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Zachary Warren

Endowed Executive Director, Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD)
Deputy Director, Frist Center for Autism and Innovation


Dr. Warren received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2005 from the University of Miami and is currently a Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Special Education at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). He is the Endowed Executive Director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s (VKC) Treatment and Research Institute on Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD), Director of the Division of Developmental Medicine at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, and Director of Autism Research for the VKC and the Department of Pediatrics. His current research focuses on early detection and intervention for ASD as well as in the application of technology and telehealth for enhanced identification and service.  Dr. Warren has received funding and support from AHRQ, Autism Speaks, CDC, HRSA/MCH, NICHD, NIMH, NSF, the Simons Foundation, and other agencies.  He is seen as a national and international leader regarding ASD screening/diagnosis and treatment.  For the past 15 years, he has been collaborating with members of the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering (VUSE) on projects aimed at developing and testing intelligent technologies for use in ASD assessment and intervention.  He is presently Deputy Director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and collaborating on NSF, IES, and NIMH supported projects refining technological systems for lifespan support.  Dr. Warren also oversees the large professional development structures that are part of TRIAD which are funded to provide evidence-based training for ASD service and professional capacity building across the state of Tennessee through the Department of Education, Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS).