About

Lynn Meltzer, Ph.D. is the Director of the Research Institute for Learning and Development (ResearchILD) in Lexington, MA. She is a Fellow and Past-President of the International Academy for Research in Learning Disabilities. She is the Founder and Program Chair of this Annual Learning Differences Conference which she has chaired for 35 years. For 30 years, she was an Associate in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Child Development at Tufts University. Her 40 years of clinical work, research, publications, and presentations have focused on understanding the complexity of learning and attention differences.  

Dr. Meltzer’s extensive publications include articles, chapters and books, most recently, Executive Function in Education: From Theory to Practice (2018), Promoting Executive Function in the Classroom (2010) and The Power of Peers in the Classroom: Enhancing Learning and Social Skills (2015), co-edited with Karen Harris. Together with her ResearchILD staff, she has developed SMARTS, an evidence-based Executive Function and Peer Mentoring/ Coaching Curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students (www.smarts-ef.org). She has been an invited speaker at numerous national and international conferences, including the International Association for Cognitive Education conference in South Africa. She has been honored with a number of awards including the Council for Learning Disabilities Outstanding Research Award and the Innovative Program of the Year Award from CHADD (Children with Attention Deficit Disorders).

View Dr. Meltzer’s CV here.

Mark Logan, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Learning and Development. Mark joined ResearchILD in 2020 and has overall responsibility for strategy, business development and outreach, human resources, operations, fundraising, and the expansion of ResearchILD’s flagship SMARTS Executive Function Curriculum. His priorities also include expansion of one-on-one educational therapy programming for children, adolescents, and young adults.

Previously, Mark served as a public school teacher, principal, and superintendent of a large regional school district for nearly 20 years. Prior to that, he held senior leadership positions in state government and the private sector. Further, Mark has served on numerous state, local, and non-profit boards and committees primarily focused on the health and welfare of children, families, and communities.

Mark earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration at Lesley University where his research centered on cognitive neuroscience and early adolescent development. He earned his Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study in Education Leadership from Harvard University and his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. 

Michael Greschler, M.Ed. has been with ResearchILD since 2011 and serves as the Director of the SMARTS Program. Michael oversees the development and growth of the SMARTS program, leading our curriculum development and instructional design teams and working closely with educators across the US and around the world to develop customized professional development and training programs to support the success of all students.

In addition to his SMARTS work, Michael works as an educational specialist, using executive function strategy instruction to support teenagers and young adults. He is a frequent presenter at workshops, conferences, and webinars and has authored chapters and articles on topics related to executive function. 

Michael holds a Master’s Degree in Education in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Janet Peluso, M.B.A. has been with ResearchILD since 2016 and serves as the Director of Finance. Janet oversees all facets of ResearchILD’s business and financial management operations, including accounting; budgeting and planning; financial analysis and reporting; and contracting.

Over the course of her career, Janet has worked in a variety of roles for a number of nonprofit and health related organizations in the areas of strategic planning, new business development and implementation, project management, financial management and contracting. Prior to joining ResearchILD, Janet served as Vice President of Finance & Contracting for a nationally recognized health care quality improvement organization. Janet began her career as a public accountant at a top accounting firm serving clients in multiple industries, including manufacturing, insurance, nonprofits, and the arts.

Janet holds a Master of Business Administration degree from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Management from the University of Connecticut.

Shelly Levy, M.Ed., M.S. is Director of SMARTS Training and an Educational Specialist and has been with the organization since 2017. As Director of SMARTS Training, Shelly creates and leads professional development training and webinars on executive function strategy instruction and the implementation of the SMARTS Executive Function Curriculum. She also provides coaching to general education and special education teachers across the country. 

As an Educational Specialist, Shelly works with students of all ages, elementary age through college, who struggle with learning, attention, and executive function challenges and provides specialized instruction and academic support in the areas of reading, writing, test preparation, and executive function skills.

Shelly has been in the field of Special Education for over 30 years with the majority of her career as a Director of Support Services. She holds a M.Ed. in Special Education from David Yellin College of Education, Jerusalem and a M.S. in Management from Lesley University. 

Jamie Cutler, M.S. is ResearchILD’s Director of Marketing and Communication. Jamie is responsible for the organization’s marketing activities including the SMARTS Executive Function Curriculum, the Executive Function Conference, professional development workshops, and other educator, parent, and student-focused programs. She also manages a portfolio of SMARTS accounts and is passionate about exploring the intersection between marketing and sales with a commitment to offering an exemplary user experience. 

Jamie holds a B.S. from Cornell University and a M.S. degree from Boston University, College of Communication. She has been a member of the ResearchILD staff since 2010 and has held previous positions in development and event-planning.

Laurel Black, Ed.M., joined ResearchILD in 2023 and serves as SMARTS curriculum designer, teacher trainer, and educational specialist. Laurel contributes to SMARTS curriculum development and instructional design for the student-facing curriculum, and provides training and coaching to school staff and clinicians to implement the SMARTS program. As an Educational Specialist, Laurel works with students who struggle with learning, attention, and executive function challenges and provides specialized instruction and empowerment coaching in the areas of behavior regulation, academic goal-setting, and executive function skills.

Laurel has worked as a special educator for 13 years prior to joining ResearchILD. She began her career as a high school science teacher and special education teacher in Austin, Texas, where she was named “Teacher of the Year” in 2014. After earning her masters degree, she transitioned to middle school special education. She has worked as a special educator with students in grades 5-12, and most recently served for 5 years as a middle school Dean of Student Supports at a charter school in East Boston, Massachusetts.

Laurel has a Masters Degree in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard, a bachelor’s degree in Biology, and a minor in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University. She is a certified practitioner in Collaborative Problem Solving through the ThinkKids Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is currently completing the training requirements to become a certified ADHD coach through JST Coaching.

Jessica Chiusolo, M.Ed. has been with ResearchILD since 2022 and works as a SMARTS Instructional Designer and Professional Development Trainer. Jessica works on SMARTS course design, development, and implementation. She also delivers SMARTS training, consultations, and coaching services for a variety of audiences. 

Jessica has been a classroom educator for over 20 years in both public and private schools while serving on various curriculum and design committees. Her work in Community Engagement and Instructional Design has inspired her to create content that engages all learners. Jessica has also led Professional Development Trainings in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Social Emotional Learning, and STEM initiatives. 

Jessica holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Southern Connecticut State University, along with a certification in Instructional Design and her Professional Educator License. She also had the opportunity to study education abroad in Bath, England at the University of Bath.   

Kim Davis, M. Ed. is ResearchILD’s Instructional Design Lead. Kim is responsible for developing, implementing and managing training curriculum and resources for the SMARTS and SMARTS@Home eLearning programs, including developing the content strategy, course design and development of eLearning modules. Kim monitors all programs to ensure integration of accessibility of educational materials across diverse student populations

Kim holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Fitchburg State College with certifications in Special Education, Elementary Education, and Principal. She has been a member of the ResearchILD staff since 2015 and has held previous roles positions in teaching, school leadership and test development.

Lorissa Gomez, M.B.A. is the SMARTS Operations Coordinator and has been with ResearchILD since 2018. Lorissa manages the administrative and operational tasks of the sales and account management processes for new, existing, and potential SMARTS customers. She works with the ResearchILD team to develop and monitor the systems required for ongoing success and works with existing and potential partners to cultivate and maintain relationships with administrators and SMARTS users.

Previously, Lorissa worked in sales in New York City and as an account manager for a promotional products supplier in Princeton, NJ. She also served as co-president of a small non-profit sending footwear to Catholic orphanages in South Africa. Recently, Lorissa served for four years as the Vice-President of Membership at her local elementary school.

Lorissa received her M.B.A. in Marketing from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ, and earned her B.B.A. in Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Taylor McKenna, M.A., M.Ed. has been with ResearchILD since 2021 and serves as a SMARTS Associate and Educational Specialist. Her work includes developing SMARTS executive function curricula and tools, designing ResearchILD’s EF and Equity Fellowship, and working with students on fostering lifelong EF skills and strategies.

Prior to joining ResearchILD, Taylor was an elementary and later high school special education teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools system and has extensive experience working one-on-one and in small groups with students experiencing EF difficulties. Taylor is also passionate about youth mental health and is committed to partnering with students and families to thoughtfully address the emotional and behavioral needs that often arise alongside students’ EF challenges.

Taylor holds a Master of Education degree in Human Development and Education from Harvard University, a Master of Arts degree and teaching certification in Special Education from Alverno College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Dartmouth College.

Lindsay Pietro, B.S. is ResearchILD’s Educational Sales Specialist for the SMARTS curriculum. Lindsay is responsible for all aspects of the sales cycle within the organization, including training, customer service, and account management. She works closely with the program development and marketing teams on the SMARTS program, as well as professional development and related special events.   

Lindsay holds a B.S. in Business Marketing from Arizona State University. She has been a member of the ResearchILD staff since 2021 and previously worked in development and sales in the K-12 educational sector.

Elizabeth Ross, M.A. is a SMARTS Associate and Media Manager and has been with ResearchILD since 2010. She has had the privilege of teaching the SMARTS curriculum in multiple schools and in helping to transition SMARTS to an online format. Currently, she specializes in online training, professional development, video production, sales, social media management, and event planning. 

Elizabeth holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Emerson College in Boston.

Caitlin Vanderberg, Ed.M., is a SMARTS Associate and an Educational Specialist and has been with the organization since 2020. Caitlin leads the development and piloting of the MetaCOG Surveys & Toolkit and supports various SMARTS curriculum projects. As an Educational Specialist, Caitlin works with elementary and middle school students with learning, attention, and executive function challenges and provides specialized instruction and academic support in areas such as writing and executive function strategy development.

Prior to joining ResearchILD, Caitlin worked as an assistant elementary school teacher and in a one-on-one teaching setting. She has also worked with many arts education programs, including museum education and hands-on art making.

Caitlin holds a B.A. from Amherst College and an Ed.M. in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard University Graduate School of Education.