Virginia Sklar Muscatello, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) is committed to being a leading destination for children’s health by providing exceptional and innovative care. CHOC's Research Institute embodies this mission with more than 600 active clinical research studies across nearly all pediatric subspecialty areas. Our CHOC research community is dedicated to providing patients the latest breakthrough treatments at every stage of their young lives — from infancy through adolescence.• Inaugural Manager of Research Education • Develop, implement, & evaluate a comprehensive research education program for clinical study teams, physician researchers, resident & fellow researchers, and research compliance & quality specialists• Create & administer tools, trainings, & educational opportunities for the CHOC research community• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders at CHOC & other research institutions to develop inclusive, effective teaching practices & adapt curriculum

Los Angeles, California, United States

• Lecturer for Research Methods in Psychology and Psychological Statistics, reaching 150 – 650 undergraduate students (Psychology, Psychobiology, Cognitive Science) per 10-week academic quarter• Lecturer for Graduate Professional Development, Evidence-based Undergraduate Teaching, supporting the pedagogical development of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars as equity-minded practitioners• Fall 2023 Program Manager, Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, & Learning (CIRTL@UCLA) reporting to the Executive Director, Center for Education Innovation & Learning in the Sciences (CEILS) promoting equity & justice in STEM education through collaboration, partnership & community• Coach a 5 to 20-person instructional team of graduate teaching assistants, faculty, & staff in developing inclusive classrooms (e.g., co-creating learning environments, formative/summative assessments, accessible materials, teaching in multiple modalities, community guidelines) • Train STEM faculty on blended learning approaches (combining asynchronous digital curriculum tools with in-person pedagogical practices), Canvas LMS, inclusive course planning with backwards-design thinking, implementation of learning sciences, learner-centered instructional approaches

• Spearheaded a comprehensive course redesign to include more active, inclusive teaching & learning practices & consider the diversity of 1400 students each academic year, resulting in increased student perceptions of course inclusivity, learner satisfaction, self-efficacy, social-connectedness and course-level academic achievement• Designed, created, & implemented videos & online interactive modules according to evidence-based methods aligned with learning sciences & UDL to increase student feelings of inclusivity & academic achievement• Built an innovative, cost-effective & scalable library of self-paced and digital learning modules within Canvas LMS that are student-centered & customizable to support diverse learning needs • Created program evaluation processes & assessment tools (surveys, pre/post experiments) to evaluate the inclusion of learner-centered instructional approaches & inform the iterative curriculum improvement

• Developed an innovative library of digital curriculum materials (slides, interactive PDFs) to transition from in-person modality to remote administration leveraging various LMS’s (Moodle, Canvas) for Undergraduate Research Methods in Psychology course• Managed & trained a quarterly team of 25 graduate teaching assistants with varying levels of teaching experience & backgrounds scaffolding feedback to support all in delivering effective, learner-centered instruction in an online space• Supported the diverse learning needs of 500 enrolled undergraduate students through interactive assessment tools (Mentimeter, Kahoot!, iClicker, Google Forms, Poll Everywhere) & differentiating instruction in lecture and labs

• Collaborated with faculty & graduate students to implement effective, data-driven lessons for undergraduate students• Led discussion sections for 21-30 undergraduate students with diverse learning needs• Provided timely & frequent feedback to students fostering an environment of open communication & interest in learningUndergraduate Courses: Research Methods in Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Developmental Psychology Research Lab, Psychological Statistics

Research Study: CBT for Youth with Autism, Emotional/Behavioral Needs in Community Settings (CYAN); CYAN utilizes a community-based research approach to determine the benefits of adapted CBT (meya.ucla.edu) in real-world clinical settings (schools, regional centers, private practices) while improving training support for mental health professionals working with youth on the autism spectrum & their families. • Led a 13-person research team of faculty, staff, data scientists, & research assistants in conducting a broad-scale, multi-year community partnered research project funded by the Department of Defense• Established team strategy, vision and culture; performed full-scope onboarding of research team, managed a $2.8 million research budget, coordinated all study logistics (IRB, grant renewals)• Prioritized research needs to maintain a strategic roadmap guided by study objectives & stakeholder goals to create clear, measurable plans with weekly & quarterly collaborative team aims• Established new & maintained strong relationships with community partners (mental health practitioners, autism community leaders, CA public school administrators, autistic school-aged youth & their families)• Mentored 6 graduate student research team members by providing social emotional support & feedback on personal research programs & coursework empowering each to fulfill their personal & professional goals

Research Study: Modular Evidence Based Practices for Youth with Autism (MEYA); The MEYA Autism Program at UCLA uses evidence-based interventions to enhance self-regulation, promote adaptive behaviors in social & academic contexts, & address the wide spectrum of personality traits, symptom expressions, and psychiatric comorbidities often observed in autistic youth. A comprehensive, accessible & free online clinical training tool, MEYA is a clinical-decision-making assistant for clinicians working with autistic youth & their families.• Supported the iterative product development of meya.ucla.edu, an online training curriculum for community health practitioners• Created & copy edited evidence-based resources for clinicians & families with eLearning tools in clinical areas of cognitive restructuring, perspective taking, exposure therapy (facing fears), antecedent management, self-management, modeling, role-play• Collaborated with subject & technical experts, software designers, & mental health practitioners to utilize this tool & efficaciously implement adapted CBT in community care settings

Los Angeles, California, United States

The UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families, & Communities utilizes systems-level improvement strategies with innovative research & evaluation techniques to provide policy recommendations & community training programs addressing some of the most challenging health & social problems facing children, families, & our communities today. • Lead researcher for the Lifelong-Learning capability; the Gross Developmental Potential (GDP2) is a novel capabilities-based framework for assessing threats to thriving & understanding progress in achieving lifelong health & wellbeing• Conducted generative & evaluative research using a mixture of research methods (systematic literature review, surveys, focus groups, interviews) with a diverse range of stakeholders (subject experts, technical experts, community practitioners, local, state & national policymakers) • Synthesized findings into tangible insights & recommendations for community members, researchers, & policymakers addressing significant gaps in how healthy development is evaluated & how that information can guide upstream policies & investments• Collaborated with academic & community stakeholders to effectively implement these findings

Orange County, California Area

My Private Professor (MPP) is an educational services company that seeks to inspire & empowertoday’s students to achieve their potential. With a vision to make academic support & educational resources accessible to all, MPP provides in-person & online academic support for students & families, regardless of background, age, & socioeconomic status. • Provided supplemental instruction for 25 Grades 6-12 students with varying support needs & learning/behavioral challenges (e.g., Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Specific learning challenges)• Created curriculum & differentiated instruction to enhance individualized understanding of material• Facilitated trainings & provided weekly consultation to team of 20 tutors on evidence-based, student-centered instructional approaches to better support the diverse needs of MPP's students• Supported students & families in navigating the college application process: SAT/ACT test preparation, Personal statement essays, A-G Subject requirements, Financial Aid applications, Career/College exploration

Orange County, California, United States

Newport Academy is a network of teen mental health & substance abuse treatment centers with the mission to provide teens & their families with the highest-quality, integrated care for trauma, mental health issues, eating disorders, & substance abuse. Each resident’s individualized treatment plan incorporates evidence-based clinical & experiential modalities, plus academic support, to create long-term, sustainable healing.• Directed inpatient educational programming for a diverse group of 75+ male-identifying adolescents aged 12 - 18 struggling with complex mental health challenges, substance abuse, and a spectrum of learning/behavioral differences• Collaborated with teachers, school districts, multidisciplinary treatment teams, and family system, orchestrating comprehensive strategies for the holistic recovery and growth of each student• Provided expert guidance and coaching to a team of 8 residential teachers, empowering them in the adept use of behavioral interventions, data-driven, differentiated instruction methods, and precise documentation practices• Conceptualized and facilitated a novel Public Speaking Therapeutic group, strategically designed to nurture critical self-advocacy skills and bolster self-esteem among clients

Laguna Hills, California, United States

Road Runner Sports is the world's largest speciality running & walking store dedicated to helping & inspiring every individual to get moving, stay active, & make healthy choices that can lead to life-changing benefits. • Awarded Employee of the Quarter for executing the best store-wide performance, customer service skills & maintaining an inspiring attitude• Voted Employee of the Month 4 times during tenure for customer service & sales numbers• Consistently delivered highest revenue in the store on a weekly basis & continually performed at the top of all key performance indexes, positively contributing to strong company culture• Oriented & trained new hires in product sales strategies; led monthly professional development empowering & supporting team members in leveraging their diverse skillsets to drive sales• Managed consumer needs through Salesforce CMS system

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Teach For America (TFA) is a leadership development organization that finds, develops, & supports equity-oriented leaders so they can transform education, starting in the classroom. Placed in the Atlanta Public Schools (APS), the district's vision is one of high-performance where students love to learn & educators inspire through implementing a caring culture of equity, trust, & collaboration.• Middle School Special Educator in an under-resourced school serving students with varying levels of support needs (e.g., Autism, ADHD, Emotional/behavioral dysregulation, Specific learning disability, Intellectual disability) • Designed Individualized Education Plans for 60+ students with diverse learning and behavioral needs with measurable, achievable individualized goals that centered the student and caregiver voice• Pioneered a strategic school-wide data collection process for students with emotional/behavioral challenges • Led school-wide trainings on data-driven, differentiated instructional strategies for diverse learners resulting in increased cultural sensitivity and inclusion within the school community• Developed partnerships with parents, administrators, counselors to support students' academic and emotional growth

Berkeley, California, United States

Berkeley Model United Nations (BMUN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit & a Cal student led organization dedicated to a near century of excellence as the world’s premier & first United Nations simulation. BMUN encourages students to expand their worldviews in inclusive learning spaces & creates educational experiences that support high school students in research strategies, public speaking, & policy debate.• Developed & executed strategic vision & $500,000 budget for the world's inaugural Model United Nations educational conference for 2,000+ Grades 9-12 students• Led & managed a secretariat of 80 undergraduate student members & a 12-member Officer Corp• Spearheaded Outreach Program & created public speaking curriculum taught at 25 Bay Area high schools• 2016-2022 served as the voluntary chairperson of Non-Profit Board of Directors; advised 95 undergraduate students on how to monitor performance indicators to improve to conference services

Berkeley, California, United States

With the help of Cal student ambassadors, the UC Berkeley Visitor & Parent Services team tells the Berkeley story, welcomes & orients a broad spectrum of guests to campus, operates the historic Sather Tower/Campanile, & oversees all operations of Cal Day, the annual campus open house.• Shared my infectious enthusiasm through tours of the historic campus to a broad spectrum of guests including prospective students & their families, alumni, school groups, donors, & international scholars• Represented UC Berkeley at campus recruitment events supporting efforts to recruit prospective undergraduate students, especially those who have been underrepresented in higher education

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

DC Public School's Urban Education Leaders Internship Program (UELIP) gives top university students the opportunity to perform purposeful, mission-critical education projects supporting innovative solutions to systemic urban education challenges.• Developed a detailed 35-page hybrid learning orientation guide distributed to all K-12 DCPS teachers differentiated by grade & subject area to support the effective implementation of e-learning tools• Facilitated 3 trainings at the 2012 Summer Leadership Academy with the Chief of the Office of Curriculum & Instruction for 50 different principals on blended learning pedagogies to support the effective implementation of Common Core Standards in Math• Supported development of K-8 Math Unit Overviews, Scope & Sequence documents, & inclusion of evidence-based instructional strategies for effective implementation of new Common Core standards

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Education, Human Development & Psychology

Dissertation: Promoting Inclusivity with Student-Centered Instructional Approaches: Evaluation of a Course Redesign of Undergraduate.

Master Of Arts - Ma, Education, Human Development & Psychology

Thesis: Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders & Interfering Anxiety: Impact.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Political Science & African American Studies

High Distinction Academic Achievement, Berkeley Model United Nations 501(c)3 Secretary General, Alpha Omicron Pi Vice President, Student.