Dr. Angela Scarpa's 
P.A.N.D.A. Lab

Alan is a postdoctoral research associate with the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic and Center for Autism Research. Alan grew up in Botetourt Couty, VA and completed a BA in History and a MT in Special Education and Secondary Social Studies at the University of Virginia. He went on to teach middle school special education for two years before moving to Lusaka, Zambia with his wife Sarah McLucas to work alongside Zambian teachers to educate and serve children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. He returned to U.S. to complete his PhD in Special Education and study to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the University of Virginia. Alan's research interest involve improving access to intervention and support for autistic youth living in rural communities, supporting rural educators, and behavioral interventions to improve vocational skills in youth with developmental differences. Outside of work, Alan enjoys playing the guitar at his local church and reading fantasy fiction.