Laura S. Coleman (B.A., Psychology) is currently a Clinical Research Coordinator for the SPARK Study with the Marcus Autism Center and Emory University’s School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.  She is a graduate of Emory University, having initially been diagnosed as having ASD when she was an undergraduate student. Her first connections with the autistic community were formed at the Emory Autism Center, where she participated in their adult programs and connected with other adults on the autism spectrum.  Laura has been employed by the Marcus Autism Center since 2016, having worked in the research department for the past 5 years.  She has been working in an advisory capacity for several autism research grants since 2018, primarily with Emory faculty, but has also worked with several other principal investigators and organizations from across the country.   Over the years, she has provided mentorship and guidance for other autistic young adults, drawing from her own experiences and lessons learned from the challenges she has herself faced along her journey.   

Affiliations: Marcus Autism Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Simons Powering Autism Research Knowledge (SPARK) Study