At the international level we continued to work on a unique interdisciplinary research institute on autism and intellectual disability that involves MSU/ORDS and ten universities (Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, University of Limerick, University of Galway, University of Cork, Manook University, Queen University, and University of Ulster) as partners with the Daughters of Charity Service, in Dublin, Ireland.

Purpose and Design

The new Institute is designed to serve as a center of international research excellence in providing empirical research to help inform policy and practice in the area of intellectual disability. We have begun designing the guiding elements and features of this exciting international research partnership to enhance the productivity, value and sustainability of this highly unique concept.

Donors and Sponsors

In 2013, we received seed funding from the Vice President of Research Office, the Provosts Office and the College of Education at MSU. The funding from MSU will be used to fund three post doc research fellows through the Hegarty Fellows Program and establish a presence in the DOCTRID offices in Dublin. This project has extraordinary potential and we are all excited about the possibilities.

Dr. Michael J. Leahy serves as the Principal Investigator for the MSU DOCTRID initiative, and director of the Hegarty Fellow Program.