First Year Postdoctoral Fellows
Candace L. Hubbard, PhD
Dr. Candace L. Hubbard (Rhoads) (she/her) is a first-year postdoctoral fellow at CASSI. She earned both her EdS (Educational Specialist) and PhD in School Psychology from the University of Washington. Dr. Hubbard completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship at Avondale Elementary School District in Avondale, Arizona, where she led multidisciplinary evaluations to determine eligibility for special education services under IDEA. Dr. Hubbard’s clinical and research interests center on the early identification and diagnosis of autism, as well as improving systems-level access and reducing systemic barriers to autism diagnostic and treatment services for children in underserved communities. Her dissertation measured individual and socioeconomic factors that impact timing of diagnosis and access to services, with a particular emphasis on disparities in diagnostic age among traditionally underserved populations. In addition to her research, Dr. Hubbard has worked as a certified school psychologist in public schools, supporting families in accessing educational services under IDEA. She is passionate about systems collaboration, particularly in bridging services between educational and medical systems to better support children and families.
Second Year Postdoctoral Fellows
Ashley Addonisio, PsyD
Dr. Ashley Addonisio (she/her) received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from James Madison University. She then went on to receive a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology in Health Service Psychology (Combined Clinical/School) with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Western Carolina University. Her dissertation examined the impact of exposure of different dog breeds on the willingness to engage with that breed in a therapeutic setting. Dr. Addonisio completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship at Virginia Beach City Public Schools where she provided psychological services to individuals with disabilities and performed psychoeducational testing to determine eligibility under IDEA. Her current clinical interests include the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder in young children as well as providing parent training. During fellowship, Dr. Addonisio hopes to enhance her clinical skills in applying evidence-based treatment modalities for youth with autism and/or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Elias Loria, PhD
Dr. Elías Loría (he/him) is originally from Costa Rica. He received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Marketing from the University of the Ozarks in Arkansas. He obtained his Master of Education in Counseling and a Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology from the University of Houston in Texas. Dr. Loría completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship in Behavioral Health at Kennedy Krieger Institute. During his predoctoral internship, Dr. Loría served children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families by providing behavioral therapy services and leading caregiver support groups to reduce parental stress and increase treatment adherence. His clinical interests include the delivery of culturally responsive practices for culturally and linguistically diverse families. During fellowship, Dr. Loría hopes to refine his clinical skills in assessing and treating autism spectrum disorder, particularly when working with Spanish-speaking children and their families.
Previous Fellows
Maura Collins, PsyD
Dr. Collins was a CASSI Psychology postdoctoral fellow from 2020-2022. She currently owns her own private practice in Virginia.
Twanesha Wilcox, PsyD
Dr. Wilcox was a CASSI Psychology postdoctoral fellow from 2021-2023. She currently is a staff psychologist at CASSI.
Yvette Bean, PhD, BCBA
Dr. Bean was a CASSI Psychology postdoctoral fellow from 2022-2024. She currently is a staff psychologist at CASSI.