Melissa Raspa, PhD, studies early childhood education and development with a focus on children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Much of her work has examined the impact of Fragile X syndrome on children and families, including the health and social development of individuals with Fragile X syndrome and family well-being.

Dr. Raspa began working at RTI International in 2005. She currently serves as principal investigator and co-investigator for two ongoing projects on fragile X syndrome, both funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Dr. Raspa also leads the evaluation of the New York – Mid-Atlantic Consortium for Genetic and Newborn Screening Services and collaborates with partners at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a technical assistance project that assists states in examining family outcomes of early intervention. She has received RTI’s Highly Published, Career Author, and President’s awards.