Susan M. Rivera

Dean, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Dr. Susan Rivera is Professor of Psychology and Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland.  Dr. Rivera is a current member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IAAC) under the US Department of Health and Human Services. Her research investigates the interplay between genes, brain function and structure, and environment across the lifespan (from infancy to old age). She has been conducting research with autistic individuals, and those with the fragile X spectrum of involvement, for over 20 years. Using brain imaging (EEG/ERP and functional and structural MRI) and eye tracking techniques, she investigates research questions about how underlying brain activity and behavior supports the development of skills (i.e., attention, visual perception, face processing, sensory processing and emotion regulation) necessary for adaptive cognition and social-emotional well-being