Sandra Magaña, Ph.D.

Dr. Sandy Magaña, PhD, MSW, holds the Professorship in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin.  Dr. Magaña’s research focus is on the cultural context of families who care for persons with disabilities across the life course. She has received funding for her research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). Dr. Magaña’s current research is on identifying racial and ethnic disparities, and pathways from identification and diagnosis to evidence-based treatment for underserved children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. She is also involved in developing a program to train social work students how to work with people with developmental disabilities and their families, and in developing interdisciplinary student training programs.