Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre
Advisory Committee
Professor Margot Prior is the Chair of the OTARC Advisory Committee, and the Patron of Autism Victoria. She is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Psychological Science at La Trobe University and a Honorary Professorial Fellow in the School of Behavioural Science at The University of Melbourne. She has been a researcher in the field of family and child development for more than 30 years, focusing in autism and learning difficulties in children. She has also been a Chief Investigator in the 20 year, longitudinal study of Australian children 'The Australian Temperament Project'. Professor Prior recently published a major review of early intervention practices for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (with J. Roberts), entitled "Autism: A Review of the Research to Identify the Most Effective Models of Practice in Early Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders".
View Professor Prior's profile or view Professor Prior's list of publications
Assoc Professor & Reader Cheryl Dissanayake is the Director of OTARC. She is an Associate Professor in Developmental Psychology at the School of Psychological Science at La Trobe University and an established researcher with a strong national and international reputation in autism research. She is a member of the Autism Victoria Professional Panel and Convenor of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Group, a reference group of the Autism Victoria Professional Panel. View Dr Dissanayake's profile.
Professor Tim Brown (DVC Research, La Trobe University)
Professor Brian McGaw (Dean, Faculty of Science, Technology & Engineering, La Trobe University)
Professor Robin Williams (Director of Alumni and Advancement, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University)
Professor David Finlay (Chair & Director, University Human Ethics Committee) is the Former Dean of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering at La Trobe University. He is an enthusiastic supporter of our centre and, as Dean, was a member of our Advisory Committee since it's inception. On his retirement as Dean (at the end of 2009) David agreed to remain on our Advisory Committee. He is an experimental psychologist with a particular interest in ASDs.
Mr Cliff Picton (La Trobe University Ombudsman) - Prior to taking up this position he was Associate Dean (International) in the Faculty of Health Sciences, and prior to that, Head of the School of Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University. As an academic in the School of Social Work, Dr. Picton has taught and researched in a number of areas including grief and loss, ageing, disability and adoption. He is a member of the Victorian Government's Ministerial Advisory Council of Senior Victorians. He has published a number of articles and books and has been a regular broadcaster on social issues over the past 35 years in Australia and Britain. View Mr Picton's profile. View Mr Picton's profile.
Professor Christine Bigby (School of Social Work and Social Policy) is a Professor and Reader in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University. Her research interests are in intellectual disability policy and practice and in particular issues associated with aging. She is the author of three books, the latest of which is "Planning and Support for People with Intellectual Disability: Issues for Case Managers and other Professionals" published by Jessica Kingsley and University of New South Wales Press in mid 2007. She is also editor of the journal "Australian Social Work". She has taken an active role in debate and analysis of disability policy, and for the last 2 years has convened the annual Roundtable of Intellectual Disability Policy.
View Dr Bigby's profile
Ms Cherie Green (Student Representative) is the Student Representative on the OTARC Advisory Committee. She is a PhD student working under the supervision of Dr Cheryl Dissanayake and Dr Danuta Loesch, and is investigating growth dysregulation in boys with Autistic Disorder. She previously worked at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute as a research assistant on the Autism Phenome Project.
Dr Catherine Maraffa (MBBS FRACP FRCPCH) (Senior Paediatrician; Royal Children's Hospital) has worked with children with a wide range of developmental disabilities, both physical and intellectual, over the last 20 years. She is the Deputy Director, Developmental Medicine at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, and Paediatrician to the Autism Assessment Team of the Integrated Mental Health Service. She has been in this position for 14 years. Previously, she was a Consultant Paediatrician at Central Middlesex Hospital, London, for a period of 6 years. Dr Marraffa is currently Chair of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Victorian State Committee (Paediatrics and Child Health Division) and has been in this position since 2004. She has co-authored several recent papers and book chapters on children with Autism and other related topics. View Dr Marraffa's Profile.
Dr Jacqueline Roberts is an Associate Professor at the University of Canberra, Faculty of Education, and the team leader responsible for content in the Australian Autism Education and Training Consortium (AAETC), which provides professional development for teachers and school leaders and for parents and carers of children with autism across Australiaas part of the Federal Government Helping Children with Autism package. Dr Roberts is also a Senior lecturer at the University of Sydney Faculty of Health Sciences and Brain Mind Research Institute. She has been contracted by FAHCSIA to manage the clinical evaluation of the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres (one in each state).
View Dr Roberts' profile.
Mr Oreste Pompetti is the father of a teenage daughter with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and has experienced both the challenges and rewards of having a child with autism. These have led to learning a different way of doing family life. Oreste is a qualified accountant and CPA, and formerly worked at La Trobe University in Finance and Research Services. Oreste is the Finance and Administraion Manager of EPIC Early Intervention Service at RMIT University in Bundoora.
