both at the individual and contextual levels) of psychological well-being and functional outcomes in autistic individuals through qualitative and quantitative investigations of their everyday experience.

Anusha Sharma, B.S., is a clinical psychology researcher with a strong foundation in personality science, emotion regulation, and mental health intervention among youth and young adults. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Neuroscience, with a minor in Education, from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, graduating cum laude. Her research interests include personality pathology, affective processes, and developmental disorders, with a growing focus on autism spectrum disorder. She is currently engaged in autism research, contributing to projects that examine emotional regulation and behavioral patterns in neurodivergent populations. Her previous work has explored the role of narcissistic traits in academic feedback and the structure of within-person emotion networks using ecological momentary assessment.

Beyond research, Sharma brings extensive clinical and outreach experience through her work in grief counseling centers, primary care practices, and campus wellness programs, where she has supported diverse populations through direct service and psychoeducation. She has presented her research at national conferences and was awarded the Murchison Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship. Sharma plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with the goal of advancing inclusive, evidence-based mental health care for both neurotypical and neurodivergent populations.

China is dedicated to understanding and improving mental health for autistic individuals. Together with the Zheng Lab, she aims to develop effective strategies for measuring mental health related outcomes in autistic individuals to better evaluate interventions and development, with a particular emphasis on integrating strengths-based and community-based participatory approaches into her research. 

Ying Yang is a doctoral student in the Combined School/Clinical Child Psychology program at UT Austin. She holds a B.S. in Economics from Zhejiang University, an M.A. in Economics of Education from Fudan University, and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Psychology from UC Berkeley. Her research interests focus on unpacking the mechanisms of developmental psychopathology, with a particular emphasis on Autism. She is also interested in evaluating interventions and identifying mediators and moderators. Outside of work, she loves meditation, hiking, and cooking soups for family and friends.