Save the Date for the 4th Annual ASF Day of Learning

On  March 30, 2017 , the Autism Science Foundation will hold its fourth annual Day of Learning, featuring the autism community's annual TED-style science conference. TED talks are thoughtful, 15-minute distillations of critical issues facing families, such as improving housing options for adults with autism, handling challenging sensory behaviors, improving communication between parents and teachers, and understanding autism's female protective effect.

The conference will feature the following talks:
  • Autism Research: Where Are We Now? - Dr. Wendy Chung (Simons Foundation)
  • Housing Options for Adults with Autism - Amy Lutz (EASI Foundation)
  • Improving Communication Between Parents of Children with Autism and Teachers - Dr. David Mandell (University of Pennsylvania)
  • Developing Clinical Biomarkers - Dr. James McPartland - (Yale University)
  • Understanding Modifiable Autism Risk Factors - Dr. Craig Newschaffer (Drexel University)
  • Handling Challenging Sensory Behaviors - Dr. Celine Saulnier (Emory University)
  • Understanding the Female Protective Effect - Dr. Donna Werling (University of California, San Francisco)
Stay tuned for registration information!
Apply Now for Undergraduate Summer Research Grants and Accelerator Grants

Undergraduate Summer Research Grants
We are currently accepting  applications for Undergraduate Summer Research Grants from highly qualified undergraduates interested in pursuing basic and clinical research relevant to autism spectrum disorder during the summer. Applications are due by February 13, 2017.

Awards of $3,000 will be made directly to the university sponsoring the research. Of this, the university must pay $2,500 directly to the student as a stipend; $500 shall be used for lab expenses and indirect university costs.

Research Accelerator Grants
We are currently accepting applications for Research Accelerator Grants. These grants are designed to expand the scope, speed the progress or increase the efficiency of active autism research grants. Applications are due by April 3, 2017.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available to enhance, expand and enrich grants currently funded by other sources (including ASF). Staff salary may be covered by this award. 

In Case You Missed It: 2016 Year-End Research Summary
This Year in Autism Research: In a Family Way 

Dr. Alycia Halladay, Chief Science Officer of ASF, provides an in-depth review of last year's  scientific discoveries that highlighted findings in causes, understanding, and treatment of autism. Click here to read the summary, and click here to listen to it as a podcast.  This summary was  also shared on the Interactive Autism Network website .
Free Webinar with Dr. Mark Zylka on Monday, March 13, 2017
"Focusing on Candidate Epigenetically Regulated Genes to Study Gene/Environment"
Mark Zylka, PhD
Assistant  Professor in the Department of Cell & Molecular  Physiology and UNC Neuroscience  Center,  University of North Carolina, Chapel  Hill
Dr. Zylka will share recent research on the gene UBE3A, a key player in Angelman Syndrome, and fungicides as risk for autism. He will also include how shared pathways may play a key role in gene/environment interactions in autism.
Supported by the Escher Fund for Autism, Autism Speaks and the Autism Science Foundation

Panel discussion and comment by:  Valerie Hu, PhD, George Washington University
Moderated by: Mat Pletcher, PhD, Autism Speaks, and Alycia Halladay, PhD, Autism Science Foundation

Time will be allotted for an open question and answer period.

This webinar is free to join.  Click here to register.
Thank you!

Thank you to our strong community of stakeholders for your support of this year's Recipe4Hope campaign.  These funds will support pre- and postdoctoral fellowships and the Autism Sisters Project.

We'd like give a special thanks to the MacElroy family for sharing their story and being the face of this year's campaign in support of ASF and our mission to fund critical autism research.
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