Aparna Nair
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Emerging developmental and health psychology researcher with experience in quantitative analysis, mixed-methods research, and community-engaged projects supporting children and families. Focused on early childhood mental health, emotion regulation, and sociocultural influences on development. Skilled in ABA therapy, data-driven research, and culturally informed practice. Founder and Director of Musical Mudra Dance School, bringing strong leadership, mentorship, and socio-emotional development expertise.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & Director
Musical Mudra
Charlotte, North Carolina
10.2021 - Current
- Mentor 60+ students, fostering creativity, confidence, and socio-emotional development.
- Directed performances for regional, cultural, and charitable organizations.
- Adapted instruction to meet developmental and neurodiverse learning needs.
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
ABS Kids
05.2022 - 07.2025
- Delivered ABA therapy for children with autism and developmental disabilities.
- Supported functional communication, adaptive skills, emotional regulation, and behavior intervention plans.
- Developed experience in child behavior, data-driven planning, and clinical communication.
Math and Reading Tutor
Kumon Learning Center
09.2014 - 06.2017
- Facilitated early cognitive development for students aged 3-13.
Volunteer
Penrickton Center for Blind Children
01.2016 - 12.2016
- Assisted visually impaired children in developmental activities.
- Collaborated with other volunteers to create a positive work environment.
Dance Assistant
Natya Dharmi Foundation
Rochester Hills, Michigan
12.2013 - 12.2016
- Assisted foundational classical dance instruction.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC08-2025
Bachelor of Arts - Biological Sciences
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC08-2021
Skills
- Academic writing
- Emotional intelligence
- Mentorship and support
- Cultural competence
Research Experience
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Child & Family Development Lab
UNC Charlotte | 2024–2025
Supervisors: Dr. Laura Armstrong & Dr. Stephanie Potochnick
- Conduct quantitative analysis using STATA, including data cleaning, dataset merging, variable recoding, and regression modeling.
- Integrated Camino Health Center electronic health records with U.S. Census/ACS datasets to examine sociocultural and structural influences on employment and childcare access.
- Investigated employment barriers, childcare disparities, and underemployment among Latina mothers in Charlotte.
- Generated statistical summaries for mixed‐methods interpretation, community reports, and policy memos.
- Collaborated with Camino Research Institute and Camino Health Center on community-engaged, policy‐relevant research.
- Co‐presented research findings at a statewide academic conference.
Conference Presentations
Elmore, M. (Co-presenter), Diaz, K. (Co-presenter), Nair, A. (Co-presenter), Caro, L., Ordonez, S., Gadaire, A., Suclupe, R., Armstrong, L., Potochnick, S., Lessons from a community-university, faculty-student project advancing the labor force participation & childcare resources of Charlotte's Latina mothers., North Carolina Sociological Association Conference, Greensboro, NC, Feb25
Research Interests
• Early childhood mental health & emotion regulation
• Sociocultural determinants of development
• Family risk, parenting behaviors, and caregiver beliefs
• Culturally informed developmental psychology
• Community-engaged research with underserved familiesSociocultural determinants of development
Research Methods & Technical Skills
• STATA (data cleaning, dataset merging, regression analysis)
• Quantitative analysis
• Mixed-methods collaboration
• Community-engaged research frameworks
• Developmental research methodology
• Survey design & coding
• Academic literature synthesis
• Multicultural competence
Languages
- English, Fluent
- Malayalam, Fluent
- Spanish, Conversational
Timeline
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
ABS Kids
05.2022 - 07.2025
Founder & Director
Musical Mudra
10.2021 - Current
Volunteer
Penrickton Center for Blind Children
01.2016 - 12.2016
Math and Reading Tutor
Kumon Learning Center
09.2014 - 06.2017
Dance Assistant
Natya Dharmi Foundation
12.2013 - 12.2016
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of North Carolina At Charlotte
Bachelor of Arts - Biological Sciences
North Carolina State University