Our Goals
About the Y1 Initiative
The Y1 (Year One) Initiative is an interdisciplinary, cross-sector effort to address foundational challenges in early childhood development, caregiver well-being, and system-level change during the first 12 months of life.
By focusing on this critical window, Y1 aims to improve long-term health, cognitive development, and emotional resilience—beginning with the earliest days.
Core pillars:
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Cross-sector partnerships
- Principled innovation
Technology as a cornerstone
Reduce disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes
Leverage real-world data like 750M+ hours of infant sleep to power insights
Train early childhood professionals and strengthen caregiver networks
Shape evidence-based policy through strategic collaborations
Create replicable models that align with ASU’s charter for inclusive, measurable impact
Our Approach
We start with the evidence. Then we build partnerships, platforms, and products that reflect the lived experience of families and communities. Y1 doesn’t deliver services—we design and connect systems that do.
Who We Are
ASU Studios serves as the connective tissue and strategic backbone for the Y1 Initiative—curating interdisciplinary leadership, securing catalytic partnerships, and amplifying the work.
Co-Chairs
- Judith Karshmer Dean, Professor, & ASU Chief Wellness Officer, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
- Michael Yudell Dean & Professor, College of Health Solutions
Steering Committee
- Alan Arkatov Executive Director, Learning Transformation Studios; Senior Advisor to President Crow
- Randy Burd Vice President of Innovation and Professor, ASU Health
- Lev Gonick Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Technology
- Björg LeSueur Clinical Associate Professor, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
- Christian Osmeña Vice President, Enterprise Planning
- Nate Wade Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Operating Officer
- Claudia Wiedeman Deputy Director, Learning Transformation Studios
Advisory Group
- Cady Berkel Associate Professor, College of Health Solutions
- Rizwana Biviji Associate Teaching Professor, College of Health Solutions
- Pauline Davies Professor of Practice, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication
- Amanda Esperas Clinical Assistant Professor, DNP Program; Faculty Associate, Edson College
- Cora Fox Associate Dean Health Humanities, Course Director Health Humanities and Associate Professor, John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering
- Rachel Gur-Arie Assistant Professor, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
- Aaron Krasnow Associate Vice President/Director, ASU Health Services and Counseling Services
- Craig Laser Assistant Dean, Strategic Initiatives and Alliances, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
- Ellen Levy Senior Advisor to President Crow, Executive Administration
- Megan Petrov Associate Professor, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
- Swapna Reddy Assistant Dean and Clinical Professor, College of Health Solutions; Clinical Professor and Co-Course Director, John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering
- Corrie Whisner Professor, College of Health Solutions
Join Us in Transforming the First Year
Whether you're a researcher, funder, policymaker, or systems leader—if you're committed to building better beginnings for every child, there’s a role for you in the Y1 Initiative.