Anjana Bhat

• Livieri Endowed Professorship, University of Connecticut for research achievements, June 2014.
• President’s Research Award, Nomination from the Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut, 2012.
• AAUP Research Promise Award, Nomination from the Kinesiology Department, University of Connecticut, 2012.
• Selected Attendee, Enhancing Rehabilitation Research in the South (ERRIS) Grant Workshop, University of Virginia, VA
• Dissertation Fellowship from University of Delaware for the academic year 2004-2005
• Graduate Travel Award from University of Delaware at the International Conference of Infant Studies, Chicago, IL
• Student Travel Award from University of Delaware at the NASPSPA, Savannah, GA
• Student Travel Award from University of Delaware at the International Conference of Infant Studies, Toronto, Canada
• J. N. Tata Scholarship for outstanding achievement in Physical Therapy education

Actively Funded Awards:

• National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development
  RO3 Award
  $146,438
  2011-2014
• National Institutes of Mental Health
  R33 Award
  $700,969
  2011-2014
• Autism Speaks
  Pilot Treatment Award
  $120,000
  2012-2014
• UConn Foundation
  UConn Large Grant
  $20,800
  2012-2014

Completed Funding Awards:

• National Institutes of Mental Health
  R21 Award
  $404,639
  2009-2011
• National Institutes of Mental Health
  Administrative Supplement to R33
  $35,325
  2012-2013
• UConn Research Foundation
  UConn Large Equipment Grant
  $234,604
  2009-2010
• UConn Foundation
  UConn Large Grant
  $21,487
  2009-2011
• UConn Foundation
  UConn Small Grant
  $1,000
  2008
• Cure Autism Now Foundation
  Young Investigator Award
  $80,000
  2006-2008

• American Physical Therapy Association 2009-present
  • CT section
  • Pediatric Section
• International Society for Infant Studies 2008-present
• International Society for Autism Research 2008-present
• North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity 2010-2012

PEER-REVIEWED ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPERS

1. Srinivasan, S., Park, I., Neelly, L., Bhat, A. (2015) The effects of embodied rhythm and robotic interventions on the repetitive behaviors and affective states of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 18, 51-63.
2. Kaur, M., Srinivasan, S., & Bhat, A. (2015) Atypical object exploration skills in infants at-risk for autism during the first year of life. Frontiers in Movement Psychology, 6, 1-15. (Special edition on goal-directed social and object interactions in infancy, Editor: Daniela Corbetta).
3. Bhat, A. & Bubela, D. (2015). An invited clinical summary on Autism Spectrum Disorders, in press.
4. Bhat, A. & Bubela, D. (2015) Clinical Bottom Line: Commentary on “A Therapeutic Skating Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders”, Pediatric Physical Therapy, 27(2), p. 177.
5. Srinivasan, S., Pescatello, L., & Bhat, A. (2014) Physical activity and exercise interventions in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Physical Therapy, 94(6), 875-889.
6. Bhat, A., Bubela, D., & Landa, R. (2014) Autism Spectrum Disorders and Physical Therapy in Jan Tecklin: ed Pediatric Physical Therapy, 5th ed., 2013, Philadelphia, PA Lippincott William & Wilkins Publishers.
7. Srinivasan, S. & Bhat, A. (2013) Music and movement interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Embodied interventions for multisystem development. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 7, 1-15.
8. Srinivasan, S., Gifford, T., Marsh, K., & Bhat, A. (2013) The effects of robot-child interactions on the attention and verbalization patterns of typically developing children and children with autism between 4 to 8 years of age. Autism Open Access, 3 (2), 1-7.
9. Srinivasan, S., Lynch, K., Gifford, T. Bubela, D., & Bhat, A. (2013) The effects of robot-child interactions on imitation and praxis skills of children with and without autism between 4 to 7 years of age. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 116 (3), 889-906.
10. Kaur, M., Gifford, T., Marsh, K., & Bhat, A. (2013) The effects of robot-child interactions on bilateral coordination skills of typically developing children and one child with autism between 4 to 7 years of age. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 1, 31-37.
11. Bhat, A. (2013) Music for maladies: Invited guest blog for Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) on May 31, 2013. http://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/blog/2013/guest-blog-music-for-maladies
12. Bhat, A., Galloway, J., & Landa, R. (2012) Relationship between early motor delay and later communication delay in infants at risk for autism. Infant Behavior and Development, 35, 838-846.
13. Flanagan, J., Landa, R., Bhat, A., & Bauman, M. (2012) Head lag in infants at risk for autism: A preliminary study, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(5), 577-585.
14. Bhat, A., Landa, R., & Galloway, J. C. (2011) Perspectives on motor problems in infants, children, and adults with autism spectrum disorders, Physical Therapy, 91(7), 1116-1129.
15. Bhat, A., Galloway, J. C., & Landa, R. (2010) Visual attention patterns during social and non-social contexts of learning in infants at risk for autism and typically developing infants, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 51(9), 989-997.
16. Lee H., Bhat A., Galloway J. C., & Scholz J. (2008) Toy-oriented changes in early arm movements IV: The coordination of hand, shoulder and elbow. Infant Behavior and Development, 31(3), 447-469.
17. Lynch A., Lee, H.M., Bhat, A., & Galloway, J. C. (2008) No stable arm preference during the pre-reaching period: A comparison of right and left hand kinematics with and without a toy present. Developmental Psychobiology, 50, 390-398.
18. Bhat A., Lee, H., & Galloway J. C. (2007) Toy-oriented changes in early arm movements III: Constraints on Joint Kinematics, Infant Behavior and Development, 30(3), 515-522.
19. Bhat A. & Galloway J. C. (2006) Toy-oriented changes in early arm movements of young infants: Hand Kinematics, Infant Behavior and Development, 29(3), 358-372.
20. Bhat A. & Galloway J. C. (2006) Toy-oriented changes in early arm movements II. Joint Kinematics, Infant Behavior and Development, 30(2), 307-324.
21. Bhat A., Heathcock J., & Galloway J. C. (2005) Toy-oriented changes in hand and joint kinematics of early arm movements in young infants, Infant Behavior and Development, 28(4), 445-465.
22. Heathcock J., Bhat A., Lobo M., & Galloway J. C. (2005) Full-term and preterm infant performance in the mobile paradigm: Relative kicking frequency, Physical Therapy, 85(1), 8-18.
23. Galloway J. C., Bhat A., Heathcock J., & Manal K. (2004) Shoulder and elbow joint power differ as a general feature of vertical arm movements, Experimental Brain Research, 157(3), 391-396.
24. Heathcock J., Bhat A., Lobo M., & Galloway J. C. (2004) Full-term and preterm infant performance in the mobile paradigm: Learning and memory, Physical Therapy, 84(9), 808-821.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

1. O’Hara, C., Srinivasan, S., Korgaonkar, C., Park, I., Neely, L., Bhat, A. (2015) The effects of rhythm interventions on the social attention  and verbalization patterns of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Utah.
2. Korgaonkar, C., Srinivasan, S., O’Hara, C., Park, I., Gifford, T. Bhat A. (2015) The effects of robot-child interactions on the social attention an verbalization patterns of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Utah.
3. Reiss, M., Srinivasan, S., & Bhat, A. (2015) The effects of embodied rhythm and robotic interventions on the repetitive and negative behaviors of children with autism between 5 and 12 years of age. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Utah.
4. Kaur, M., Srinivasan, S., & Bhat, A. (2015) Sensory responsiveness in infants at-risk for autism spectrum disorders within the first two years of life. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Utah.
5. Srinivasan, S., Kaur, M., & Bhat, A. (2015) Differences in means-end exploration between infants at risk for autism and typically developing infants in the first 15 months of life. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Utah.
6. Woxholdt, C., Srinivasan, S., Bhat, A., & Shield, A. (2015) Differences in fingerspelling praxis performance between deaf children with autism and deaf typically developing children between 6 and 12 years of age. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Utah.
7. Park, I., Srinivasan, S., Kaur, M., Gilewska, D., Bhat, A. (2014) The effects of rhythm and robotic interventions on the affective skills of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders – a pilot RCT. Poster submitted to the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
8. Kaur, M., Srinivasan, S., Bhat, A. (2014) The effects of robot-child interactions on the solo and social synchrony of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders – a pilot RCT. Poster submitted to the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
9. Srinivasan, S., Kaur, M., Bhat, A. (2014) Differences in object sharing and locomotor development between infants at risk for autism and typically developing infants in the first 15 months of life. Poster submitted to the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
10. Kaur, M., Srinivasan, S., Sandbank, M., Bhat, A. (2014) Differences in object exploration skills between infants at risk for autism and typically developing infants in the first 15 months of life. Poster submitted to the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
11. Srinivasan, S., Tran, L., Kaur, M., Bhat, A. (2014) Comparing perceptuo-motor and communication development across at-risk infants who later developed autism, at-risk infants without delays, and typically developing infants using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning. Poster submitted to the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
12. Kaur, M., Srinivasan, S., Bhat, A. (2014) Parental perceptions of early communication, motor, social, and cognitive development in infants at risk for autism between 9 and 18 months of age. Poster submitted to the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
13. Srinivasan, S., Kaur, M., Bhat, A. (2014) Differences in object sharing and locomotor development between infants at risk for autism and typically developing infants in the first 15 months of life. Poster submitted to the International Conference on Infant Studies (ICIS).
14. Kaur, M., Srinivasan, S., Sandbank, M., Bhat, A. (2014) Differences in object exploration skills between infants at risk for autism and typically developing infants in the first 15 months of life. Poster submitted to the International Conference on Infant Studies (ICIS).
15. Srinivasan, S., Tran, L., Kaur, M., Bhat, A. (2014) Comparing perceptuo-motor and communication development across at-risk infants who later developed autism, at-risk infants without delays, and typically developing infants using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning. Poster submitted to the International Conference on Infant Studies (ICIS).
16. Kaur, M., Srinivasan, S., Bhat, A. (2014) Parental perceptions of early communication, motor, social, and cognitive development in infants at risk for autism between 9 and 18 months of age. Poster submitted to the International Conference on Infant Studies (ICIS).
17. Srinivasan, S., Kaur, M., Bhat, A. (2012) Developmental changes and the influence of caregiver interactions during object sharing behaviors between 9 to 15 months of age and its applications to infants at risk for autism. Poster presentation at the International Conference of Infant Studies (ICIS).
18. Kaur, M., Srinivasan, S., Bhat, A. (2012) Comparing object exploration skills between typically developing (TD) infants and infant siblings of children with autism from 6 to 15 months of age. Poster presentation at the International Conference of Infant Studies (ICIS).
19. Ju, G., Kaur, M., Harris, A., Srinivasan, S., Bhat, A. (2012) Differences in object exploration skills between infants at risk for autism and typically developing infants in the first 15 months of life. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
20. Cha, E., Srinivasan, S., Kaur, M., Bhat, A. (2012) Differences in object sharing and locomotor skills between infants at risk for autism and typically developing infants in the first 15 months of life. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
21. Srinivasan, S., Kaur, M., Susca, C., Marsh, K., Bhat A. (2012) The Effects of Robot-Child Interactions on Joint Attention and Verbalizations Patterns of Typically Developing Children and Children with ASDs between 4 to 8 Years of Age. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
22. Kaur, M., Srinivasan, S., Gifford, T., Marsh, K., Bhat, A. (2012) The Effect of Robot-Child Interactions on Solo and Social Synchrony in Typically Developing Children and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders between 4-8 Years of Age. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
23. Srinivasan, S., Kaur, M. Gifford, T., Kay, B., Marsh, K., Bhat, A. (2012) The Effects of Robot-
    Child Interactions on the Solo and Social Drumming Synchrony of Typically Developing Children and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders between 4 to 8 Years of Age. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
24. Gifford, T., Wanamaker, C., Dotov, D., Dressler, G., Srinivasan, S., Kaur, M., Marsh, K., & Bhat, A. (2012) Using robot assisted therapy tools in rhythm and locomotion intervention contexts with typically developing children and children with autism. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR).
25. Palatinus, K. Bhat, A., Gifford, T., Dixon, J., Marsh, K. (2011) “The effect of robot-child interactions on interpersonal coordination. Poster presentation at the Budapest CEU Conference on Cognitive Development (BCCCD), Budapest, Hungary.
26. Bhat, A., Palatinus, K., Mhadeshwar, A., Gifford, T., Marsh, K. (2011) “Development of interpersonal synchrony in children between 4-8 years of age: implications for training and special populations.” Poster presentation at the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), Montreal, Canada.
27. Lally, M., Susca, C., Marsh, K., Bhat A. (2011) The effects of robot-child interactions on joint attention and verbalizations patterns of typically developing children and children with ASDs/ ADHD between 4-10 Years of age. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), San Diego, California.
28. Palatinus, K., Menacherry, P., Gifford, T., Marsh, K., Bhat, A. (2011) Intrapersonal and interpersonal synchrony in typically developing children and children with ASDs/ADHD between 4-10 years of age. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), San Diego, California.
29. Srinivasan, S., Lynch, K., Gifford, T., Bubela, D., Bhat, A. (2011) The effects of robot-child interactions on imitation and praxis performance of typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) between 4-10 years of age. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), San Diego, California.
30. Palatinus, K., Gifford, T., Dixon, J., Bhat, A. (2011) Do robot-child interactions affect interpersonal coordination? Poster presentation at the International Conference on Perception and Action (ICPA), Ouro Preto, Brazil.
31. Marsh, K. & Bhat, A. (2011) “Overview on social coordination and connection, with implications for special populations. Platform presentation at the International Conference on Perception and Action (ICPA), Ouro Preto, Brazil.
32. Srinivasan, S., Lynch, K., Gifford, T., Bubela, D., Bhat, A. (2011) The effects of robot-child interactions on imitation and praxis performance of typically developing children and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) between 4-10 years of age. Platform presentation at the North American Society for Sport Psychology and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference, Burlington, Vermont.
33. Bhat, A., Palatinus, K., Menacherry, P., Mhadeshwar, A., Gifford, T., Marsh, K. (2011) Self and social coordination in typically developing children and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)/ADHD. Platform presentation at the North American Society for Sport Psychology and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference, Burlington, Vermont.
34. Bhat A., Mhadeshwar, A., Galloway, J. (2011) Changes in head kinematics in typically developing infants during the development of reaching between 2 to 5 months of age. Poster presentation at the North American Society for Sport Psychology and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference, Burlington, Vermont.
35. McCullough, A., Park, I., Kaur, M., & Bhat A. (2011) A comparison of object-oriented and social experiences to enhance interlimb coordination during kicking in young typically developing infants. Poster presentation at the North American Society for Sport Psychology and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference, Burlington, Vermont.
36. Bhat, A. N., Iverson, J., Landa, R. (2010) “Developmental trajectories of motor, communication, and social development of infant siblings of children with autism”, Platform presentation at the International Conference on Infant Studies (ICIS), Baltimore, MD.
37. Bhat, A., Downing, K., Galloway, J., Landa, R. (2010) “Attention and head turn rates during contingency learning and gross motor performance of young infants at risk for autism”, Poster presentation at the International Conference for Infant Studies (ICIS), Baltimore, MD.
38. Bhat, A., Downing, K., Galloway, J., Landa, R. (2010) “Overt head turning during contingency learning and gross motor performance of young infants at risk for autism”, Poster presentation at the International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR), Philadelphia, PA.
39. Bhat, A., Galloway, J., Landa, R. (2009) “Fine-motor and gross-motor delays in infants at risk for autism in the first half year of life”, Poster presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), Las Vegas, NV.
40. Bhat, A., Wong, C., Galloway, J., Landa, R. (2009) “A Comparison of Reaching Coordination and Arm Postures Between Infant Siblings of Children with Autism and Typically Developing Infants at 3 and 6 Months of Age”, Poster presentation at the International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR), Chicago, IL.
41. Bhat, A., Downing, K., Galloway, J., Landa, R. (2009) “A Comparison of Object Exploration Strategies Between Infant Siblings of Children with Autism and Typically Developing Infants at 6 Months of Age”, Poster presentation at the International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR), Chicago, IL.
42. Lynch A., Lee H., Bhat A., Galloway J. (2008) “Hand Dominance is not stable in the pre-reaching period”, Poster presentation at the International Conference for Infant Studies (ICIS), Vancouver, CA.
43. Lee, H. Bhat, A., Galloway, J. (2008) Developmental Coordination Changes in Arm Movements with and Without a Toy Present Over the Pre-Reaching Period”, Poster presentation at the International Conference for Infant Studies (ICIS), Vancouver, CA.
44. Bhat A., Galloway J., Landa R. (2007) “Learning, visual attention, affect, and coordination in young infants at risk for autism and typically developing infants”, Poster presentation at the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), Boston, MA.
45. Larson J., Bhat A., Mostofsky S., Bastian A. (2007) “Comparing locomotor adaptation between children with high-functioning autism and healthy children”, Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Seattle, WA.
46. Bhat A., Rusyniak, J., Landa R. (2007) “Motor and cognitive development of infants at risk for autism and low-risk typically developing infants”, Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Seattle, WA.
47. Lynch A., Heathcock, J. C., Lee H., Bhat A. N., Galloway J. C. (2007) Movement training advances reach onset, and alters hand kinematics in preterm infants. Poster presentation at the Northeast American Society of Biomechanics Conference, Baltimore, MD.
48. Flanagan J., Marvin A., M., Bhat A., Bauman M., Allen M., Landa R. (2006) “Longitudinal Study of Motor Development in Infant Siblings of Children with Autism”, Poster presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association, Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC.
49. Lee, H, Bhat A., Heathcock J., Galloway J. (2005) “The emergence of purposeful reaching I: Cross-sectional changes in toy-oriented hand and joint kinematics”, Poster presentation at the Motor Development and Learning in Infancy, Murcia, Spain.
50. Bhat A., Heathcock J., Galloway J. (2005) “The emergence of purposeful reaching II: Longitudinal changes in toy-oriented hand kinematics”, Poster presentation at the Motor Development and Learning in Infancy, Murcia, Spain.
51. Bhat A., Heathcock J., Galloway J. (2005) “The emergence of purposeful reaching III: Longitudinal changes in toy-oriented joint kinematics”, Poster presentation at the Motor Development and Learning in Infancy, Murcia, Spain.
52. Bhat, A., Heathcock, J., Galloway, J. (2005) “Toy oriented changes in hand and joint kinematics during the emergence of reaching in young infants”, Poster presentation at the Society for Neuroscience (SFN), Washington, DC.
53. Bhat A., Heathcock J., Lobo M., Galloway J. (2004) “Spatio-temporal patterns of early arm movements”, Poster presentation at the International Conference on Infant Studies (ICIS), Toronto, CA.
54. Heathcock J., Bhat A., Lobo M., Galloway J. (2004) “Relative interlimb kicking frequency of full-term and preterm infants in the mobile paradigm: full-term and preterm infants”, Poster presentation at the International Conference on Infant Studies (ICIS), Toronto, CA.
55. Duff S., Bhat A., Heathcock J., Kozin S., Galloway J. (2004) “Novel movement training in infants with Erb’s palsy”, Poster presentation at the International Conference on Infant Studies (ICIS), Toronto, CA.
56. Duff S., Bhat A., Heathcock J., Kozin S., Galloway J. (2004) “Active exploratory training for infants with brachial plexus birth”, Poster presentation at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference, Vancouver, CA.
57. Heathcock J., Bhat A., Lobo M., Galloway J. (2003), “Learning in preterm and full-term infants”, Poster presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Combined Sections Meeting, FL.
58. Heathcock, J., Bhat A., Lobo, M., Galloway, J. (2003) “Exploring and selecting solutions in the mobile paradigm: full-term and preterm infants”, Poster presentation at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference, Savannah, GA.
59. Bhat, A., Lobo, M., Heathcock, J., Galloway, J. (2003) “Joint excursion combinations during early arm movements in infants”, Poster presentation at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference, Savannah, GA.
60. Galloway, J., Heathcock, J., Bhat, A., Lobo, M. (2002) “Feet reaching: The interaction of experience and ability”, International Conference on Infant Studies (ICIS), Chicago, IL.
61. Galloway, J., Bhat A., Heathcock, J., Lobo, M. (2002) “Shoulder and elbow dynamics during vertical arm movements: Implications for infant development and neurological patients”, Poster presentation at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference, Baltimore, MD.
62. Galloway, J., Heathcock, J., Bhat, A., Lobo, M. (2002) “Feet reaching: The interaction of experience and ability in full-term infants”, Poster presentation at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference, Baltimore, MD.
63. Galloway, J., Heathcock, J., Bhat, A., Lobo, M. (2002) “Feet reaching: The interaction of experience and ability in preterm infants”, Poster presentation at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference, Baltimore, MD.
64. Galloway J., Bhat A., Heathcock J., Manal K., Lobo M. (2002) “Shoulder and elbow dynamics during vertical arm movements of various directions and speeds”, Poster presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Annual Conference, Washington, DC.
65. Galloway J., Heathcock J., Bhat A., Lobo M. (2002) “Learning in full-term and preterm infants: Implications for intervention with ‘prefunctional’ infants”, Poster presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Annual Conference, Washington, DC.
66. Galloway J., Bhat A., Heathcock J., Manal K, Lobo M. (2001) “Shoulder and elbow dynamics during vertical arm movements of various directions and speeds: Implications for development”, Poster presentation at the Society for Neuroscience (SFN) Abstracts, San Diego, CA.

NATIONAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

1. Grant Reviewer
   • Invited grant reviewer, Governors Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism – Independent Scientific Merit Review Panel, March 2015
   • Invited grant reviewer, Meixner post-doctoral fellowship, Autism Speaks review panel, April 2014
   • Invited grant reviewer, NIMH “BRAINS” grant review panel, March 2014.
   • Invited grant reviewer, NICHD grant review panel, February 2014
   • Invited grant reviewer, NICHD “Autism research” grant review panel, October 2012.
   • Invited grant reviewer, NIMH’s “Pediatric interventions committee” panel, October 2011 and 2012.
   • Invited grant reviewer, Translational Research Programme (PTO), The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw), January 2012.
2. Abstract Reviewer/Program Committee Member
   • Abstract reviewer, APTA Section on Pediatrics, Member of the Research committee, June 2015
   • Abstract reviewer, APTA Section on Pediatrics, Member of the Research Committee, June 2014
   • Invited abstract reviewer, Infant Motor Development panel, International Conference on Infant Studies, November 2013.
   • Abstract reviewer, Pediatric research panel, Combined Sections Meeting of the APTA, July 2013.
   • Abstract reviewer, Pediatric research panel, Combined Sections Meeting of the APTA, July 2012.
   • Abstract reviewer, High-risk infants panel, International Conference on Infant Studies, December 2012.
   • Member, Motor development program committee, North American Society of Sport Psychology and Physical Activity, December – February 2012.
   • Section on Pediatrics Research Committee Member, APTA, 2010-present.
   • Selected attendee, Pediatric Research Summit, Pediatric Section, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), November 2011. The goal of the research summit was to engage in discussions on evidence-based pediatric interventions and assess the research needs and gaps within the field.
3. Editorial Board Member, Journal of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics starting Fall 2015
4.  Manuscript Reviewer
   • Reviewed 40 manuscripts for various peer-reviewed journals such as Physical Therapy, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, Experimental Brain Research, Brain Sciences, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Developmental Psychobiology, Infant Behavior and Development, Journal of Motor Behavior, Neuropsychology, Early Human Development, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, Journal of Child Language, and Child Development between 2008 and 2013

UNIVERSITY AND LOCAL SERVICE

1. Organizing the Blue Hen Tribute to John Scholz and PT Clinic Grand Reopening Event, October, 23, 2015.
2. Conducted prospective DPT student interviews, University of Delaware, Fall 2014.
3. Recruitment coordinator, Steering and Search committee, University of Connecticut, Summer 2014.
4. MRI center DO position, Search committee, University of Connecticut, Spring-Summer 2014.
5. Member, Admissions Committee, DPT program, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 2010-present
6. Member, Alumni Award Selection Committee, PT program, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 2008-present
7. Member, Department level, Merit Criteria Review Committee, 2009-2010
8. Advisor, UConn Mentor Connection program for advising high school students on research: Summer 2011 & 2012
9. Clinician offering assessments for families in the community: Over 110 verbal reports on motor and cognitive development to study participants
10. Invited-in-service, Novel Autism Treatments, Riverstreet Autism Program, Hartford, CT in Fall 2011.
11. Invited in-service, Autism Update, Manchester Memorial Hospital (MMH) NICU Staff in Fall 2010

Invited Lectures

1. Scheduled talk, “Using fNIRS to examine mirror neuron functioning during interpersonal synchrony tasks in children with autism”, University of Delaware, Psychology & Brain Sciences, Spring 2016.
2. “Novel Assessment and Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” University of Delaware, Physical Therapy Department, October 2014.
3. “Embodied Assessments and Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” University of Delaware, Physical Therapy Department, April 2014.
4. “Multisystem Assessments and Embodied Interventions for Children with Developmental Disorders.” New York University, Physical Therapy Department, April 2013.
5. “Multisystem Assessments and Embodied Interventions for Children with Developmental Disorders.” Yale University, Child Study Center, March 2013.
6. “Multisystem Assessments and Embodied Interventions for Children with Developmental Disorders.” Temple University, Physical Therapy Department, January 2013.
7. “Multisystem Assessments and Embodied Interventions for Children with Developmental Disorders.” University of Maryland – College Park, Kinesiology Department, March 2012.
8. “Multisystem Assessments and Embodied Interventions for Children with Developmental Disorders.” University of Delaware, Physical Therapy Department, January 2012.
9. “Multisystem Assessments and Embodied Interventions for Children with Developmental Disorders.” Indiana University, Psychology Department, December 2011.
10. “Multisystem Assessments and Embodied Interventions for Children with Developmental Disorders.” Pediatric Research Summit, American Physical Therapy Association, Pediatric PT Section, November 2011.
11. “Motor incoordination in autism”, CT chapter of the Pediatric section of the American Physical Therapy Association, Hartford, CT, April 2009.
12. “Motor incoordination in autism”, Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Las Vegas NV, February 2009.
13. Gifford, T. & Bhat, A. Techniques for the clinical application of robotics for the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders. Serving Students with Autism, Aspergers and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Conference, Greyfriars Bethlehem PA, September 2009.
14. “Early markers for developmental delays”, Haskins Laboratories Weekly Colloquium, New Haven, CT, July 2008.
15. “Visual attention and motor coordination in infants at risk for autism”, Clinical Psychology Colloquium, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, February 2008.
16. “A dynamic view of atypical development”, Center for Ecological Study of Perception and Action, Developmental Workshop, February 2008.
17. “Infant coordination and learning”, Center for Ecological Study of Perception and Action, Perception Action Seminars, February 2008.

University of Delaware

• PHYT 803: Medical Sciences III: Neurology, Instructor & Coordinator, 2015-Present
• PHYT 811: Physical Therapy in Pediatrics, Co-instructor, 2015-Present
• “Principles of atypical development lecture” and “Screening and assessment” lecture series, Graduate Teaching Assistant 2004-2006
• Department of Biological Sciences BISC 326, BISC 103, Teaching Assistant 2001-2002

University of Connecticut

• Motor Control and its applications, Instructor 2009-2013
• Pediatrics PT Elective, Co-Instructor 2012
• Biomechanics and its applications, Instructor 2008-2012
• Clinical Human Physiology, Instructor 2009

Padmashree Institute of Physiotherapy

• “Physical Therapy in Neurology and Medicine” lecture series, Assistant Professor 1999-2000