Our Goals
The Y1 Initiative: Transforming the First Year of Life
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 ASU Learning Transformation Studios
- Randy Burd Health Academic Executive and Professor, Office of the Provost
- 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
Advisory Group
- Cady Berkel Associate Professor, College of Health Solutions
- Rizwana Biviji Assistant Teaching Professor, College of Health Solutions
- Pauline Davies Professor of Practice, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication
- Amanda Esperas Clinical Assistant Professor, DNP Program
- Cora Fox Associate Professor, Dept. of English and School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering
- Nika Guec Executive Director, Center for Mindfulness, Compassion and Resilience/Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
- Rachel Gur-Arie Assistant Professor, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
- Aaron Krasnow Associate Vice President, Staff Administration
- Craig Laser Assistant Dean, Strategic Initiatives and Alliances, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
- Ellen Levy Advisor to President Crow, Executive Administration
- Kimberly Merritt Vice President, Learning Enterprise
- Megan Petrov Associate Professor, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
- Swapna Reddy Assistant Dean and Clinical Associate Professor, College of Health Solutions
- Corrie Whisner Associate Professor, College of Health Solutions
- Amy Woof Senior Director, Corporate Engagement & Strategic Partnerships
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.