Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D.

Geraldine Dawson is the William Cleland Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University, where she also is Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology & Neuroscience and directs the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development and the Duke Autism Clinic. Dawson was previously a Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington, where she directed the UW Autism Center. She served as President of the International Society of Autism Research, a two-term member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, and Chief Science Officer for Autism Speaks. Dawson’s research has focused on autism early detection, treatment, and brain function. She is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and received the American Psychological Association Distinguished Career Award, Association for Psychological Science Lifetime Achievement Award and Clarivate Top 1% Cited Researcher Across All Scientific Fields. Dawson received a Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Clinical Psychology from the University of Washington and completed a clinical internship at UCLA.