Alycia Halladay is the Chief Science Officer for the Autism Science Foundation, where she oversees the scientific activities, grants, and initiatives of ASF.
The Autism Science Foundation focuses on investments in early career researchers to improve scientific discovery while training the next generation of scientists using cutting-edge technologies. These awards include a variety of mechanisms intended to support early career researchers as well as larger-scale projects such as the Autism Sisters Project, the Baby Siblings Research Consortium and the Alliance for the Genetic Etiologies of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Autism.
She also produces a weekly podcast aimed specifically at explaining scientific information to the public. Prior to joining ASF in 2014, she served as the Senior Director of Clinical and Environmental Sciences at Autism Speaks. There, she helped lead the “Early Access to Care” Initiative, which aimed to lower the age of autism diagnosis and improve access to evidence-based services. She also managed the environmental science portfolio and worked closely with events to communicate science to the public. She has authored over three dozen peer-reviewed papers in science journals. Alycia also serves as the secretary of the Board of Directors for the Phelan McDermid Syndrome Foundation, co-chairs the Research Workforce Development working group of the HRA and is a member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee of the NIH.
She received a PhD in biopsychology from Rutgers in 2001 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pharmacology and toxicology at Rutgers University in 2004. She still holds a faculty appointment at Rutgers. She has a 13-year-old daughter with ASD.