Graduate Students
Jonathan Chiao
- B.A. in Mathematics and Chemistry from New York University (2003)
- M.P.H. in Environmental and Occupational Health from Drexel University (2006)
- Currently working on an M.D. and my Ph.D. in Human & Community Development
Advisors: Dr. Ann Reisner and Dr. Aaron Ebata
Professional/Research Interests:
My broad research interests include rural health care, access and availability issues for underserved communities and rural families with developmental disabilities. I will be working with The Autism Program (http://www.theautismprogram.org/uiuc.asp) on social-behavioral aspects of autism, diagnostics, and other services in and around Champaign-Urbana.
For my dissertation, I will be drawing upon postmodern and eighth movement constructs of "otherness and difference," critical race theory, queer theory, politics of difference, resistance and identity, and hooks' critical feminism to help construct an alternative, qualitative, discourse of what it means to be living with an autism spectrum disorder in rural Illinois - and how these experiences affect family health and wellness.
Choice frameworks include: postmodernism, postpostmodernism, critical race theory, critical feminism, politics of difference, social responsibility, community health development, sustainability, and community mobilization.
Honors and Awards:
2007 – 2008 List of teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students, with outstanding
HDFS 401 and HDFS 405
Center for Teaching Excellence, UIUC
2007 – 2008 Predoctoral Fellow, Marshall J. Scott Graduate Fellowship
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2006 – 2007 Predoctoral Fellow, The Pampered Chef Family Resiliency Program,
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2006 – 2007 Graduate College Fellowship
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Non-UIUC Honors and Awards
2006 Hygeia Honor Society, Drexel University School of Public Health
2004 Honorary Member, Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Company
1998 – 2001 Deans List, New York University
1998 – 2002 Presidential Scholar, New York University
Assistantships held as a Graduate Student at Illinois:
2007 – Current Teaching Assistant
HDFS 405, Dr. Reed Larson
Department of Human and Community Development, UIUC
2007 – Current Teaching Assistant
HDFS 401, Dr. Joseph Pleck
Department of Human and Community Development, UIUC
2007 – Current Research Assistant
The Autism Program, Dr. Aaron Ebata
Department of Human and Community Development, UIUC
2007 – 2008 Predoctoral Fellow, Marshall J. Scott Graduate Fellowship
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2006 – 2007 Predoctoral Fellow, The Pampered Chef Family Resiliency Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
As an HCD graduate student at Illinois I've had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of world-renowned faculty and individuals. I've had the pleasure of working directly with six different faculty members while always having the support and encouragement to develop my own research. The HCD graduate student body has also been a wonderful resource, very active socially and professionally, and very supportive of each other and others’ interests. The students are very involved in the University and the department, and the faculty and administration actively encourage and create opportunities for these experiences.
Professional Memberships
American Civil Liberties Union
American Medical Association
American Public Health Association
Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Company
Drexel University Alumni Association
East Lycoming Ambulance Association
Illinois State Medical Society
International Association for Qualitative Inquiry
New York University Alumni Association
University Service
Medical Scholars Program / fMRI Mentor Match
University Library Student Advisory Counsel
College of Medicine Research Day Planning Committee
Medical Scholars Program Allerton Research Symposium Planning Committee
Publications
Epstein N and Chiao J. Dental Services for People with Developmental
Disabilities: New Initiatives, A report to Elwyn, Inc and the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. September, 2006.
Presentations
Langer E and Chiao J. Relationships in Oral Health: An Analysis of Persons with
Developmental Disabilities in Philadelphia, 134th American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, November 08, 2006.
Langer E and Chiao J. Dental Care for Persons with Developmental
Disabilities: Identifying Obstacles, Creating Solutions and Preparing for Future Challenges, Invited paper presented at the Disability Health Policy Forum, Pittsburgh, PA, November 10, 2005.
Hometown: Hughesville, Pennsylvania
Hobbies: Tennis, golf, sleep, House M.D. (woohoo!)