Clinical Focus


  • Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabities
  • Early onset psychosis and Schizophrenia spectrum disorders
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Psychiatry

Administrative Appointments


  • Co-Director, INSPIRE, Early Psychosis clinic, Stanford University (2019 - Present)
  • Co-Director, Neuropsychopharmacology clinic, Stanford University (2018 - Present)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations


  • President, NCROCAP (2020 - Present)

Professional Education


  • Board Certification, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2017)
  • Board Certification, Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2016)
  • Advanced Trainee, Stanford University, Autism and Developmental Disabilities (2016)
  • Fellowship: University of Kentucky (2015) KY
  • Residency: University of Kentucky College of Medicine Registrar (2013) KY
  • MPH, University of Colorado, Epidemiology (2010)
  • Medical Education: PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (2008) India

Current Research and Scholarly Interests


Autism spectrum disorders

All Publications


  • The ONE Step Initiative: Quality Improvement in a Pediatric Clinic for Secondhand Smoke Reduction PEDIATRICS Bunik, M., Cavanaugh, K. L., Herrick, D., Mehner, L., Venugopalakrishnan, J., Crane, L. A., Puma, J. 2013; 132 (2): E502-E511

    Abstract

    Although comprehensive smoking counseling to limit secondhand smoke (SHS) is widely endorsed, it is often not done. Published evaluations of brief and practical systems that improve screening and counseling to reduce SHS are limited. Our objective was to determine if a quality improvement activity around smoking counseling leads to changes in (1) medical assistant and pediatric provider assessment of smoking history and (2) smoking or other behaviors affecting children's SHS exposure.In a large urban teaching clinic we assessed the ONE Step intervention, which included the following: (1) "Ask" (medical assistant asking whether caregivers smoke); (2) "Advise" (providers advising smoking outside and quitting if ready); (3) "Refer" (providers referring to the Colorado telephone QuitLine); and (4) electronic medical record prompts and required documentation regarding smoking. Medical assistant and provider assessments of smoking were evaluated with a chart review by using a pre-/posttest design. Caregiver behavior change was evaluated with a time-series survey that included assessment at baseline and follow-up via telephone at 6 and 12 months from study entry.ONE Step was associated with a statistically significant increase in Ask, Advise, and Refer documentation. Caregiver surveys showed that 97% found discussions of SHS with providers acceptable. Six- and 12-month follow-ups, respectively, showed that 14% and 13% of smokers reported quitting and that 63% and 70% of current smokers reported reduced SHS exposure.ONE Step was feasible to deliver in a busy outpatient setting, acceptable to families, and appears to have resulted in decreased exposure to SHS in our pediatric population.

    View details for DOI 10.1542/peds.2011-1271

    View details for Web of Science ID 000322957300026

    View details for PubMedID 23858424

  • Physical Exercise in the Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders Lifestyle Psychiatry: Using Exercise, Diet and Mindfulness to Manage Psychiatric Disorders Noordsy, D. L. APA. 2019
  • Medications and Mental Health Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion Martin, C., Venugopalakrishnan, J., Rayapati, A., Gandham, L., Kanga, F. Springer. 2014; 2nd: 417–430