YSU Autism study center honors faculty fellows

The five were honored for their work dealing with autism.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Rich Center for the Study and Treatment of Autism has named five Youngstown State University faculty members as Rich Center Faculty Fellows.
They were honored at a ceremony recently in Kilcawley Center on campus.
Rich Center Faculty Fellows are scholars recognized for their applied research related to autism, service to the Rich Center, and potential for further contributions to the study and treatment of autism.
The five
The fellows are:
UJeffrey Coldren, professor, psychology.
UCarol Hawkins, assistant professor, human ecology.
UJeanine Mincher, instructor, human ecology.
UJennifer Pintar, assistant professor, human performance and exercise science.
UNancy Mosca, professor, nursing.
"The Rich Center provides the ideal opportunity for faculty to integrate research, teaching and service," said Janice Elias, professor of family and consumer sciences and the academic coordinator of the Rich Center.
"The faculty members who have been selected have involved undergraduate students in their research endeavors while also providing significant service to the mission of the Rich Center," Elias said.
Coldren's research interests are executive functioning and problem-solving in children with autism as well as in the effectiveness of programs to educate service providers to children with autism.
Hawkins and Mincher have collaborated on research regarding the eating habits of children with autism and how their eating habits influence their nutritional status and growth patterns.
Pintar is studying physiological and psychological benefits of exercise on children with autism.
Mosca established a nursing clinic at the Rich Center where prospective school nurses have the opportunity to work with this special population.
For more information, contact Elias at (330) 941-1333 or jaelias@ysu.edu.