Meet the Team

Dr Ryan Kellems PhD, Professor, McKay School of Education

Ryan has made significant contributions in the field of education, particularly in supporting students with disabilities during their transition from school to post-school life. Ryan is actively engaged in teaching and research, specializing in technology-based interventions for individuals with autism. He has been recognized for his contributions to the field, including receiving the Fulbright Scholar Award for his project on improving the quality of life for Hungarians with autism through technology-based interventions. You might say that Ryan has an affinity with water as he is a certified whitewater rafting instructor and an avid fisher. If he can catch it, he can eat it!

Dr Cade Charlton, Associate Professor, McKay School of Education

Cade was introduced to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Organizational Behavior Management as a freshman at Utah State University. With just enough knowledge to be dangerous, he worked with several private companies as an ABA service provider. Prior to completing the MBA program, Cade started working as a consultant with the Centers for the School of the Future where he fell in love with helping teachers adopt and implement better services for at risk students. Cade was excited to show his son the ‘The Legend of Zelda’ games, however, much to his horror the student soon surpassed the master.

Ema Dangerfield, Graduate Research Assistant

Hi! My name is Ema Dangerfield and I am a graduate student studying school psychology. During my undergraduate work in psychology, I was able to work with kids on the autism spectrum, and I’m excited to continue advancing research to help them. When I’m not doing research, I love to run, play the piano, hike, sing, and spend time with my friends and family.

Rachel Ortega, Graduate Research Assistant

My name is Rachel Ortega! I'm a graduate school psychology student and previously worked as a registered behavior technician in an early intervention clinic! I have a passion for working with students with disabilities and I love doing research related to that. I love to hike, run, spend time with my dog, and watch movies in my free time.

Maleah Bowen, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hi! My name is Maleah Bowen and I am a sophomore at BYU, majoring in Communication Disorders! I did two years of volunteer working special education classrooms when I was in high school and I loved it, which is why this specific research interests me so much. Special Education was also my second choice of major! I am from a small Utah town called Oakley, and love to spend time with my family, ride horses, watch sunsets, and go to the lake!

Kendall Roberts, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hello! My name is Kendall Roberts, and I am new to the team! I am applying to be in the communication disorders major, but I am very excited to work with this research, as I volunteered in a special education classroom in high school. I am from Huntington Beach, California, and I love soccer, playing the guitar, practicing my ASL, and especially spending time with my family!

Ava Hansen, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hi! My name is Ava Hansen, and I am major in Special Education at BYU. I grew up near a school for students ages 5-22 and have done a lot of volunteer work with the students there. I have also worked as a paraprofessional in a middle school which is where I fell in love with the idea of being a Special Education teacher! I love how genuine they are, how true they are to themselves, and how much joy they bring to those around them. I am from Riverton, Utah near Salt Lake City, and I love to dance, spend time outside, do puzzles, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family.

Alyssa Lowder, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hi y'all! My name is Alyssa Lowder, and I am a freshman at Brigham Young University, majoring in Special Education. I'm from Lubbock, Texas, and love to travel, shop, watch sports, and spend time with my family and friends. My interest in Special Education sparked in high school when I had the opportunity to coach the special Olympics basketball, track, and cheer teams for three years. I love interacting with individuals with disabilities as they bring such a bright light and energetic presence into my life. In the future, I hope to work for the special Olympics association and am strongly committed to using my knowledge and understanding to go through the adoption process in hopes of adopting a Down Syndrome child. I am excited to pursue my passion in Special Education and can't wait to explore how virtual reality can improve social collaboration for children with Autism in the research lab.

Greer Barker, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hi! My name is Greer Barker. I am currently studying special education. I chose special education because of my little brother. He has Down syndrome as well as autism and he is such a light to me and has taught very much. My dream is to work with special needs children as a BCBA. I love anything to do with the outdoors. My favorite activity is hiking and finding new beautiful places.

Ruby Ryan, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hi! My name is Ruby Ryan, and I am majoring in Psychology. I have done a lot of work in high school with special education classes, and I loved it so I'm so excited to be a part of this team to continue that work. I am from San Diego, California and I love to go to the beach, spend time with my friends and family, read and dance.

Erin Naylor, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hi! My name is Erin Naylor, and I am currently studying Special Education at BYU. I’m from Riverton, Utah, and I love spending time outdoors and with friends and family. I have always felt drawn to working with individuals with special needs and have grown up surrounded by individuals with special needs. My goal is to work with individuals with special needs as a BCBA. I currently work as a Registered Behavior Technician and love it! I’m excited to be on this research team and very interested in this research and excited to learn more about how virtual reality can help improve social interaction for individuals with autism.

Faculty Leads