Seattle Children's Innovative Technologies Lab
Using Technology to Improve the Lives of Children
Seattle Children’s Innovative Technologies Lab (SCITL, pronounced like the candy Skittles), directed by Dr. Frederick Shic, is dedicated to using, advancing and developing everyday technologies for improving the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Our work focuses on both theoretical and applied advances that will help disconnected individuals connect with others.
SCITL’s mission is to bring radical, state-of-the-art, transformative technologies into everyday use to improve diagnostic precision, advance novel therapies and better understand mechanisms of change throughout an individual’s lifespan. SCITL is committed to supporting research that engages a diverse population of participants and staff.
Areas of work include biomarker development – primarily using eye tracking and near infrared spectroscopy – to track the effects of treatment, understand developmental and behavioral heterogeneity and predict clinical outcomes both concurrently and prospectively.
We are also developing innovative technologies including mobile apps, video games, robots, smart toys and virtual reality systems to enable next generation sensing and therapeutics.
Frederick Shic, PhD
Frederick Shic, Professor, CCHBD, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics. Dr. Shic investigates the mechanisms, markers, and developmental processes associated with autism and other neuropsychiatric conditions using neurobehavioral techniques (eye tracking), neurophysiological techniques (functional near infrared spectroscopy), and technology-enhanced behavioral paradigms involving mobile applications, social robots, and video games.
Frederick Shic, PhD, is a Professor at University of Washington and a Principal Investigator at Seattle Children's Research Institute. Dr. Shic's current research interests include applications of eye-tracking and neuroimaging techniques (e.g. near infrared spectroscopy and magnetic resonance spectroscopy) to the study of the social and cognitive development in infants, toddlers, and children with autism, and the exploration of new technologies and methodologies for enriching both our understanding of autism and the lives of children with autism and their families. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Shic completed an NIMH T32 training program in childhood neuropsychiatric disorders led by Drs. James Leckman and Elena Grigorenko. He then was an associate research scientist under Dr. Katarzyna Chawarska, director of the Infant and Toddlers Developmental Disabilities Clinic and the Yale Early Social Cognition Laboratory. Next, Dr. Shic led the Technology and Innovation Laboratory at Yale University's Child Study Center. Dr. Shic received his doctorate in computer science from Yale University and an undergraduate degree in engineering and applied sciences from the California Institute of Technology. During his graduate work, Dr. Shic developed computational and mathematical approaches for analyzing eye-tracking data, with a focus on what these techniques can tell us about the social and cognitive development of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Before that, Dr. Shic was software engineer at the Sony Interactive Studios of America, and, later, a researcher at the Huntington Medical Research Institutes, where he conducted research in 1H and 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), developing techniques for quantifying and visualizing brain metabolism and neurochemistry.
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Arya Ajwani
Arya graduated from the UW in 2023. She loves working with children and has an interest in therapy, which is why she majored in psychology and is planning to continue her education with a master's in child psychology in the future. Arya enjoys Korean culture, especially the language, music and dramas and received a minor in Korean. Out of everything she's learned through interning and working with the SCITL lab, Arya shares that she enjoys the data entry and scheduling the most, as she loves to know more about the participants in our study.
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Sarah Corrigan, MA
Psychometrist
Sarah Corrigan, Clinical Research Coordinator – Lead and Licensed Counselor. She received her BA in Psychology and MA in Experimental Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. Her undergraduate and graduate studies focused on social, personality, and developmental psychology. After graduating, Sarah worked as a case manager and educator for children with disabilities in early intervention for 6 years. Sarah joined Seattle Children’s in 2011 to focus on pediatric research, in particular Autism Spectrum Disorder work. Sarah’s favorite part of the WONDER study is being able to play and interact with babies and toddlers.
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Kelsey Dommer, MS
Clinical Research Scientist
Kelsey joined Seattle Children’s in 2017. After taking her first Developmental Psychology class, she came away unable to stop thinking about how “babies are geniuses”! This excitement of early development led her to focus primarily on language, learning, and how these processes vary in individuals. Her favorite part of the WONDER study is seeing families so happy to contribute to science.
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Katie Hegerberg, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Katie joined SCITL as a student intern while a junior at University of Washington majoring in Psychology and minoring in Data Science. She was recently hired as a Clinical Research Coordinator in SCITL supporting her interest in the cognitive development of children. She hopes to pursue a career in pediatric psychology. Outside the lab, Katie enjoys reading, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and playing with the Husky Marching Band.
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Meg Reninger
Clinical Research Coordinator
Meg’s first experience with Seattle Children’s was working as an intern on the WONDER study. After graduating from the University of Washington with a BS in Neuroscience, she officially joined Seattle Children’s Innovative Technologies Lab (SCITL) in 2022 as a research coordinator. She is thrilled to be back and continuing work on the WONDER study as well as other studies with SCITL. Meg’s favorite part of working on the SCITL team is the exposure to all aspects of research and how everyday brings a new opportunity to learn. Her research interests include the intersection between genetics and behavior.
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Lyza Roen
Student
Lyza is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in psychology and sociology. She joined the lab to explore her interest in child psychology and developmental topics. She is particularly excited about contributing to research focused on accessibility and interventions for developmental disabilities. Outside of the lab, Lyza enjoys crafting — working with clay, painting, and drawing — while listening to jazz with a cup of matcha. Her happy place is by the ocean, where she finds peace and comfort.
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Jenny Skytta, MS
Research Manager
Jenny received a BA in Psychology and an MS in Information Management – Data Science from the University of Washington. With over 15 years of experience spanning research, data analytics and operational leadership, she is dedicated to advancing health equity and championing early ASD diagnosis. Her background includes harm-reduction research for chemical dependency and she brings a lifelong passion for intersectional equity to her work — committed to evidence-based solutions that empower neurodiverse individuals and diverse communities.
Michelle Soledad
Clinical Research Coordinator
Michelle joined Seattle Children’s in January 2022 after working as a medical assistant at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. She graduated with a BS in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from Seattle University in 2020. She hopes to become a physician associate and provide care to underserved communities. She is very excited to learn more about early development as well as meet and work with all our WONDER study families and babies.
Hope Willis
Clinical Research Coordinator
Hope joined Seattle Children’s in 2020, after graduating with a BS in Neuroscience from the University of Washington. She is interested in childhood brain development and hopes to pursue a graduate degree in a related field in the future. Hope’s favorite part of the WONDER study is interacting with our study families and seeing babies in EEG caps during visits.
Kate Riley
Clinical Research Coordinator II
Kate joined Seattle Children’s Innovative Technologies Lab (SCITL) in March 2020 to work on the WONDER study. Currently, she’s pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Seattle University. She’s interested in counseling families with children with neurodevelopmental disorders and exploring the benefits of spending time in nature on mental health.
Jessica Benton
Clinical Research Coordinator II
After working as a behavior specialist in a range of settings, Jessica went on to receive her MA in Child Applied Psychology from the University of Washington. Jessica joined Seattle Children’s as a therapist intern for the OCD Intensive Outpatient Program and now works for the Seattle Children’s Research Institute on several projects including the WONDER study for SCITL.
Hayden Mayer
Clinical Research Coordinator
Hayden joined Seattle Children’s in August 2022, after working at a different Research facility for a year. She graduated in 2021 with a BS in psychology with a minor in honors interdisciplinary studies from Western Washington University. She is interested in childhood development and plans to pursue a graduate degree in a related field in the future. Hayden’s favorite part of the WONDER study is interacting with our study families and giving fun engagement gifts!
Maddy Grassy
Maddy is a junior at the University of Washington, majoring in Public Health and minoring in Global Health. She joined the lab because she is interested in the behind-the-scenes work of clinical research, and enjoys completing the variety of administrative tasks which are critical to keeping the study running. Outside of the office, Maddy loves playing ultimate frisbee, taking care of her plants, and photography.
Katie Hegerberg
Katie is a junior at University of Washington majoring in Psychology and minoring in Data Science. She joined SCITL because she is interested in the cognitive development of children and hopes to pursue a career in pediatric psychology. Outside the lab, Katie enjoys reading, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and playing with the Husky Marching Band.
Morgan Bowles
Morgan is a junior at the University of Washington working towards graduation in the class of 2023 with a BS in psychology and a minor in English: Writing. Morgan is currently on the gymnastics team at UW and enjoys competing for the school as well as creating relationships with teammates and younger fans. Post-college, Morgan plans on getting a PhD in general Psychology in hopes of becoming a hospital Psychologist. Working with the Seattle research institute is important to Morgan because it is one of the first stepping stones in her career path and allows for hands on work with data, and analysis of the cognitive development of children.
Kyndal Waldo
Kyndal is a freshman at the University of Washington majoring in Psychology. She has experience working with children with disabilities and is hoping to pursue a degree in Child Clinical Psychology after her undergraduate degree. Kyndal has a specific interest in working with children with ASD and other developmental / psychological differences. As an intern, Kyndal is excited to begin involvement in developmental and child research at the SCITL Lab.
Aryaman Gala
Aryaman is a senior majoring in Neuroscience. He is interested in eye tracking to identify neural markers of ASD and the analytical methods used to map social brain development. Aryaman previously work in the Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation Design Lab where he applied computational and statistical techniques to investigate the changes in neural activity in response to optogenetics. Aryaman’s future include pursing graduate studies in Computational Neuroscience with the goal of integrating technological faculties with Neuroscience to further understand and address neurological disorders.
Mia Nguyen
Mia is a senior majoring in Psychology graduating from the University of Washington in the Spring of 2022. She is interested in studying and being involved in pediatric research examining child cognitive development. Mia’s future plans include pursing a graduate degree in psychology to ultimately work within the field of psychology.
Meg Reninger
Meg is a senior majoring in neuroscience, graduating in the spring of 2022. She was drawn to neuroscience because of its unique combination of biochemistry, biology, and psychology, as well as its applications to everyday life and how we understand ourselves. In her free time, Meg love reading and going to bookstores. As an intern, Meg enjoys that each day looks a little different. Somedays she helps with participant meetings and data collection, and others she gets to see the behind-the-scenes administrative side of clinical research.
Tyler Reynolds
Tyler is a junior at UW, majoring in Public and Global Health and plans to become a physical therapist. In the lab, Tyler enjoys the behind-the-scenes aspects, such as data entry and preparing the materials for upcoming visits, as it reminds him of the scientific research he does for his major and feels fulfilling.
Anika Ajwani
Anika is a sophomore at the University of Washington majoring in psychology and minoring in American Sign Language. Her hobbies include bouldering, gardening and reading. Anika joined SCITL in hopes to expand her knowledge on research methods in psychology as it applies to children with developmental disabilities. Anika hopes to pursue a career in speech-language pathology with a focus on pediatric therapy.
Elizabeth Qin
Elizabeth is a senior at Interlake High School. She plans on studying cognitive science or psychology on a pre-med path in college. Her passions include working with kids and learning about cognitive development, which is why she joined SCITL. Outside the lab, Elizabeth works at Panera Bread and enjoys hiking, wrestling and reading.