Connecticut LEND Faculty and Staff
An important part of Connecticut LEND is the team that supports the program. This team collaborates frequently to ensure that planning and implementation of the LEND program meets the LEND objectives. The following list contains the names, roles and contact information of these team members. They are available to support Trainees and answer any questions, comments or concerns
Mary Beth Bruder PhD
Professor, UCEDD Director,
LEND Director
Email: bruder@uchc.edu
Contact for: Research projects, requirements, approval, absences, general questions
Tina Rhodes, MS, OTR/L
LEND Practicum Coordinator,
Clinical Research Associate
Email: tirhodes@uchc.edu
Contact for: Practicum Questions, Requirements and General Questions
Eliza Mulkern
LEND Graduate Assistant
Email: mulkern@uchc.edu
CT LEND Teaching Assistants (TA)
Our LEND Teaching Assistants are previous LEND Trainees and support LEND students through mentorship and supervision of LEND competencies.
Ajla Ahmetovic
aahmetovic@uchc.edu
Ryan Miela
miela@uchc.edu
McLaine Rutan
rutan@uchc.edu
Lucas Vander Ploeg
lvanderploeg@uchc.edu
Julie-Ann Williams
julwilliams@uchc.edu
CT LEND Discipline Coordinators
Anton Alerte, MD
Pediatrics
Melissa A. Bray, PhD
School Psychology
Kathleen Cienkowski, PhD
Audiology
Maria E. Gyure, MS, LCGC
Genetic Counseling
Tara Lutz, PhD
Public Health
Inge-Marie Eigsti
Clinical Psychology
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
