Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC) Staff Biographies
Susan Daniels, Ph.D.
Acting DirectorAs Acting Director of Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC), Dr. Daniels provides management for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) and oversees strategic planning, policy, communications, operations and logistical planning activities to support the work of the committee. Dr. Daniels also serves as Executive Secretary of the IACC and its subcommittees. From 2008-2011 she served as Deputy Director of OARC, undertaking many initiatives to enhance the transparency and outreach of the IACC. Prior to that, Dr. Daniels was a Health Scientist Administrator at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), where she worked on policy and communications for the infectious disease and biodefense research programs, and managed a portfolio of research training, diversity and conference grants. Dr. Daniels also previously worked at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) with the Neurodegeneration Program, analyzing Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease research grant portfolios, assisting grant applicants, monitoring progress on the Parkinson's disease research strategic plan, and working collaboratively with stakeholder groups to plan scientific and strategic planning meetings and events. Prior to coming to NIH, Dr. Daniels was a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellow and consultant at the National Academy of Sciences. She received her Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology from Brandeis University. Her research focused on the neurobiology and genetics of the sensory nervous system's response to environmental stimuli.
Elizabeth Baden, Ph.D.
Policy AnalystDr. Baden serves as a Policy Analyst for OARC, where she supports the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee through research and analyses for Strategic Plan updates, Portfolio Analysis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research and other programmatic and reporting activities. Previously, she was an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Congressional Fellow. As a Fellow, Dr. Baden worked in the office of a U.S. Senator on healthcare and small business issues, analyzing legislation and meeting with constituents and stakeholder groups. Prior to her fellowship experience, she earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. Dr. Baden's graduate and postdoctoral work focused on investigating causes of the rare protein folding disease immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis. While at Mayo, she also worked with the Professionalism and Bioethics Department on an initiative to gather community input to establish a DNA Biobank.
Cyrus Davani, B.A.
Scientific Program AnalystMr. Cyrus Davani serves as the scientific program analyst for OARC, providing management and administrative support for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. Before joining the NIMH, Mr. Davani worked directly with children and teenagers with developmental disabilities, especially those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While working at the Kennedy Institute of Catholic Charities and Access Ability Med Care, he planned treatment goals, developed life skills, and fostered an independent environment for children and teenagers in the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mr. Davani has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland - Baltimore Campus and is currently, pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins University.
Nicole Jones, B.B.A.
Senior Web DeveloperMs. Jones serves as the Web Developer for OARC where she develops, manages, and edits web content on the IACC web site. During her ten years of progressive information technology experience, she has contributed to successful web projects for both the public and private sector including sites for FannieMae (fanniemae.com), FreddieMac (freddiemac.com), the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (Healthy People 2010: Midcourse Review), and AOL (aolmedianetworks.com and internal sales portals for the company). She received a bachelor's in business administration (B.B.A.) in Information Systems Analysis and Design from Howard University as well as a Web Specialist certificate from Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland.
Miguelina Perez
Management AnalystMs. Perez is the OARC Management Analyst, providing management and administrative support for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. Before joining OARC, Ms. Perez served as Office Manager for the Brain Physiology and Metabolism Section of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), where she managed a lab of five full-time federal employees and 18 visiting fellows. During that time, she also served as the clinical coordinator responsible for recruiting patients for a brain imaging study of dopamine signaling in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Prior to her work in the Federal government, Ms. Perez held several positions with private organizations serving as an office administrator or providing administrative support. She is currently in the process of earning her bachelor's degree in English from the University of the District of Columbia. Ms. Perez hopes to pursue an MBA in organizational management in the future.
Sarah Rhodes, Ph.D.
Policy AnalystDr. Sarah Rhodes serves as a Policy Analyst, providing support to OARC and the IACC in various activities including analysis of autism research funding, tracking and communicating scientific advances in autism research, development of reports and documents, and responding to inquiries from Congress, government agencies, and public stakeholders. Prior to joining OARC, Dr. Rhodes spent five years in the NIMH Intramural program, first as a postdoctoral Visiting Fellow, and then as a Research Fellow. Her research was primarily focused on understanding the involvement of different brain regions in goal-directed behavior, which is affected in a range of neuropsychological and neurodevelopmental disorders including autism. During this time, Dr. Rhodes detailed twice at OARC, and was selected for a variety of NIH service positions including the Catalyst Editorial Board, Working Group on Women in Biomedical Careers, Women Scientist Advisors Committee, and Fellows Committee (FelCom). Dr. Rhodes holds a MA in (Biological) Natural Sciences from Cambridge University, and a PhD in Neuroscience from Cardiff University. Dr. Rhodes is a Senior Fellow of the Institute on Science for Global Policy, Editor of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) Washington Wire, and contributor to the AWIS Magazine.
Hope Sipocz, B.A.
Science Writer/EditorMs. Sipocz serves as the science writer/editor for OARC, where she supports the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee by preparing reports and other documentation on research advances in the field of autism. Prior to joining OARC, Ms. Sipocz was a writer/editor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), where she developed a variety of written materials for high-level USDA and APHIS officials, including correspondence, briefings, speeches, talking points, and technical reports/documents. While at APHIS, she also acted as APHIS' Publications Editor/Coordinator on two occasions, serving as the primary editor for all official agency publications. Prior to that, Ms. Sipocz worked as a technical writer/editor at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, developing strategic plans, reports, and information system documents, including user manuals and quick reference guides. She received a bachelor's degree in English from Shepherd University.