Suma Suswaram, Ph.D.
Pronounced as: sue-ma seuss-wuh-rumÂ
As a researcher, I am committed to advancing equity in healthcare for autistic individuals across the lifespan using the socio-ecological model of health. I employ multimodal methodologies to understand autistic individuals' and their families' experiences when interacting with healthcare and develop programs to meet the needs of communities. In my work, I recognize the value of translational science and prioritize the use of community-based and interdisciplinary research to accurately understand the complex interplay between developmental science and cultural variability. The long-term goal of my programmatic research is to build culturally-appropriate programs, identify sustainable pathways to move evidence into practice, and inform policies at systemic levels to support underserved communities.
