Dr. Caleb Hudgins

Dr. Caleb Hudgins is formally trained in behavioral and systems neuroscience and applied behavior analysis (ABA). He earned his Ph.D. in behavioral neuroscience from Rutgers University and an M.S. in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas (UNT). During his graduate training, Dr. Hudgins worked as both an ABA therapist and a research scientist, studying memory, learning, and choice in human and non-human populations. His doctoral research focused on the neurobiology of learning and memory, with particular emphasis on genetic mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity and learned fear.

Before being selected for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, Dr. Hudgins served as Research Director for The Baby Box Company, a health services start-up. There, he evaluated the impact of the company’s services on family and infant health and safety—especially the effectiveness of incentivized education programs promoting safe sleep practices.

As an AAAS Fellow, he was placed at the National Institute of Justice, where he applied insights from neuroscience and the behavioral sciences to advance evidence-based strategies for improving public health and safety. He later brought this systems-focused perspective to roles in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, serving as Director of Research and Development and Director of Grants and Analytics for initiatives integrating ABA and behavior science into early learning, juvenile justice, and child welfare systems for complex learners, including individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Dr. Hudgins currently serves as President of the Child Welfare and Justice Systems Special Interest Group for the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and Vice-Chair of the National Autism Safety Council. As a behavioral systems scientist, community organizer, and project manager, he applies neuroscience, behavior analysis, and implementation science to improve outcomes across justice, education, and public safety sectors.

With more than a decade of leadership experience bridging research, policy, and practice across federal, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial environments, Dr. Hudgins has a proven record of managing million-dollar grants and projects, developing data-driven decision support systems, and advancing bipartisan legislative initiatives. He is dedicated to translating science into actionable policy solutions and creating accessible resources for practitioners, families, and caregivers who support society’s most vulnerable populations.