Brenna Maddox, PhD
AIR-P Scholar, Cohort 2 (2021-2022)
About
Dr. Brenna Maddox is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the UNC School of Medicine. As the Implementation Scientist at UNC TEACCH Autism Program, her work focuses on improving community services for people on the autism spectrum across the lifespan. She is also a clinical psychologist with expertise in the assessment and treatment of co-occurring psychiatric conditions in autism. She is particularly interested in training and supporting community mental health clinicians, modifying cognitive-behavioral therapy for people on the autism spectrum with anxiety or depression, and preventing suicide in this population. Her research has been supported by the NIMH, PCORI, the Foundation of Hope, and the FAR Fund.
Dr. Maddox earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Tech, completed her clinical internship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and completed postdoctoral fellowships at CHOP’s Center for Autism Research and the Penn Center for Mental Health at the University of Pennsylvania. After 12 years away, she is excited to return to her home state of North Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, and hiking.
Institution: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Project Title: Identifying the Constructs for an Autistic Quality of Life (AQoL) Measure
Project Overview: The study aims to understand and define Autistic Quality of Life (AQoL) from the perspective of autistic adults, identifying factors that contribute to AQoL and its impact on their physical health.