Mia Alto is a psychology and management and society double major with a minor in Spanish. Throughout her time at Carolina, she has been involved in many service opportunities in the community, mainly working with three service-oriented UNC organizations: Buckley Public Service Scholars, APPLES Service-Learning, and Alpha Phi Omega, a gender-inclusive service fraternity.

These organizations provided an opportunity for Alto to work with neurodiverse communities, including those on the autism spectrum. These experiences, coupled with prior time spent working in the food service industry alongside friends with varying intellectual and developmental disabilities, sparked in Alto an interest in learning about how researchers at UNC work to understand and support this community.

Knowing that she wanted to gain research experience before graduating from Carolina, Alto was excited to find work with Ann Sam, PhD, a senior research scientist at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG). “After interviewing with Ann and learning more about the impactful projects that she and her team are studying,” says Alto, “I knew this would be an enriching opportunity to work with a caring and inspiring group of individuals.”

Over the past academic year, Alto worked with FPG's autism team reviewing data, refining content, ensuring the quality of implementation and assessment materials, and helping refurbish the AFIRM learning web site by improving and updating evidence-based practice modules. “Mia played a critical role in overhauling and improving the evidence-based practice modules,” says Sam. “Her critical thinking and creativity ensured that these resources were not only accurate but also accessible and user-friendly.”

To acknowledge Alto’s good work, Sam recently nominated her for the 2025 Barbara Davis Goldman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, which Alto won.

“I am honored to provide this statement of support for Mia, whose contributions to our team have been exceptional … Whether reviewing data, refining content, or ensuring the quality of materials," says Sam, "Mia consistently approaches her work with care and commitment.”

In the nomination letter, Sam pointed to Alto’s attention to detail, reliability, and dedication saying, “I am honored to provide this statement of support for Mia, whose contributions to our team have been exceptional … Whether reviewing data, refining content, or ensuring the quality of materials, Mia consistently approaches her work with care and commitment.”

Sam went on to share that Alto is also a kind, compassionate, and collaborative team member who willingly supports others, “Mia’s impact extends beyond her technical expertise. She embodies compassion and dedication, inspiring those around her. Her willingness to assist others and her thoughtful approach to challenges reflect her character and commitment.”

The award, which is named for Barbara Davis Goldman, PhD, a retired senior research scientist at FPG, honors Goldman’s commitment to empowering, mentoring, and teaching Carolina's talented future investigators over her nearly 40-year career. Goldman played a pivotal role in bringing meaningful research experiences to many of Carolina's undergraduate students, offering the opportunity to experience valuable autonomy and creativity as they learned to ask important questions and seek answers.

"The FPG autism team is stacked with knowledge, curiosity, and care, drawing on years of experience as early childhood teachers and interventionists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and autism community advocates," says Alto." So, to the entire team, I say thank you for the insightful perspectives on your professions and journeys, sweet treats, study snacks, support, and good humor. For me, this award is a reflection of the robust and supportive community you have fostered at FPG.”

When asked what it meant to her to receive this award, Alto had this to say:

“I truly did not expect to receive such an award, but ever since reading about Dr. Barbara Davis Goldman and this award in her honor, I have become increasingly reflective of my mentors at FPG, who have supported me this year in ways both big and small. Ann has proven her commitment to FPG’s autism team—even since before I joined the team—with intention, grace, and humor. Even through our Zoom call interview, I was assured that FPG would be another safe place on campus where I would be supported holistically as a team member, student, and person, and throughout the year, she has been a go-to person for all things career and personal development.

The FPG autism team is stacked with knowledge, curiosity, and care, drawing on years of experience as early childhood teachers and interventionists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and autism community advocates.  So, to the entire team, I say thank you for the insightful perspectives on your professions and journeys, sweet treats, study snacks, support, and good humor. For me, this award is a reflection of the robust and supportive community you have fostered at FPG.”

After graduation, Alto is headed to Vermont to serve as a cabin counselor at Camp Akeela, a traditional sleepaway camp program specifically tailored to "quirky" kids ages 9-17―many of the campers identify on the autism spectrum or with other forms of neurodivergence such as ADHD/ADD and other social-based learning differences. Alto will be there to support Akeela's pillars of friendship, community, growth, pride, and fun as she assists the campers throughout the activities of each day.

Sam says this opportunity reflects Alto’s dedication to promoting equity and providing meaningful support to others. She also believes Alto has a bright future ahead.

“Mia’s future is bright, and her passion for advocating for and supporting individuals with disabilities will undoubtedly guide her toward making a lasting impact,” says Sam. “Her dedication, skill, and compassion will continue to make her a remarkable force for positive change in the lives of those she serves.”

“Mia’s future is bright, and her passion for advocating for and supporting individuals with disabilities will undoubtedly guide her toward making a lasting impact,” says Sam. “Her dedication, skill, and compassion will continue to make her a remarkable force for positive change in the lives of those she serves.”

Previous Award Winners

Read articles about our previous award winners:

2023  |  Iris Kang, 2023 recipient of FPG's Barbara Davis Goldman Award
2022  |  Hannah Spitzer receives FPG's Barbara Davis Goldman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research
2021  |  Samantha Garcia Cruz receives FPG's Barbara Davis Goldman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research
2020  |  Student Researcher Anna Morgan Receives FPG's First Ever Barbara Davis Goldman Award