Registry Staff – University of Alabama Intellectual Disabilities Participant Registry

Director
	Dr. Fran Conners trained in experimental psychology and intellectual disability research with Douglas K. Detterman at Case Western Reserve University and spent two years as a postdoctoral research associate working on reading disability research with Richard K. Olson at the University of Colorado. She received a 5-year NIH FIRST award (R29) as an early career investigator to study phonological skills in children with intellectual disabilities (ID). Her main research interests are in language and cognition in individuals with ID, especially those with Down syndrome. She looks for areas of strength as well as areas of specific difficulty, how they impact higher-level cognitive/language function, and what implications there are for intervention. Her focus areas are in implicit processing, working memory, and reading. Dr. Conners teaches courses in research methods and intellectual disabilities. For more information on Dr. Conners' work visit her website at www.connerslab.ua.edu

Director

Dr. Fran Conners trained in experimental psychology and intellectual disability research with Douglas K. Detterman at Case Western Reserve University and spent two years as a postdoctoral research associate working on reading disability research with Richard K. Olson at the University of Colorado. She received a 5-year NIH FIRST award (R29) as an early career investigator to study phonological skills in children with intellectual disabilities (ID). Her main research interests are in language and cognition in individuals with ID, especially those with Down syndrome. She looks for areas of strength as well as areas of specific difficulty, how they impact higher-level cognitive/language function, and what implications there are for intervention. Her focus areas are in implicit processing, working memory, and reading. Dr. Conners teaches courses in research methods and intellectual disabilities. For more information on Dr. Conners' work visit her website at www.connerslab.ua.edu

Registry Coordinator
	Eric Cooks coordinates the University of Alabama Intellectual Disabilities Participant Registry. Eric did his undergraduate and master’s work at the University of Alabama where he received a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Communication Studies. Eric is the father of a six year old with Down syndrome, Isabella, and is especially interested not only in recruiting families for research but also in serving as a resource.

Registry Coordinator

Eric Cooks coordinates the University of Alabama Intellectual Disabilities Participant Registry. Eric did his undergraduate and master’s work at the University of Alabama where he received a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Communication Studies. Eric is the father of a six year old with Down syndrome, Isabella, and is especially interested not only in recruiting families for research but also in serving as a resource.

Registry Assistants
	Rachel Lawrence is from Peachtree City, Georgia and is currently a junior at the University of Alabama. She is a Biology and Psychology double major on the Pre-Physical Therapy track. In her spare time, she crochets and makes blankets for Project Linus, which is an organization that makes blankets for children that experience trauma. She also enjoys playing board games and card games with her friends, spending time with friends and family, and hanging out with her pets when she goes back home.
	Hayleigh Flores is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is currently a sophomore double-majoring in Biology and Psychology on the Pre-Medical tract. She spends time volunteering as a mentor to 2nd graders at a local elementary school, and she is also the assistant to the chapter president of her sorority. She enjoys being outdoors, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
	Ethan Lewis is a psychology major with a chemistry minor. He is originally from Homewood, Alabama. Ethan's research interests include cognitive and social development in children and adolescents.