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Human Development and Child Studies

Human Development and Child Studies
456 Pioneer Drive
Rochester , MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-3077
Fax: (248) 370-4242
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KAT LAB

The KAT Lab is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals who engage in severe problem behavior. We utilize rigorous and innovative translational research methodology to solve problems of societal importance.

For additional information, contact Dr. Michael Kranak at [email protected].

Michael Kranak, PhD, BCBA-D

Assistant Professor | Director of Research

Michael Kranak Headshot

Michael Kranak, Ph.D., BCBA-D is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Research for the Center for Autism at Oakland University. Prior to joining Oakland University, he was a researcher and clinician at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He earned his Ph.D. in Psychology and Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University, M.A. in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from The Ohio State University, and B.A. in Psychology from West Virginia University.

His research interests include applied and translational investigations of relapse, the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior, and behavioral technology in supervision and higher education. Dr. Kranak has accrued and serves as Principal Investigator (PI) or Consortium PI on nearly $2 million in funding for his research and clinical endeavors. He has also served as an NIH review panel member for the Child Psychopathology and Developmental Disabilities study section. Additionally, Dr. Kranak is an Associate Editor for Behavior Analysis in Practice, Guest Editor for a special issue in Behavioral Sciences, Guest Associate Editor for Education and Treatment of Children; and currently serves on the Board of Editors for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Single-Case in the Social Sciences, and as an ad hoc reviewer for several other journals. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, cooking, golfing; and is an avid Pittsburgh sports fan.

Harper Kroll

Graduate Research Assistant

Head shot of Harper Kroll

Harper is a first year Master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Oakland University. She earned her BS in Psychology from Western Michigan University in 2024. She has worked with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a variety of settings such as ABA clinics and elementary schools.

Kayla Knoche, BS

Graduate Research Associate

Headshot of Kayla Knoche

Kayla Knoche is a first-year graduate student in Oakland’s MEd ABA program. She earned her B.S. in neuroscience at Michigan State University, graduating in 2022. She has worked in ABA centers for the past couple of years and loves it! Her research interests include behavioral intervention techniques and technological advances in the field of ABA to better treat and understand individuals with disabilities.

Kolbe and Pio

KAT Lab Cats

Photo of two cats - Kolbe and Pio

Kolbe and Pio are 1-year-old Domestic Short Hairs and the mascots of the KAT Lab. They enjoy playing, attending Zoom meetings, walking on keyboards, napping, and listening to the human members of the KAT Lab discuss behavior-analytic research and clinical cases.

Lauren Bedell

Graduate Clinical Associate

Head shot of Lauren Bedell

Lauren is a second-year Master’s student in the Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis program at Oakland University. She earned her B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies from Michigan State University in 2021. She’s worked with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across a variety of settings including outpatient clinics and schools.

Megan Wessel

Graduate Research Associate

Head shot of Megan Wessel

Megan is a second-year graduate student in Oakland University’s ABA program. She earned her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Windsor in 2023. She has known this is her calling since she volunteered in the field of special education when she was 7 years old. She has worked as a behavior technician and trainer in home-based settings since she was 17 years old. She has worked with individuals aged 2 to 46 with developmental disabilities and is looking forward to meeting many more in the future.

Meredith Stephens

Graduate Research Associate

Head shot of Meredith Stephens

Meredith is a first-year graduate student in the Applied Behavioral Analysis program at Oakland University. She has earned her B.S. in Health and Exercise Science from Oakland University in 2020. Her behavioral experience began in school settings and she now works in ABA as a Registered Behavior Technician. She is excited to continue learning more about problem behaviors and functional communication.

Morgan Horning

Graduate Clinical Associate

Head shot of Morgan Horning

Morgan is a first-year Master’s student in the Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis program at Oakland University. She earned her B.S. in Education from Bowling Green State University in 2022. She’s worked primarily in classroom settings, including both special and general education settings, as both an instructor and as a behavioral consultant.

Murray

KAT Lab Cat Emeritus (2018-23)

Image of Murray the cat

Murray was a four-year-old Tabby and the inaugural mascot of the KAT Lab. He en-joyed sleeping, watching birdies out the window, and listening to the human members of the KAT Lab discuss research.

Selected Publications

Kranak, M. P., & Falligant, J. M. (2023). Treatment integrity, commission errors, and reinstatement: A primer. Education and Treatment of Children, 46(3), 249–262.

Kranak, M. P., & Brown, K. R. (2023). Updated recommendations for reinforcement schedule thinning following functional communication training. Behavior Analysis in Practice. Advance online publication.

Kranak, M. P., Andzik, N. R., Jones, C., & Hall, H. (2023). A systematic review of supervision research related to board certified behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16(4), 1006–1021.

Kranak, M. P. (2022). Put out the fire before it spreads: On equipping behavior analysts with strategies to mitigate burnout. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 22(4), 404–406.

Kranak, M. P., Rooker, G. W., Carr, C. J., Bradtke, P., Falligant, J. M., & Hausman, N. L. (2021). Evaluation of accepted and rejected submissions in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis: Gender and experience. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(3), 1175–1187.

​Falligant, J. M., Kranak, M. P., McNulty, M. K., Schmidt, J. D., Hausman, N. L., & Rooker, G. W. (2021). Prevalence of renewal of problem behavior: Replication and extension to an inpatient settingJournal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(1), 367-373.

Andzik, N. R., & Kranak, M. P. (2021). The softer side of supervision: Recommendations when teaching and evaluating behavior-analytic professionalismBehavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 21(1), 65-74.

For additional information, view Dr. Kranak’s full list of publications.

Broadly, our research aims to improve the lives of individuals who engage in severe problem behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury). This is accomplished through two primary research lines: (1) refining behavioral assessment and treatment methods and (2) improving and enhancing training strategies for intervention agents.

We also focus on and foster partnerships with local clinics, hospitals, and school districts.

Those interested in our recent and current projects can view the "Publications" tab or contact Dr. Kranak.

Supervision
To date, Dr. Kranak's supervisees and mentees have a 100%, first-time pass rate on the BCBA exam. Individuals interested in obtaining supervision are encouraged to email Dr. Kranak to discuss rates and availability. Remote supervision, as well as in-person supervision in Southeastern Michigan are available.

Collaborations
We are always looking to expand our collaborative partnerships. Individuals interested in establishing consultative or research partnerships are strongly encouraged to contact us.

  • Brandon Nguyen (2021–24)
    • Psychiatry Resident, Corewell Health Deaborn Hospital
  • Chloe Jones (2021–23)
    • BCBA, Healing Haven Behavioral Health & Autism Therapy Services
  • Paige Girdley (2021–24)
    • Family Medicine Resident, Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital
  • Sadie Hughes (2021–23)
    • BCBA, INSPIRE Autism
  • Vali Hakeem (2020–23)
    • Graduate Student, Wayne State University