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, Anusha 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. She plans to pursue a Masters in Social Work 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. 

Lydia Salbilla is a Clinical Research Associate in the Zheng Lab. Her research focuses on the neurodevelopment and social-emotional experiences of children and adolescents, especially those with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Lydia received her B.A in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, where she started in the Zheng Lab as an undergraduate research assistant. Lydia is interested in pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Outside of work, she volunteers as a CASA/GAL in Travis County & enjoys running & baking!

Isabella Reiser graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and dual minors in Criminology and German. Her academic and professional background reflects a strong dedication to clinical psychology, research, and mental health advocacy. During her undergraduate career, she worked as a research assistant in multiple laboratory settings; gaining experience in psychophysiological data collection, trauma studies, and pediatric anxiety research. Moreover, at the University of Heidelberg, Isabella completed an internship program where she supported refugee populations and observed therapeutic practices in psychosomatic, oncology, and eating disorder units. Beyond research, she served as a peer educator with COPE, the University of Miami's Counseling Outreach Peer Education program, where she promoted mental health awareness, connected students with counseling resources, and planned psycho-educational materials to help reduce stigma across campus. Looking ahead, Isabella aims to expand her expertise in psychology and pursue advanced training in the field. 

Jenni earned her B.S in psychology from Texas State University in 2025 and currently works as a Research Assistant in the lab. Her research interests include autism intervention, particularly the development of accessible, evidence-based supports that promote emotional regulation and functional outcomes for autistic youth. She is especially interested in culturally responsive and technology-informed approaches that expand access for underrepresented and underserved communities. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in a related field and hopes to study abroad to explore cross-cultural approaches to technology-based behavioral interventions.