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<\/a><\/a>Jonathan Santoro, MD<\/a>, will serve as Principal Investigator for the combined CHLA\/UCLA site. As Chief of Neurology<\/a> and Co-Director of the Neurological Institute<\/a> at Children\u2019s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Santoro will oversee the collaboration\u2019s research efforts across both institutions. He will work closely with UCLA Co\u2013Principal Investigators Rujuta B. Wilson, MD, MS, and Rajsekar Rajaraman, MD, MS. Together, this formalizes a single site within the integrated network, expanding the ARIA IMPACT Network\u2019s reach on the West Coast and strengthens research infrastructure across Southern California.<\/p> \u201cCHLA is known for excellence in autism and neurodevelopmental care, and this award will help bring research opportunities, cutting-edge therapies, and new interventions to the children and families we serve,\u201d Dr. Santoro said. \u201cIt also strengthens our ability to build trial-ready cohorts and generate the data needed to advance future therapies.\u201d<\/p> Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental conditions are increasing in Los Angeles and across Southern California, reflecting national trends. The need for earlier identification, deeper understanding, and broader access to research continues to grow.<\/p> The ARIA IMPACT Network will follow children over time to better understand how autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions develop and change. By using common evaluations across sites, researchers can collect more consistent data and build a stronger foundation for future clinical trials. This coordinated approach is designed to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into new therapeutic opportunities for children.<\/p> \u201cThis award recognizes CHLA\u2019s leadership in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders and increases our collaboration with UCLA to enhance coordinated research for children and families,\u201d said Alan S. Wayne, MD<\/a>, Pediatrician-in-Chief and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Children\u2019s Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Wayne also serves as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Keck School of Medicine at USC.<\/p> \"The ARIA IMPACT Network was built on the premise that no single institution can generate the scale and quality of evidence this field needs on its own,\" said Ekemini Riley, PhD, Managing Director of ARIA. \"The united team at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and UCLA brings the expertise and dedication that make this kind of coordinated science possible, and we are glad to have them as partners in advancing therapeutic opportunities for autistic people.\"<\/p> About Children\u2019s Hospital Los Angeles<\/b><\/p> In the 125 years since its founding in 1901, Children\u2019s Hospital Los Angeles has been at the forefront of pediatric medicine and a global leader in delivering comprehensive and compassionate care. Today, CHLA is the largest provider of hospital care for children in California, serving one of the largest and most diverse pediatric populations in the United States. For 2025-26, U.S. News & World Report ranks Children\u2019s Hospital Los Angeles tied as the best children\u2019s hospital in the nation, in California, and the Pacific U.S. region. CHLA is among the top 10 children\u2019s hospitals for research funding from the National Institutes of Health; The Saban Research Institute of CHLA supports the full continuum of research, translating scientific discoveries into life-changing treatments for patients everywhere. A renowned pediatric academic medical center, CHLA is home to the Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute, which encompasses education programs throughout the organization. CHLA is also committed to building stronger, healthier communities by enhancing health education and literacy, introducing more people to health care careers, and fighting food insecurity. To learn more, follow CHLA on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, and X<\/a>, and visit CHLA.org<\/a>.<\/p>