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Research Contributions

Dissemination

IEA is an active site for ongoing research in the field of autism intervention and applied behavior analysis.  Master and Doctoral students have the opportunity to complete critical research in the field, under the mentorship of the Executive Director, Principal, and the Executive Director Emerita. Research is an important way in which IEA is contributing to the advancement of the science of applied behavior analysis and to the welfare of individuals with autism at large.  Although specific research projects build skills in the students at IEA, dissemination of research findings in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences ensures that many more individuals with autism benefit from the cutting-edge intervention at IEA.  Articles have been published in the areas of affect and social skill development as a result of research conducted at IEA.

Recent Dissemination Efforts

  • On Thursday, October 29, 2023, Drs. Eric Rozenblat, Dawn B. Townsend, Jessica Neu, and Jill Casey presented a workshop on Private and Public School Collaboration at Autism New Jersey’s 41st Annual Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Publications

  • Townsend, D. B., Brothers, K. J.,  MacDuff, G. S., Freeman, A., Fry, C., Rozenblat, E., DeFeo, D.,  Budzinska, A. Ruta-Sominka, I.,  Birkan, B., Hall, L. J., Krantz, P. J, & McClannahan, L. E. (2023). Alliance for Scientific Autism Intervention: System Components and Outcome Data from High-Quality Service Delivery Organizations. Behavior Analysis in Practice. 10.1007/s40617-023-00898-7.
  • Thomas, E. M., DeBar, R. M., Vladescu, J. C., & Townsend, D. B. (2020).  Comparing video modeling to video prompting to teach cooking to adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.  Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 40-52.
  • Ezzeddine, E., DeBarR., M., Reeve, S. A., & Townsend, D. B. (2020).  Using video modeling to teach play comments to dyads with ASD.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53, 767-781.
  • Rozenblat, E., Reeve, K., Townsend, D. B., Reeve, S.A., & DeBar, R. (2019).  Teaching joint attention skills to adolescents and young adults with autism using multiple-exemplars and script fading procedures. Behavioral Interventions, 34, 504-524.
  • Lora, C., Kisamore, A., Reeve, K., Townsend, D. B. (2020).  Effects of a Problem-Solving Strategy on the Independent Completion of Vocational Tasks by Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 175-187.
  • Argott, P. A., Townsend, D. B., & Poulson, C. L. (2017).  Acquisition and generalization of complex empathetic responses among children with autism.  Behavior Analysis in Practice, 10(2), 107-117.
  • Dequinzio,, Jaime & L. Poulson, Claire L. & Townsend, Dawn B. & Taylor, Bridget. (2015). Social Referencing and Children with Autism. The Behavior Analyst. 39. 10.1007/s40614-015-0046-1.
  • Dotto-Fojut, K. M., Reeve, K. F., Townsend, D. B., & Program, P. R. (2011). Teaching adolescents with autism to describe a problem and request assistance during simulated vocational tasks.  Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 826-833.
  • Marzullo-Kerth, D., Reeve, S. A., Reeve, K. F., & Townsend, D. B. (2011).  Using multiple-exemplar training to teach a generalized repertoire of sharing to children with autism.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 279-294.
  • Brim, D., Townsend, D. B., Poulson, C. L., & DeQuinzio, J. D. (2009).  Analysis of social referencing skills among children with autism.  Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 942-958.
  • Schrandt, J. A., Townsend, D. B., & Poulson, C. L.  (2009).  Teaching empathy skills to children with autism.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 42, 17-32.
  • Argott, P. A., Townsend, D. B., Sturmey, P. & Poulson, C. L. (2008).  Increasing the use of empathic statements in the presence of a non-verbal affective stimulus in adolescents with autism.  Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2, 341-352.
  • DeQuinzio, J. Townsend, D. B., & Poulson, C. L. (2008).  The effects of forward chaining and contingent social interaction on the acquisition of complex sharing responses by children with autism.  Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2, 264-275.
  • DeQuinzio, J., Townsend, D. B., Sturmey, P., & Poulson, C. L.  (2007).  Generalized imitation of facial models by children with autism.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 755-759.
  • Reeve, S. A., Reeve, K. F., Townsend, D. B., & Poulson, C. L. (2007).  Establishing a generalized repertoire of helping behavior in children with autism.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 123-136. 
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M., Krantz, P. J., McClannahan, L.E., & Poulson, C. L. (1998). Procedures for teaching appropriate gestural communication skills to children with autism.  Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 28, 535-545.MacDuff, 

Presentations

  • Cassidy, K., & Rozenblat, E. (2023). Applied Behavior Analysis:  A Positive and Ethical Approach to Changing Behavior. Workshop presented at the 13th Annual International Scentific Symposium. Gdansk, Poland.
  • Townsend, D. B., Rozenblat, E., Schreiber, P., Vener, S. M., Gillis, A., & Brothers, K. J. (2023).Developing Skillfu Clinicians:  Best Practices in Training and Supervision. Workshop presented at the Annual New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis Conference. Workshop presented at the 2023 Annual APBA Convention.
  • Townsend, D. B., Budzinska, A., Gillis, A., Brothers, K.J., & Rozenblat, E (2021). Ensuring Effective Dissemination and Advancement of Critical Variables in Autism Intervention Programs. Symposium presented at the 2021 Annual APBA Convention. 
  • MacDuff, G.S., Rozenblat, E, Townsend, D. B. (2021). Developing Effective Scientist Practitioners: A Necessity in Autism Intervention. Workshop presented at the 16th Annual New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis Conference.
  • Rozenblat, E, & Townsend, D. B. (2021). Teaching Joint Attention Skills to Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Using Multiple-exemplar Training and Script and Script-fading Procedures. Symposium presented at the 11th Annual International E-Conference in Gdansk, Poland.
  • MacDuff, G. S., Rozenblat, E., Cassidy, K., & MacDuff, J. (2019).  Shaping greater independence in the workplace using self-management strategies. Workshop presented at the 37th  Annual Autism New Jersey Conference. Atlantic City, NJ
  • Rozenblat, E., & MacDuff, G.S. (2018). Some important aspects in programming for adults. Workshop presented at the 36th Annual Autism New Jersey Conference. Atlantic City, NJ.
  • MacDuff, G. S., & Rozenblat, E. (2017). Using aba to help adults to be prepared for work in an “employment first” state. Workshop presented at the 35th Annual Autism New Jersey Conference. Atlantic City, NJ.
  • Rozenblat, E., Townsend, D. B., Reeve, K. F., Reeve, S. A., & DeBar, R. M. (2014). Teaching joint attention skills to adolescents and young adults with autism using multiple-exemplar training and script and script-fading procedures. Paper presented at the 40th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference. Chicago, Ill.
  • Townsend, D. B., Casey, J., & Rozenblat, E. (2014). Enhancing social interaction in older learners. Workshop presented at the 32nd Annual Autism New Jersey Conference. Atlantic City, NJ.
  • Martorana, L., Alban, A., Cassidy, K., & Townsend, D. B. (2013).  Teaching Adolescents with autism to ask questions during a conversation.  Poster presented at the 11th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.
  • Orr, J., Townsend, D. B., & D’Ateno, P. (2013).  The effects of a self-management treatment package on the on-task behavior of a young adult with autism.  Poster presented at the  11th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.
  • Rozenblat, E., Townsend, D. B., Reeve, K., Reeve S. A., & DeBar, R., M. (2013).  Teaching joint attention skills to adolescents and young adults with autism:  Using script and script-fading procedures.  Paper presented at the 11th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.
  • Callahan, E., Colligan, M., Rozenblat, E., & Townsend, D. B., (2012).  Teaching individuals with autism to engage in spontaneous social interactions using time-delay schedules, script and script-fading procedures, and reinforcement.  Poster presented at the 10th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.
  • Kusmierz, L., Biggins, M., Curts, W., Icker, A., & Townsend, D. B. (2012).  Teaching Skills in the workplace:  Tools and transfer of behavior change.  Discussion group presented at the 10th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.
  • Kusmierz, L., Biggins M., Icker, A., Curts, W., & Townsend, D. B. (2011). Teaching Adolescents with autism to engage in helpful interactions. Poster presented at the 9th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.
  • Kusmierz, L., Lora, C., Orr, J., Smith, K., & Townsend, D. B. (2011).  Teaching Adolescents with autism to attend to out of order signs.  Poster presented at the 9th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.
  • Martorana, L., Biggins, M., Doherty, K., Cubias, J., & Townsend, D. B. (2011).  Teaching Adolescents with autism to wait politely prior to an interaction.  Poster presented at the 9th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.
  • Rozenblat, E., Colligan, M., Peirano, B., Zink, E., Alcantara, D., & Townsend, D. B. (2011).  Teaching Learners with autism to describe various elements of pictures using scripts and script-fading procedures:  A pilot study.  Poster presented at the 9th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.
  • Townsend, D. B. (2011).  Building successful social interactions – Teaching polite, Helpful, and empathic responses to individuals with autism.  Invited paper presented at the ABAI Autism Conference, Washington, DC.
  • Townsend, D. B., LoCoco, A. Campora, D., & Conlon, K. (2010).  Teaching students to initiate for joint attention using scripts anda  script-fading procedure.  Poster presented at the 8th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.
  • Casey, J.. Kusmierz, L., & Rozenblat, E. & Townsend, D. B. (2010).  Promoting independence.  Workshop presented at the 28th Annual Conference of Autism NJ.  Atlantic City:  NJ.
  • Casey, J., Rozenblat, E., Kusmierz, L., & Townsend, D. B. (2010).  Increasing independence in learners with autism:  Building staff and student repertoires.  Workshop presented at the 8th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Rinn, I., Townsend, D. B., & Reeve, K. F. (2010).  Conditioning a tactile stimulus as a reinforcer.  Poster presented at the 36th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Antonio, TX,
  • Rozenblat, E., Colligan, M., Finizio, J., Lynch, J., & Townsend, D. B. (2010).  Teaching young learners with autism to remain engaged while playing the piano.  Poster presented at the 8th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute Conference on Autism Intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Casey, J., Colligan, M., Peck, L., Finizio, J., & Townsend, D. B. (2009).  Strategies for changing behavior that seems resistant to change.  Discussion group presented at the 7th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Disbrow, L., Braun, C., Lora, C., & Townsend, D. B. (2009).  Increasing verbal interactions during on-going activities.  Discussion group presented at the 7th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Kusmierz, L., Townsend, D. B., & Sealaus, J. (2009).  Teaching adolescents with autism to initiate a helpful interaction.  Poster presented at the 7th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • MacDuff, G. S. and Townsend, D. B. (2009).  Assessing staff and program competence: An emphasis on treatment outcomes.  Workshop presented at the 5th annual New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis conference, Piscataway, NJ.
  • Rinn, I., Reeve, K., & Townsend, D. B. (2009).  Conditioning a tactile stimulus as a reinforcer.  Poser presented at the 7th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Townsend, D. B. (2009).  Social competence:  A necessary set of skills for full integration.  Workshop presented at the 7th Annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Townsend, D. B. (2009).  Increasing the social competence of individuals with autism. Paper presented at the Evidence-Based Intervention for Teaching Individuals with Autism Conference, Newtown, PA.
  • Argott, P., Townsend, D. B., & Poulson, C. L. (2008).  Empathetic responding to affective stimuli:  Video and in vivo modeling along with prompting and reinforcement.  Paper presented at the 34th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL.
  • Besante, L., Kusmierz, L., Pereira, K. & Townsend, D. B. (2008).  Teaching students with autism to make reciprocal topic-related statements.  Poster presented at the 6th annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Casey, J., LoCoco, A., Peirano, B., Finizio, J., & Townsend, D. B. (2008).  Teaching students with autism to initiate to peers around objects of interest via incidental teaching.  Poster presented at the 6th annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Dotto, K., Reeve, K. F., Townsend, D. B., & Progar, P. (2008).  Using graduated guidance, scripts, and script fading to teach individuals with autism to approach an instructor, describe a problem, and request assistance in a simulated-vocational setting.  Paper presented at the Fourth Annual Conference of the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis, Piscataway, NJ.
  • Marzullo, D., Reeve, S. A., Townsend, D. B., & Reeve, K. (2008).  Teaching children with autism a generalized repertoire of offering to share.  Paper presented at the 34th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL.
  • Townsend, D. B. (2008).  Using collective data from individual behavior change programs to effectively evaluate an entire education program.  Paper presented at the 34th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL.
  • Townsend, D. B. (2008).  Discussant for T. M. Sidener (Chair).  Innovative approaches to increasing independent participation in the community for individuals with autism.  Fourth Annual Conference of the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis, Piscataway, NJ.
  • Townsend, D. B. (2008).  Discussant for S. A. Reeve (Chair).  Using research-based teaching strategies to increase social skills in individuals with autism in several different environments.  Fourth Annual Conference of the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis, Piscataway, NJ.
  • Townsend, D. B. (2008).  Critical measures for evaluating programs for individuals with autism.  Paper presented at the 6th annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Townsend, D. B., Casey, J., LoCoco, A., Kusmierz, L. (2008).  Facilitating the development of peer relationships among children and adolescents with autism.  Workshop presented at the 26th annual COSAC Issues in Autism Conference, Atlantic City, NJ.
  • Argott, P., Townsend, D. B., & Poulson, C. L. (2007).  Empathic responding to affective stimuli:  Video and in vivo modeling along with prompting and reinforcement.  Paper presented at the 5th annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Allerton, S., Finizio, J., LoCoco, A. (2007).  Teaching students with autism to remaining appropriately engaged in the presence of preferred items.  Poster presented at the 5th annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Casey, J., LoCoco, A., Kusmierz, L., & Townsend, D. B. (2007).  Facilitating the development of peer relationships among children and adolescents with autism.  Paper presented at the 5th annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • DeQuinzio, J.A., Townsend, D. B., Poulson, C. L. (2007).  Generalized imitation of facial models by children with auism.  Paper presented at the 33rd annual Association for Behavior Analysis conference, San Diego, CA.
  • Disbrow, L., Bellizzi, A., Fontana, J., Townsend, D. B. (2007).  Teaching students with autism to answer questions at the cashier.  Poster presented at the 5th annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Townsend, D. B. (2007).  Private educational programs for individuals with autism:  Why do they exist and what program components are critical?  Paper presented at the Fall Conference of the National Institute for People with Disabilities of New Jersey.  Hackensack, NJ.
  • Argott, P., Townsend, D. B., Sturmey, P., & Poulson, C. L. (2006).  Increasing the use of empathy statements in the presence of non-verbal affective stimuli in adolescents with autism.  Paper presented at the 32nd annual Association for Behavior Analysis conference, Atlanta, GA.
  • DeQuinzio, Townsend, D. B., & Poulson, C. L.  (2006).  Teaching a generalized sharing repertoire to children with autism.  Paper presented at the 32nd annual Association for Behavior Analysis conference, Atlanta, GA.
  • Schrandt, J.A., Townsend, D. B., & Poulson, C. L. (2006).  Using pretend play to teach empathy skills to children with autism.  Paper presented at the 32nd annual Association for Behavior Analysis conference, Atlanta, GA.
  • Townsend, D. B. (2006).  Addressing the communication needs of students with autism: Defining skills to target and procedures to affect change.  Invited paper presented at the Autyzm:  Dorosli I dzieci – jak im pomoc efektywnie Conference, Krakow, Poland.
  • Townsend, D. B., Besante, L., Farrell, D., Disbrow, L. (2006).  Teaching students with autism to initiate a change in topic during conversation.  Paper presented at the 4th annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention.  Princeton, NJ.
  • Besante, L. E., Peirano, B., Johnson, A., Dunn, L., & Townsend, D. B. (2005).  Teaching students with autism to spontaneously greet others.  Poster presented at the 3rd annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention, Princeton, NJ.
  • Brown, J. L., Townsend, D. B., Cohen, M., & Reeve, S. A. (2005).  Training models panel presentation.  Panel presented at the 1st annual conference of the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis, New Brunswick, NJ.
  • LoCoco, A., Casey, J., Marzullo, D., & Townsend, D. B. (2005).  Teaching students with autism to throw items away.  Poster presented at the 3rd annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention, Princeton, NJ.
  • Bura, L. E., & Townsend, D. B. (2004).  Comparing activity schedules to verbal instruction when teaching face washing to children with autism.  Poster presented at the 2nd annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention, Princeton, NJ.
  • Giardino, S., Casey, J., Marzullo, D., & Townsend, D. B. (2004).  Systematic programming for increases in peer interaction.  Workshop presented at the 2nd annual Princeton Child Development Institute conference on autism intervention, Princeton, NJ.
  • Brim, D., Townsend, D. B., & Poulson, C. L. (2003).  Analysis of social referencing in children with autism.  Paper presented at the 29th annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Francisco, CA. 
  • DeQuinzio, J., LoCoco, A., Pane, F., & Townsend, D. B. (2003).  Using incidental teaching to teach language, social, and academic skills.  Workshop presented at the 1st annual PCDI conference on autism intervention, Princeton, NJ.
  • Reeve, S. A., Reeve, K. F., Poulson, C. L., & Townsend, D. B. (2003).  Formulating a generalized repertoire of helping behavior in children with autism using a video modeling training package.  Paper presented at the 29th annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Francisco, CA.
  • Giardino, S. L., Bura, L., Cheselka, J., Kallini, M., & Buffington (Townsend), D. M. (2002).  Using activity schedules to teach skills and structure time at home for children with autism.  Workshop presented at the 20th annual COSAC conference:  Issues in Autsim 2002:  Twenty Years of Progress, Atlantic City, NJ.
  • Filippone, H. M., Buffington (Townsend), D. M., DeGraaf, K., Pane, F., Naporano, L. (2001).  Teaching strategies that promote interaction between children with autism and their peers.  Workshop presented at the 19th annual COSAC conference:  Issues in Autism 2001:  A lifetime of Support, Atlantic City, NJ.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M., Giardino, S., DeQuinzio, J., Pane, F., & DeGraaf, K. (2000).  Transitioning students with autism into general education settings.  Workshop presented at the 18th annual COSAC conference:  Issues in Autism 2000:  A New Direction, Atlantic City, NJ.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M., Reeve, S. A., Bura, L., Farrell, D., LoCoco, A., & Filippone, H., (2000).  Teaching strategies that promote increased interaction between children with autism and their siblings.  Workshop presented at the 18th annual COSAC conference:  Issues in Autism 2000:  A New Direction, Atlantic City, NJ.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M. (1999).  Starting and running an autism center:  Issues and problems in IEA’s development.  Panel presentation at the 25th anniversary annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M. (1999).  Methods for developing and expanding language repertoires in children with autism.  Invited paper presented at the QSAC March 99 Chapter Meeting, Forest Hills,  NY.
  • Fenske, E., Buffington (Townsend), D. M., Young, J., & Djoulia, E. (1999). Transitioning children with autism to public schools:  Obstacles and issues.  Panel presented at the 25th  anniversary annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL.
  • Brim, D., Becker, D. R., LoCoco, A., Poueymirou, A., & Buffington (Townsend), D. M. (1998).  Teaching children with autism to initiate social interaction using photographic  activity schedules and language master prompts.  Poster presented at the annual 1998 COSAC Conference:  Issues in Autism, A Time of Renewal, Long Branch, NJ.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M. (1998).  What is Applied Behavior Analysis?  Invited paper presented at the NJSEAA Seminar:  Perspectives on Autism, Park Ridge, NJ.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M. (1998).  Teaching spontaneous language to children with autism:  In and out of the classroom.  Invited paper presented at the QSAC first annual conference:  Innovations in applied behavior analysis for children and adults with autism,    Flushing, NY.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M. (1998).  Increasing spontaneous communication in children with Autism:  Methods of teaching nonverbal and verbal communication.  Paper presented at the NSSA 2nd annual conference:  Effective intervention in autism, Uniondale, NY.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M. (1998).  Increasing interaction between children with autism and their siblings through home programming.  Paper presented at the 24th annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Orlando, FL.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M., Poulson, C. L., Krantz, P. J., & McClannahan, L. E. (1997).  Procedures for teaching gestural communication skills to children with autism.  Poster presented at the ninth annual symposium on Behavioral Research in Developmental Disabilities, Queens College, Flushing, NY.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M. (1997).  Procedures for teaching appropriate gestural communication skills to children with autism.  Invited paper presented at the third annual conference of the Foundation for Educating Children, Purchase, NY.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M., Poulson, C. L., Krantz, P. J., & McClannahan, L. E. (1996).  Procedures for teaching appropriate gestural communication skill to children with autism.  Paper presented at the 22nd annual convention of the Association for  Behavior Analysis, San Francisco, CA.
  • Buffington (Townsend), D. M., Poulson, C. L., Krantz, P. J., & McClannahan, L. E.  (1996).  Procedures for teaching appropriate gestural communication skills to children with autism.  Paper presented at the 14th Annual COSAC Conference, New Brunswick, NJ. ∫

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Exciting News!

We are happy to report a new journal article publication in Behavior Analysis in Practice on System Components and Outcome Data from High‑Quality Service Delivery Organizations. This article is the result of the collaboration of the ASAI programs employing the systems initially deveoped by our mentors, Dr. Patricia Krantz and Dr. Lynn McClannahan.