Alec Sweatman
Research Assistant
What does your day-to-day look like as a research assistant?
Day-to-day work with Dr. Leblanc includes reviewing and cleaning datasets, developing graphs, assisting with manuscripts, reviewing literature, and making recruitment calls for her studies. As a BCBA student, I receive weekly supervision from Dr. Leblanc and gain supervision hours at the Lakewood and Arvada centers, with a strong focus on shaping procedures, preference assessments, and other BCBA tasks.
Who inspires you in your role?
As a student and research assistant, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from several supervisors who have shaped my role. Dr. Leblanc has been instrumental in breaking down complex concepts during our one-on-one meetings and deepening my understanding of the impact of specific ABA techniques on the children we work with. As a trainee at the Lakewood and Arvada centers, I’ve had the privilege of working with BCBAs Amelia Dunne, Shannon Barton, Jorie Molina, Michelle Saling, and Britnee Schatz, all of whom have influenced my development and ethical practice.
What do you love the most about working at ABC?
What I love most about working at ABC is seeing the impact and growth in the children I work with. After spending over five years with this population and then shifting toward a business-focused master’s degree, I missed the direct interactions and the opportunity to make a difference in children's and families' lives. ABC has brought that sense of purpose back into my life.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of being a research assistant under Dr. Leblanc is contributing to work that impacts both ABC and the broader field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). As ABA continues to grow, research progression is inevitable, and being part of a field with so much to explore has been incredibly fulfilling.
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