About – Wilson Motor Lab

About Us

The Wilson Motor Lab at UCLA CART

The Wilson Motor Lab is led by Dr. Rujuta Wilson, a behavioral child neurologist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs). The research conducted at the Wilson Motor Lab aims to (1) develop quantitative methods of motor phenotyping to improve characterization of motor development in neurodevelopmental disorders, (2) better understand how impairments in motor skills can impact cognition and language, and (3) develop interventions that target motor impairments for individuals with NDDs. We use innovative technology and advanced analytical techniques to characterize and evaluate motor function and development in infancy through adulthood. Our work also extends to measuring the benefits of organized physical activity for children with NDDs. We collaborate with local and national sports organizations to measure the impact of these programs. In October 2019, Dr. Wilson helped establish the Expressive Movement Initiative at UCLA, a dance program that aims to introduce the art of creative movement and dance to children with NDDs.

Meet Our Team

Rujuta Wilson, MD, MS

Principal Investigator

Dr. Rujuta B. Wilson is a behavioral child neurologist specializing in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). She is an Associate Professor-in-Residence in Pediatric Neurology and Psychiatry at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) and the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART). She leads the motor phenotyping core of CART and is also a member of the UCLA Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) phenotyping core.

After completing a combined BA/MD program at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr. Wilson completed residency in pediatrics and child neurology at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. Dr. Wilson was then the recipient of the Savant Behavioral Neurology Fellowship and completed her behavioral child neurology fellowship at UCLA CART. Dr. Wilson has been committed to research and clinical care for individuals with NDDs and neurogenetic conditions since medical school when she received a Child Neurology Foundation medical student grant to engage in clinical care and research for individuals with NDDs.

Dr. Rujuta B. Wilson is a behavioral child neurologist specializing in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). She is an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Neurology and Psychiatry at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) and the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART). She leads the motor phenotyping core of CART and is also a member of the UCLA Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) phenotyping core.

Dr. Wilson’s research is focused on developing quantitative methods of motor phenotyping with the overarching goals of 1) improving characterization of motor development in individuals with developmental disabilities, 2) better understanding how specific motor differences can impact cognition and language, and 3) developing more targeted interventions for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Her NIH-funded research evaluates motor development in individuals with developmental disabilities across a lifespan.

Dr. Wilson’s work also extends to measuring the physical and behavioral benefits of organized physical activity for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Through her clinical practice, Dr. Wilson recognized that motor difficulties experienced by individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities often leads to less engagement in physical activity, which can ultimately have long-term negative impacts on health and wellness. She also recognized the paucity of inclusive and adaptive physical activity interventions available for individuals with developmental disabilities. To target these issues, Dr. Wilson and Ms. Emily Coker (former UCLA medical student and founder of the Expressive Movement Initiative) launched the UCLA chapter of the Expressive Movement Initiative (EMI) in October 2019, a program designed to introduce the art of creative movement and dance to children with developmental disabilities. Dr. Wilson currently serves as the Neurology Node Director of the HRSA Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P). A primary study associated with the AIR-P Neurology Node is a dance intervention for children with developmental disabilities between the ages of 4-17 years old using the EMI model.

Nationally, Dr. Wilson serves as a member on the United States Tennis Association Adaptive Committee. As an invited member of the American Academy of Neurology Education Committee, Dr. Wilson serves on numerous workgroups and subcommittees to improve training and education in neurology. Dr. Wilson is also pediatrics and neurology faculty for the UC-LEND program. She is also the chair of the Best Practices Committee for ACEing Autism, a national organization providing weekly tennis classes to children with ASD.

Dr. Wilson has been selected as a Los Angeles Times Super Doctor, Southern California Rising Stars, and as a Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctor.

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Suhani Hingar

Clinical Research Coordinator

I am a Clinical Research Coordinator at UCLA Health with a background in Biology and Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. My work focuses on clinical research in rare genetic disorders, urology, and neuroscience, with a particular interest in leveraging emerging technologies, medical devices, and collaborative research to better understand complex health conditions. Outside of work, I enjoy rock climbing, binge-watching Bollywood movies, and experimenting with new matcha recipes.

David Song

Staff Research Associate

I graduated from UCLA in 2026 with a major in Math of Computation and minor in Biomedical Research. I first joined the Wilson Lab in 2025 as an undergraduate through my Biomedical Research Minor mentor Dr. Clark, and I am now here full time working on processing and analysis methods for sensor data and 2D and 3D pose estimation. Outside of research, I love playing tennis, hiking, running, and exploring new restaurants in LA!

Sonia Tran

Staff Research Associate

Sonia graduated from UCLA with a degree in Biology and began working with the Wilson Motor Lab as an undergraduate volunteer before joining as a staff member. As a Tarjan Center trainee and recipient of the Autism Science Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship, she studies motor development as an early marker for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Outside of research, Sonia works as a Behavior Interventionist for children with autism and a Certified Nursing Assistant supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. She also volunteers with KEEN LA coaching sports for disabled youth, and serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the LA County child welfare system. She hopes to pursue a career in developmental-behavioral pediatrics. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and building LEGO sets!

Anne Combredet

Staff Research Associate

During her third year at UCLA, Anne spent six months in France working full-time with children on the autism spectrum, solidifying her passion for developmental psychology and supporting children and their families. She became particularly interested in early childhood development and the ways in which research can inform interventions for young children with developmental differences. After graduation, she joined the NIH-funded HBCD study, gaining experience working with infants and postpartum mothers. She later transitioned to the Wilson Motor Lab to reconnect her interest in developmental differences with early child development. She now coordinates the PROMISE Study, a longitudinal study of infants with an older autistic sibling. Passionate about early intervention, Anne hopes to continue supporting children of all abilities and their families throughout her career. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring LA’s farmers markets, cooking, camping, and spending time in the ocean.

Viviana Rodriguez

Clinical Research Coordinator

Driven by a desire to support others, Viviana decided to purse psychology and sociology at the University of California, Irvine. She found that psychology allowed her to understand individual behavior and mental processes, while sociology gave her the insight into the social structures and systemic issues that affect those individuals. Following graduation, Viviana found herself drawn to the field of research because it drives evidence-based policy change that can lead to systemic changes and improve the quality of life of many. When she is not working, she is spending time with her fiancé, dog, and cat. On the weekends, she enjoys teaching and developing her ceramics practice, trying new recipes, and engaging in water-based activities.