Implementation Science Team

Chavis Lickvar-Armstrong, Ph.D.

Chavis Lickvar-Armstrong, Ph.D. is an Associate Researcher at the Center for Public Partnerships and Research, which is part of the Achievement and Assessment Institute at the University of Kansas. Her role involves providing support for the implementation and evaluation of programs that are funded through the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program.

Andrea Ford, Ph.D.

Maria Hugh, Ph.D.

Dr. Maria Hugh is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas. An early childhood special educator and board-certified behavior analyst by training, Dr. Hugh focuses on improving outcomes for young children with developmental disabilities by partnering with pre- and in-service educators to teach and learn about feasible and effective practices in inclusive early learning contexts. Currently, to support the generalized and sustained use of effective practices for all young children, her research aims to 1) identify usable practices that improve learning opportunities, 2) explore individual and organizational implementation mechanisms, and 3) test professional development supports that facilitate intervention decision-making and implementation. In pursuit of these aims, Dr. Hugh partners with schools and communities using mixed methods approaches.

Erin Lawrence

Erin holds a Master's in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Kansas and has spent her professional career supporting children birth to five years through direct service provision, family support, early care and education provider coaching, community collaboration, and development/facilitation of Baby Sing and Sign (supporting language and social-emotional learning through sign language and play). Erin is passionate about our littlest learners and believes early childhood is deserving of great care and investment. She lives in Lawrence with her husband and their three amazing daughters.

Ana Paula Martinez

Ana Paula is a PhD student in the Early Childhood Unified, Special Education program. Originally from Mexico, AP is also a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and an ECI clinic owner (Kommati). She has spent the past decade advocating for inclusion and opportunities for evidence-based practices for young children. Her research interests are positive behavior supports, caregiver and family training, cultural adaptations, and intervention accessibility and dissemination.

Andrea Nelson, MSE

Andrea Nelson, MSE has spent the last two decades in the field of early childhood special education providing services to young children and their families as a classroom teacher, itinerant service provider, and early childhood coach. She is a trainer and coach in Routines Based Interview, Getting Ready Strategies, and Coaching in Early Intervention.

Fuyanan Shi

I am currently a master’s student in the Early Childhood Unified program. I am interested in the quality assessment of inclusive settings and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs). I have gained experience working in various types of early childhood education settings.