The Rutgers Board of Governors awarded the Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism to Vanessa Bal, Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), whose unique research emphasizes a life span perspective in the understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in adulthood. Dr. Bal has established herself as a scholar with a unique and specific focus on adults with autism, examining both biological and behavioral approaches that may be useful in screening and diagnostics. Her research emphasizes a multidimensional approach, looking at social communication, language, cognition and emotions in context of neurodevelopmental disorders in order to devise interventions that capitalize on individual strengths. She has served in working group leadership positions for the International Meeting for Autism Research and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Center and has over 20 awards and honors for her work. Dr. Bal’s accomplishments to date establish an impressive career trajectory as a high impact researcher who will energize and innovate the field and bring attention to the adult ASD population. Reception to Follow: Please RSVP at www.support.rutgers.edu/adultautismchair