Staff

Naomi Swiezy, PhD, HSPP

DIRECTOR

Dr. Swiezy is a Professor of Clinical Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry at the Indiana University School of Medicine.As founder of the HANDS in Autism® Model and Director of the HANDS in Autism® Center, her programming and research interests include the facilitation and implementation of systems change with direct involvement in development of programming, training and supervision of personnel and students in implementing programming elements, and facilitating engagement, participation and training of community partners.

Tiffany Neal, PhD

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Dr. Neal has a rich background in clinical neuropsychology, school psychology, and applied behavior analysis with a concentration in complex or dual diagnoses and experience across inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic, home, school and community-based service and treatment settings.

Kristan Sievers-Coffer

COMMUNITY TRANSITION SPECIALIST

Kristan joined the HANDS team in 2022. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and Masters in Elementary Education from Indiana University. She began her career in education as a teacher for 16 years at the middle school level in Illinois and Indiana, covering a range of subjects including primary science, social studies, and English.

Christina Rogers, BSW, MSW, LSW

COMMUNITY TRANSITION SPECIALIST

Christina joined the HANDS team in 2022. She has been with the IU School of Medicine for 17 years. Her career development has been in disability advocacy for the past 13 yrs assisting families looking at current Situations and orchestrating future goals successfully (Transition).  

Smith Julie

Julie joined the HANDS in Autism team in 2022 and plays a pivotal role in leading the Local Community Cadres while contributing to various projects within the State and Community Facilitation Team. With over 20 years of experience serving Indiana’s disability community, Julie has held numerous impactful roles, including her tenure as the Director of Individual and Family Support for the Autism Society of Indiana. Additionally, she is a LifeCourse Ambassador, bringing her expertise and dedication to improving resources and outcomes for individuals with disabilities and their families.  

Allison Crawford-Wallis

TRANSITION SUPPORT TECHNICIAN

Allison joined the HANDS team in 2021 and recently graduated from IUPUI in the Purdue School of Science studying Psychology with a minor in Sociology and a certificate in Child Abuse and Neglect.

Audrey Williams

COMMUNITY TRANSITION SPECIALIST

Audrey obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Ball State University, with a focus on Intense Interventions. She has worked in the disability field in a variety of settings, including as an Instructor at Erskine Green Training Institute for 3 years. 

Mounika Gottipati, BDS, MSHI

DATA SPECIALIST

Mounika joined the HANDS team in 2022. She has a Health Informatics Masters degree from Indiana University Indianapolis. Her areas of interests include health data analytics and clinical informatics. She works as a Data Specialist and is eager to immerse herself in the team's projects.

Baby Amulya Devarapalli

Data Specialist

Baby Amulya Devarapalli joined the HANDS team in 2023 as a Research Assistant and transitioned to a full-time Data Specialist role in 2024. With a Master's Degree in Health Informatics and a background in Doctor of Pharmacy, Amulya's expertise in Health Data Analytics and Clinical Informatics aligns perfectly with our focus on leveraging data for healthcare improvements. In this role, Amulya will develop and implement standardized policies and procedures across projects, with a special emphasis on priority projects for dissemination. 

Akhil Bhimineni

DATA SPECIALIST

Akhil joined the HANDS in 2023 and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in computer and information science at IUPUI. He is currently working as a student support specialist, working mainly on sensory kits and bookstore. His academic and research interests are primarily focused on data analytics and data visualization. Before joining HANDS, Akhil completed his undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Automobile Engineering.

Sravan Kumar Gadipudi

DATA SPECIALIST

Sravan Kumar Gadipudi joined the HANDS in 2023 and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in computer and information science at IUPUI. Prior to his current role, Sravan amassed two years of valuable experience as a skilled Data Engineer, mastering the art of handling intricate datasets and implementing innovative data-driven solutions.

Saisrujan Pendem

Data Specialist

SAISRUJAN joined HANDS in 2023 and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in computer and information science at IUPUI. He is currently working as a student support specialist. His academic and research interests are primarily focused on data analytics and data visualization, Cloud Computing, and Cloud Development.

Boti Ogunmola, MBBS

Data Specialist

Boti Ogunmola joined the HANDS team as a student support specialist in 2023. She will be completing her master’s degree in public health with a concentration in Global and Environmental Health at IUPUI in spring 2024. She completed her undergraduate degree in medicine from Nigeria where she practised for about 2 years before proceeding to the US to pursue her master’s degree.  

Kurt Bassett

PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Kurt joined the HANDS team in 2017, coming from a wide range of experience, including; 4 years as a records manager at IDOE, 5 years as a cart collector at Walmart, interning for the Arc of Us, and a teacher aid at his church’s preschool.He volunteers at Riley Hospital, the Children’s Museum, and the Indianapolis Zoo.

Spurthi Nedhnuri

Student Support Specialist

Spurthi Nedhnuri, a Master’s student in Computer Science at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), set to graduate in May 2025. Since May 2024, I’ve been with the HANDS in Autism team as a Student Support Assistant, where I support health-focused projects with my skills in data analysis.

Dimple Sushma

Dimple Sushma Alluri joined HANDS in 2024 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Health Informatics at IUPUI. I am working as a research assistant intern, contributing mainly to literature review. My academic and research interests are primarily focused on biostatistics, data analysis, and visualization. Before joining masters I have completed Doctor of Pharmacy in India.   

Sai Srilekha Aluru

Student Support Specialist

Srilekha is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Health Informatics and working as a Student Support Assistant with HANDS in Autism. Her academic and research interests include healthcare data analysis, clinical informatics, and patient safety. At HANDS, she supports the team by assisting in developing and implementing resources for individuals with autism and contributing to the creation of data-driven solutions.  

Srithika Sheetal

Digital Materials Assistant

A graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction at Indiana University Indianapolis, with an expected graduation in December 2024. My research interests focus on user experience design, accessibility, and the application of cognitive psychology principles to create more intuitive and user-centered digital interfaces. As a Digital Materials Assistant with the HANDS team, I leverage my background in architecture and my current Human Computer And Interaction studies to contribute to projects involving user research, interface design, and usability testing. My interdisciplinary approach combines my understanding of spatial design with human-computer interaction principles to enhance user experiences across various digital platforms  

DEEPTHI MALLEPALLY

Direct Support Assistant

Sanjeev Samantha

Samantha Sanjeev joined HANDS in 2024 and is currently pursuing a master's degree in health informatics at IUI. She holds a PharmD degree and has valuable experience working as a medical content writer. Currently, she serves as a Research Assistant for the State and Community Facilitation Team. In this role, she takes on significant responsibilities as the Team Lead for her project. Her work reflects her deep passion for using technology to enhance patient care and streamline healthcare processes. This field offers her a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of healthcare and data science, driving innovation and efficiency in medical services. 

Kushal Pancholi

Research Assistant

I'm Kushal Pancholi, and I'm currently advancing my education with a Master's in Health Informatics at Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis. In January 2024, I began a new path as a research assistant with HANDS in autism, combining my academic and professional skills to make a meaningful contribution to the area. 

Archita Singamsetty

Direct Support Assistant

Archita Singamsetty is currently pursuing a master's degree in health informatics, Her academic and research interests focus on leveraging data analytics to improve healthcare outcomes. As a direct support assistant with the HANDS team, she is dedicated to providing essential support and care, utilizing her expertise to enhance the effectiveness of health services. 

Surya Rao Sripathi

Research Assistant

Surya Sripathi joined HANDS in Autism in June 2024 as a Research Assistant for the Collaborative Sites project. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Health Informatics from Indiana University, Indianapolis, Surya’s academic and research interests focus on data analytics and data visualization.

Vaishali Vijay Shinde

Research Assistant

I am Vaishali Vijay Shinde, a Master's student in Health Informatics at Indiana University, Indianapolis, expecting to graduate in December 2024. My academic interests lie in clinical research, data analysis using tools like Python, R, and MySQL, as well as community service endeavors. As a Research Assistant with the HANDS in Autism Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center at Riley Hospital for Children and IU School of Medicine, I contribute to research projects aimed at advancing knowledge and care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. My role involves conducting literature reviews, performing data analyses, and participating in the dissemination of findings to the wider community. I am passionate about applying my skills in health informatics to make a positive impact through the interdisciplinary work at HANDS. 

Poorva Reddy Vanga

Student Support Assistant

Poorva Reddy became part of the HANDS team in 2024 as a Student Support Assistant, bringing her dedication to enhancing patient care. She is currently advancing her knowledge by pursuing a Master's degree in Medical Informatics at Indiana University. Before joining HANDS, she completed her Bachelor's degree in Dental Surgery from India.  

Hemanth Kumar Reddy Gunnam

Research Assistant

Adarsh Viswanath, a PharmD graduate with valuable experience as a hospital pharmacist, joined HANDS in 2024 and is currently pursuing a master's degree in health informatics at IUI. As a Research Assistant with the Coordinated Care Team, he has taken on significant responsibilities, serving as the Team Lead for his project, and showcasing his leadership skills. Adarsh's work demonstrates a profound passion for blending healthcare and technology, fostering innovation and advancement in the field. With his clinical background, he seeks to integrate pharmacy with health informatics, offering a distinctive perspective to the domain. 

Girija Lakshmi Kakani

DIRECT SUPPORT ASSISTANT

Hello, I’m Girija from India, and my journey with HANDS began in June 2023. I hold a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and have 1.5 years of experience as a Junior Data Analyst in the Drug Safety Department. The intersection of information technology and healthcare, with its remarkable impact on patient safety, left me fascinated.