Associate Professor
Translational Research Methodologist
- Application of translational research methods (EEG, eye tracking and other physiological methods)
- Combination of behavioral and psychophysiological methods
- Early career grant applications – K awards (K01, KL2), pre and postdoctoral fellowships (foundations, F32)
I am a developmental psychologist specializing in the application of novel methodologies and approaches to characterize developmental trajectories in individuals with a diagnosis of autism across the lifespan, with a specific focus on sex differences in symptom presentation and underlying mechanisms. I have published extensively in this area, including on the research priorities of autistic women (Putnam et al., 2023) and improving the identification and supports for autistic females (Lai et al., 2023). My current research, funded through NIMH, NICHD and private foundations, focuses on the application of innovative translational research methods to understand observed phenotypic and trajectory differences between males and females with autism.
Education
- PhD, Developmental Psychopathology, University of Manchester (UK), 2011
- MSc, Reading, Language and Cognition (Psychology), University of York (UK), 2007
- BSc, Psychology, University of Durham (UK), 2006
Awards and Honors
- Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Travel Award (2016)
- International Society For Autism Research Travel Award (2015)
- Autism Speaks Toddler Treatment Network Young Investigator
- 2017 NIH Future Research Leader (2017)
- 2022 Spectrum 40 Under 40 Rising Star
Selected Publications
Harrop, C., Hudry, K., Green, J., & the PACT Consortium (online first). Play Complexity and Toy Engagement in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Do Girls and Boys Differ? Autism
Harrop, C., McBee, M., & Boyd, B (2016). How Are Child Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors Associated with Caregiver Stress Overtime? A Parallel Process Multilevel Growth Model. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(5), 1773-1783
Harrop, C., Gulsrud, A., Shih, W., Hovsepyan, L*., & Kasari, C. (2016) Characterizing caregiver responses to restricted and repetitive behaviors in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 20(3), 330-342.
Harrop, C., Gulsrud, A., & Kasari, C. (2015) Does gender moderate core deficits in ASD? An investigation into restricted and repetitive behaviors in girls and boys with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(11), 3644-3655.
Harrop, C. (2015) Evidence-Based Caregiver Mediated Interventions for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Case of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors. Autism, 19(6), 662-672.
Harrop, C., Shire, S., Gulsrud, A., Chang, Y., Ishijma, E., Lawton, K., & Kasari, C (2015). Does gender moderate core deficits in ASD? An investigation into social-communication and play. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(3), 766-777.
Sethi, C., Harrop, C., Zhanq, W., Pritchett, J., Whitten, A., & Boyd. B. (online first). Parent and professional perspectives on behavioral inflexibility in autism spectrum disorders: A qualitative study. Autism
Harrop, C., Amsbury, J, Wright-Towner, S., Reichow, B & Boyd, B. (online first). That’s what I like: The use of circumscribed interests within intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. A systematic review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Harrop, C., Jones, D., Zheng, S., Nowell, S., Boyd, B., & Sasson, N (online first). Sex differences in social attention in autism. Autism Research
Harrop, C., Jones, D., Zheng, S., Nowell, S., Boyd, B., & Sasson, N (online first). Circumscribed interests and attention in autism: The role of biological sex. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Harrop, C., Putnam, O., Klein, C., Tomaszewski, B., Lamarche, E., & Klinger, L. (2024). Are the diagnostic rates of autistic females increasing? An examination of state-wide trends. Journal of Child Psychology Psychiatry. Online ahead of print.
McFayden, T., Harrop, C., Joseph, R., Roell, K., Fry, R.C., & O’Shea, T.M. (2024). Sex Differences in Autistic Youth Born Extremely Preterm: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Online ahead of print.
Lai, M.C., Amestoy, A., Bishop, S., Brown, H.M, Onaiwu, M.G., Halladay, A., Harrop, C., Hotez, E., Huerta, M., Kelly, A., Madgett, K., Miller, D., Nordahl, C.W., Ratto, A.B., Saulnier, C., Siper, P.M., Sohl, K., Zwaigenbaum, L., & Goldman, S. (2023). Improving autism diagnosis in individuals assigned female at birth: Clinical suggestions and research priorities. Lancet Psychiatry, 7(12): 897-908.
Goldblum, J, McFayden, T, Bristol, S, Putnam, O, Wylie, A, & Harrop, C. (2023). Autism Prevalence and the Intersectionality of Assigned Sex at Birth, Race, and Ethnicity on Age of Diagnosis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-15.
Harrop, C., Bodfish, J., Lecavalier, L., Dallman, A. R, Jones, D., Pritchett, J., Whitten, A, & Boyd, B. A. (2023). Refining our Understanding of Anxiety in Autistic Youth: Examining the Role of Behavioral Inflexibility. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-10.
McFayden, T, Putnam, O, Grzadzinski, R., & Harrop, C. (2023). Sex differences in the developmental trajectories of autism spectrum disorder. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 10(1), 80-91.
Putnam, O, Eddy, G, Goldblum, J, Swisher, M, & Harrop, C. (2023). How autistic adults’ priorities for autism research differ by gender identity: A mixed-methods study. Women’s Health, 19, 17455057231160342.
Putnam, O, Sasson, N., Parish‐Morris, J., & Harrop, C. (2023). Effects of social complexity and gender on social and non‐social attention in male and female autistic children: A comparison of four eye‐tracking paradigms. Autism Research, 16(2), 315-326.
Research Interests
- Restricted and repetitive behaviors in ASD
- Sex differences in ASD
- Early intervention
- Translational research methods
- Sex Differences in Autism Across the Lifespan
- Biobehavioral Research Methods
- Longitudinal Designs
Research funding
- 2018 – 2019 – Autism Speaks Central Auditory Processing Disorders Pilot Grant (Investigator). Understanding pathways to auditory processing disorders in infants at high risk for ASD
- 2018 – 2021 NC TraCS KL2 Career Development Award (PI). Female Specific Electrophysiological Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorder
- 2018 – 2019 UNC Pilot Sleep Grant (Co-PI). Applying EEG and Behavioral Methods to Understand Sleep Issues in Infants At-Risk for Autism
- Aug 1 2023 – July 31 2025. Examining the Role of Social Connection in Suicide Risk for Older Autistic Adults: A Mixed Methods Study. National Institutes of Mental Health R21. (Harrop, Klinger, & Chan, MPIs). $427,608.
- March 1 2023 – Feb 28 2025. Using Multimodal Measurement to Examine Developmental Profiles and Sex Differences in the Eating Behaviors of Autistic Children. Eagles Autism Foundation (Harrop and Wallisch, PIs).
- Sept 1 2022 – Aug 31 2027. Autism Center of Excellence: Neurodevelopmental Biomarkers of Late Diagnosis in Female and Gender Diverse Autism. National Institutes of Mental Health NIH ACE Network. (Pelphrey, Kenworthy, & Jacks, MPIs). Site PI.
- September 13 2021 – August 30 2026. Sex, Gender, and Camouflage in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Multimodal, Accelerated Longitudinal Design. National Institute of Child and Human Development R01. PI.
Affiliated groups and grants
- Behavioral Inflexibility in Developmental Disabilities (PI: Boyd)
- CIDD Autism Journal Club
Courses Currently Taught
- DHS 909 – Grant Writing
