Meet Michael P.

Michael P., 22

I believe we need biological understanding and tailored treatment options to supplement our social and community support for people with autism, both as they are diagnosed and as they enter adulthood.
Michael wearing a lab coat

Michael credits his sister Alexa, a 25-year-old with autism, not only with inspiring his career path as an autism researcher, but also with teaching him by example how to be persistent, how to see the best in everyone and how to deliver a joke. Her “chatty, hilarious and fun” personality has even launched other family members into the world of autism; one cousin is an occupational therapist and another a special education teacher.

Michael hugging his sister, Alexa

As an Associate Researcher in the Harony-Nicolas Lab at the Seaver Center for Autism Research and Treatment at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Michael spends his days investigating oxytocin signaling and pathways in the hypothalamus – all with the goal of one day becoming a neurologist or psychiatrist and furthering our biological understanding of autism, so that people with autism can have access to personalized treatment options that enable them to live a brighter life on the spectrum.

He says of his commitment to his work: “I am working in research because I believe we need biological understanding and tailored treatment options to supplement our social and community support for people with autism, both as they are diagnosed and as they enter adulthood.”

The story shared above represents the experience, views and perspectives of the individual(s) highlighted. We aim to share stories across the spectrum and throughout the life span, but the information provided on our website is not a recommendation, referral or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider and does not replace the advice of medical, legal or educational professionals.