Overview
Dr Franz is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, who has served as PI, Co-I, and medical director on autism clinical trials, both behavioral and medical. She has also served as MPI and Co-I on studies using AI/machine learning and medical records to predict the likelihood of autism and late talking and understand developmental trajectories.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
·
2023 - Present
Psychiatry, Child & Family Mental Health & Community Psychiatry,
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Associate Research Professor of Global Health
·
2023 - Present
Duke Global Health Institute,
University Institutes and Centers
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
·
2019 - Present
Duke Institute for Brain Sciences,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Detecting change in a caregiver-mediated autism intervention using the Joint Engagement Rating Inventory.
Journal Article S Afr J Commun Disord · September 26, 2025 BACKGROUND: The Joint Engagement Rating Inventory (JERI) can be used to measure response to early autism intervention. However, little is known about the utility of the JERI outside the United States, where it was developed. A South African study found th ... Full text Link to item CiteAttentional and electrophysiological associations with executive function ability in young autistic children.
Journal Article Sci Rep · July 10, 2025 Difficulties in executive functioning (EF) have been consistently reported in autistic individuals, but less is known about the attentional and neural mechanisms driving these difficulties. We explored the associations between EF abilities and sustained at ... Full text Link to item CiteAssessment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Young Autistic Children.
Journal Article J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol · July 9, 2025 OBJECTIVE: Co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is present for many autistic children and is associated with increased impairments, unique treatment needs, and decreased response to autism-specific interventions. Diagnosing ADHD in ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Duke-NCCU Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Training Program in Child Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Conditions Program (DN-IPT)
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2024 - 2029Duke University Psychiatry Physician-Scientist Residency Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2024 - 2029Electrophysiological biomarkers of social engagement in autism
ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2028View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Stellenbosch University (South Africa) ·
2002
M.B.B.Ch.