Kamille Ciara (KC) De la Rosa, a third-year psychology student at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), is currently balancing four separate research projects and multiple leadership roles to prepare for a career in behavior analysis. A first-generation college student, De la Rosa has utilized the university’s McNair Scholars Program and the First-Generation Student Center to bridge the gap between undergraduate study and the requirements of graduate-level psychology research, as reported by UNR.
With only 11 schools with accredited behavior analysis programs, the path to becoming a professional is narrow. For students like De la Rosa, who is targeting master’s and Ph.D. applications for fall 2027, the ability to secure research experience before leaving undergrad is often a factor in admission to these programs.
Bridging Language Gaps in Autism Intervention
One of De la Rosa’s primary research focuses addresses the communication barrier between providers and non-English speaking families. Working under Assistant Professor Bethany Contreras, Ph.D., De la Rosa is contributing to a project titled “Navigating Cultural Contexts and Language Access in Adolescent Autism Interventions: Insights on Diverse Caregiver Perspective.”
The goal is to refine how service providers communicate with multi-lingual caregivers.
“Working at UCAN has allowed me to see the impact of autism diagnostic services from behind the scenes,” De la Rosa said. “I’ve had the opportunity to witness how evaluations impact the lives of diverse communities.”
The Role of Infant Simulators in Caregiver Study
Beyond clinical interventions, De la Rosa is engaged in three ongoing projects within the Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) program. These studies involve Associate Professors Jennifer Mortensen and Samuel Ehrenreich and utilize “baby bots”—infant simulators like one named Ruth.
These simulators allow researchers to study the varying ways of parental/caregiver responses. This allows De la Rosa and her mentors to understand how caregivers respond to various infant cues.
Overcoming the First-Generation Hurdle
De la Rosa entered the research world through the McNair Scholars Program, coached by Jarell Green and Heather Williams. The program, housed under the First-Generation Student Center (FGSC), provides the structural support necessary to manage the transition to graduate school.
De la Rosa now serves as the social media manager for the FGSC, helping other students find community through volunteering and intramural sports.
De La Rosa Balances Teaching and Professional Internships
De la Rosa’s current portfolio extends beyond the classroom into active professional practice. She serves as an undergraduate teaching assistant for Christopher Blair, Ph.D., and holds a student internship at the University Center of Autism (UCAN) and Neurodevelopment, a position she has maintained since her first year.
She also acts as a program delegate for the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). This role connects UNR’s accredited program to a national network of practitioners, providing her with a view of the field she intends to enter. While she is comfortable remaining in Nevada, she is exploring out-of-state options for her doctoral studies in 2027.
The challenge for the field of behavior analysis remains the scarcity of accredited training sites.
