I am a developmental psychologist working at the intersection of global health, implementation science, and digital innovation. As a scientific advisor to the World Health Organization and Core Contributor in the development of the WHO Caregiver Skills Training program, I lead and contribute to national and international clinical trials and multisectoral collaborations aimed at strengthening early childhood and neurodevelopmental services worldwide. My work focuses on designing, evaluating, and scaling evidence-based, culturally adaptable interventions that can be integrated into diverse health, education, and social care systems. This includes advancing digital and hybrid delivery models, developing technology-supported training tools, and leveraging digital platforms to expand workforce capacity and reach families in low-resource settings. I collaborate with governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions to build sustainable service models that combine rigorous methodology with practical feasibility. My current efforts include integrating digital learning, remote coaching, and data-informed implementation strategies to support the large-scale adoption of family-centered interventions and to promote equitable access to high-quality developmental support.

Publications

Washington-Nortey, M., Mwangome, E., Demissie, M., Angwenyi, V., Lewa, V., Ombech, E., et al. (2026). Harmonizing adapted interventions across contexts: lessons from harmonizing the World Health Organization’s Caregiver Skills Training in Ethiopia and Kenya. TRANSLATIONAL BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 16(1) [10.1093/tbm/ibag003]. Detail
De Leonardis, G., Vanoncini, M., Gatti, G., Arnoldi, A., Gabbiadini, A., Fioravanti, M., et al. (2025). Meet Kica: Design, prototyping and user testing of a mobile application based on the WHO Caregiver Skills Training. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, 161(June 2025) [10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104978]. Detail
Vanoncini, M., Cattaneo, M., Falcone, G., Fioravanti, M., Leonardis, G., Zampini, L., et al. (2025). Setting the Stage for an App-Based Caregiver-Mediated Intervention for Autism: Findings from A Stakeholder Consultation. JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS [10.1007/s10803-025-06890-0]. Detail
Dababnah, S., Zeleke, W., Chung, Y., Antwi Adjei, R., Dixon, P., Salomone, E. (2025). Outcomes of the World Health Organization’s Caregiver Skills Training Program for Eritrean and Ethiopian parents of autistic children in the United States. AUTISM, 29(12), 2941-2954 [10.1177/13623613251351345]. Detail
Wechsler, D., Jones, E., Pasco, G., Bazelmans, T., Begum-Ali, J., Johnson, M., et al. (2025). Parent–child similarity on autism and ADHD traits and children's social functioning and psychological well-being at 3 years. JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, 66(12), 1818-1828 [10.1111/jcpp.70014]. Detail

Research projects

KICA

Year: 2025

Grantors: FONDAZIONE IMPRENDI - SCUOLA DI IMPRENDITORIALITA' - E.T.S.