Our Team
Meet the dedicated researchers and staff behind the SHARE Study. Our team brings together expertise in developmental psychology, neuroscience, public health, and lived experience.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Emily Hotez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine & Fielding School of Public Health
Research Director, UC-LEND Program
Dr. Emily Hotez (she/her) is the director of the SHARE study and a professor and researcher at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and Fielding School of Public Health. She also serves as the Research Director for the UC-LEND program, which trains future leaders in neurodiversity.
She conducts both national and international studies focused on supporting the health, well-being, and long-term thriving of autistic people of all ages. Dr. Hotez’s research is grounded in partnership—she works closely with autistic people, families, and communities to ensure that research reflects their needs, goals, and lived experiences.
As the sister of an autistic adult, this work is both personally and professionally meaningful to her. Dr. Hotez has a Ph.D. in developmental psychology. In her free time, she likes traveling, reading, and exploring Los Angeles!
Researchers:
Graduate & Postdoctoral Researchers
Beverly Yang
Yixin (Beverly) Yang (she/her) is a Ph.D. student studying in Mental and Psychiatric Epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Her research focuses on mental health, health disparities, and clinical outcomes, with an emphasis on population-based psychiatric epidemiology.
She has contributed to research on disorders of gut–brain interaction, mental health disparities, and patient education, with publications in peer-reviewed journals. She is particularly interested in learning from the SHARE Lab’s community-partnered, strengths-based research approach that centers autistic individuals’ lived experiences and supports long-term well-being.
Lanxin Song
Lanxin Song (she/her) is a PhD candidate in Epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and a Graduate Researcher at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. Her research interests include environmental epidemiology and reproductive & developmental health.
For the SHARE study, Lanxin helped operationalize REDCap surveys, set up SOP, and train student researchers in study protocols. She is excited to be part of the SHARE team and to contribute to research that supports the well-being of autistic individuals and their families.
Itay Ricon-Becker
Itay Ricon-Becker, PhD (he/him) is a biobehavioral scientist whose work in social genomics examines how social and behavioral factors shape gene expression relevant to immune function, inflammation, and long-term physical and mental health.
He recently completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Semel Institute and holds a PhD in Psychoneuroimmunology, with expertise in clinical trials, transcriptomics, RNA-seq analysis, and longitudinal biomarker research.
As a collaborator with the SHARE Lab, Itay supports the use of TASSO devices for minimally invasive, at-home dried blood spot collection. This approach makes biological sampling more accessible and participant-friendly, in keeping with the lab’s community-partnered, strengths-based research.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Adithi Nayak
Adithi (she/her) is a fourth year Molecular, Cell, & Developmental Biology major. Her volunteer experiences supporting autistic youth and working in cardiology inspired her interest in investigating how chronic stress influences cardiometabolic health in neurodivergent populations.
Through the SHARE-Bio study, she is excited to contribute to neuroaffirming research that advances the understanding of the connections between stress and physical health in autistic adolescents and young adults. In the future, Adithi hopes to pursue a career as a pediatric cardiologist, providing research-informed, compassionate clinical care to improve long term health outcomes for children and families.
Tanvi Deshmukh
Tanvi (she/her) is a third-year psychobiology major interested in the intersection between physiology and mental health in neurodivergent populations. She hopes to become a physician in pediatric psychiatry, serving children and families in underserved communities. She is excited to contribute to the SHARE study to interact with patient populations and learn about societal effects on health!
Grace En-Tsz Lee
Grace is a third-year Psychobiology major. Her research interests include adolescent development, social support, and the ways in which social and environmental experiences influence health and well-being. Her previous research experience in developmental neuroscience has strengthened her interest in understanding how biological and social factors interact to shape development.
She is excited to be a part of the SHARE Lab and to further develop her skills in participant-based research while learning more about social determinants of health. In the future, Grace hopes to pursue a career in healthcare and contribute to research that improves health outcomes and quality of care.
Veronica Espinoza
Veronica (she/her) is a fourth-year Psychobiology student with a minor in Global Health. She would like to become a Physician Assistant specializing in Psychiatry or Emergency Medicine to serve underserved communities. Her research interests are in mental health, women’s health, and their intersections with social determinants of health. She is most excited about interacting with participants and learning about how societal pressures impact neurodivergent health.
Kathleen Hue
Kathleen (she/her) is a first-year Public Health major. Her research interests include health disparities, pediatrics, and mental health. She hopes to become a physician and combine clinical care with research. She is extremely grateful to be in the SHARE lab and excited to contribute to research that promotes more informed care and support to autistic individuals and their families.
Gillian Labastida
Gillian (she/her) is a nurse and pre-med student. Her research interests focus on using evidence-based practice to transform the treatment of neurodivergent individuals in healthcare settings. Before returning to school, she spent six years as an ICU nurse and hopes to become a physician providing holistic, compassionate care in international and humanitarian settings. She is thrilled to bring her medical background to bridge the gap between clinical research and patient-centered support for the neurodivergent community.
Michael McLean
Michael (he/him) is a fourth-year Psychology major interested in how co-regulation and social treatments can improve outcomes for anxiety and trauma. Before UCLA, he worked in entertainment, as a bookkeeper, and as a massage therapist for over 10 years. He hopes to get a PhD in Clinical Psychology and become a neuropsychologist. He is excited to bring storytelling and a trauma-informed mindset to building community around autism research!
Andrea Reji
Andrea (she/her) is a third-year Psychobiology major with a minor in Global Health. Her research interests focus on mental health and the effects of stress on the brain. She aspires to become a physician, with a commitment to serving underserved communities and building long-term relationships with her patients. Andrea is especially passionate about contributing to research that promotes neurodiversity-affirming practices and improves quality of life.
Josie Rose
Josie (she/her) graduated from UCLA in 2025 with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology. Her research interests focus on mental health, especially in under-researched populations. She hopes to become a physician and establish continuity of care with her future patients. She is most excited about contributing to research that provides clarity and understanding to the autistic community, caregivers, and providers.
SHARE Lab Alumni
Laura Wang
Laura (she/her) is a fourth-year psychology major with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. She is interested in studying adverse childhood experiences, emotion regulation, and the health effects of social support. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. to become a clinical psychologist serving children and families. She is extremely grateful to be in the SHARE lab and excited to learn about social determinants of health.
David Villalpando
David (he/him) is a fourth-year Psychobiology major. His research interests focus on the connection between stress, neurobiology, and mental health in neurodivergent populations. He hopes to become a Physician Assistant and work in a clinical setting where he can build lasting relationships with patients. He is most excited to be part of the SHARE Study because it aligns with his goals of understanding how health and behavior intersect.
Josh Netsawang
Josh (he/him) is a fourth-year Psychology major interested in the intersection between stress and health outcomes, as well as mental health in neurodivergent communities. He plans to pursue his LMFT and become a psychotherapist. He is excited to contribute to the SHARE Study by developing accessible materials and learning from participants in ways that can help inform future research.