In this webinar, which will take place on May 30, 2024 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, Dr. Pierce will review how eye tracking works to reveal visual and auditory attention patterns in children with autism. She will present a body of work collected at her Center across the past 15 years that showcases the versatility of eye tracking as a tool that can not only support accurate diagnoses but also make predictions about current and future symptom severity. Moreover, Dr. Pierce will explore how eye tracking holds promise as a tool for tailoring treatments and monitoring their effectiveness. Dr. Pierce will also discuss initiatives aimed at delineating subtypes within toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), paving the way for precision medicine approaches. Through new studies at her Center, Dr. Pierce will consider the intricate relationship between eye tracking profiles and early brain development, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of autism research and clinical practice.

Who is Karen Pierce?

Karen Pierce, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department Neurosciences and Co-Director of the UCSD Autism Center of Excellence who has been engaging in clinical neuroscience research for the past 20 years. Her early detection approach that focuses on mobilizing pediatricians, called the Get SET Early model, has identified thousands of toddlers with ASD and other developmental issues around the 1st birthday and has resulted in rapid treatment access. Using eye tracking and brain imaging technology within this early-detected population, Dr. Pierce’s work has revealed unique patterns of eye gaze and brain activity that points to early biomarkers and helps elucidate the behavioral and biological heterogeneity of ASD. Dr. Pierce has been invited as a keynote speaker on the topic of autism at both national and international conferences and her work is published in high-impact journals such as JAMA Pediatrics, as well as highlighted in the public media including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine. Dr. Pierce’s contributions to autism research has been acknowledged by several awards and recognitions including a NIH Merit Award, US Department of Health and Human Services IACC Top 20 Research Paper distinction, and the San Diego Health Hero Award.

Register in advance for this webinar.