Our Team

Lauren Bishop is an associate professor at the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work, principal investigator at the Waisman Center, and faculty affiliate with the Institute for Research on Poverty, Center for the Demography of Health and Aging, and the Center for Aging Research and Evaluation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her National Institutes of Health-funded research focuses on helping adults with autism spectrum disorder live long, healthy, and self-determined lives in their communities. She is currently conducting some of the first US studies of health problems in older adulthood for autistic individuals. Her social work practice experience includes roles as a school counselor and a social skills group leader for children, adolescents, and adults on the autism spectrum. Dr. Bishop is also broadly interested in identifying strategies to strengthen the social work workforce that assists individuals with developmental disabilities in the community.

You can also visit Dr. Bishop’s School of Social Work bio page for an updated copy of her CV or see her musings on research and life in academia on Twitter @Dr.LaurenBishop

Kiley McLean is a doctoral candidate entering her fourth year in the social welfare PhD program at the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work. Kiley has been a part of the AHEADD Team for the past three years and has contributed to the LEND Outcomes, Health and Healthcare in Autistic Adults, and How Autistic Adults use Money to Live studies. She has years of experience in practice, as a DSP and special educator, and in policy working with individuals with developmental disabilities. She is currently one of the head coaches of the East Madison Special Olympics team. She has a passion for improving disability policy, through research, teaching, and advocacy, and her dissertation will be focused on advancing knowledge in Medicaid policy in Wisconsin.

You can also visit Kiley McLean’s School of Social Work bio page for an updated copy of her CV or follow her on twitter @KileyJMcLean for her thoughts on doctoral life and disability policy.

Meghan Haas is a second-year doctoral student in the PhD Social Welfare Program at the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work. Meghan has worked with individuals with IDD for many years through different experiences such as Special Olympics, Best Buddies, and in providing respite care. Meghan is a long-term trainee in the WI LEND program and is excited to further develop her knowledge base and passion through LEND and her work with the AHEADD team. Meghan’s primary research interest is healthy aging for individuals with IDD.

Jamie Koenig is a first-year doctoral student in the social welfare PhD program at the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work. She previously worked at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, providing technical assistance to the national network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Jamie is particularly interested in the interactions of disability and employment.

Megan is a first-year master’s student at the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work. Megan has had some experience working with individuals with disabilities in her role as a crisis counselor. This role combined with lived experiences inspired her interest in working with individuals with disabilities in a mental health setting. Megan is excited to learn more about the systems and factors that impact autistic adults and adults with other developmental disabilities through her internship with the AHEADD team. She is especially interested in working with autistic girls and women.