Floreo Launches Scientific Advisory Board to Advance Evidence-Based VR Therapy for Neurodivergent Learners

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Floreo, a pioneering developer of virtual reality (VR)-based therapy for neurodivergent youth and adults, is proud to announce its inaugural scientific advisory board. Comprising six leaders across behavioral health research, clinical practice, and healthcare delivery, the board is chaired by Dr. Paula Pompa-Craven, chief clinical officer of Easterseals Southern California--the largest provider of disability services in California.

"There is a real urgency and demand for accessible, effective, and evidence-based interventions that can serve individuals living with autism. We see a tremendous opportunity for collaboration across the scientific, clinical, and technology communities. Early evidence suggests tremendous promise for virtual reality as a vehicle for therapeutic support, and we're honored to collaborate with such distinguished experts to ensure our work is grounded in clinical rigor," said Vijay Ravindran, CEO and founder of Floreo. "Their research and insights will help guide the continued development of our technology to better serve the neurodiverse community."

Utilized in both clinical and school settings, Floreo's immersive VR lessons support the development of social, behavioral, communication, emotional regulation, and life skills for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and other diagnoses. In 2023, Floreo became the first VR autism technology to receive the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) breakthrough device designation.

The scientific advisory board will provide strategic direction on research initiatives, clinical study design, and the continued scientific validation of Floreo's VR-based learning tools. The board convened for its first meeting at the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) conference and will serve as a guiding pillar for Floreo's growing research portfolio.

Founding members of the scientific advisory board include:

• Paula Pompa-Craven, Psy.D., Chief Clinical Officer of Easterseals Southern California
  • Dr. Paula Pompa-Craven, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in assessment and diagnosis of autism and other developmental disabilities. She has been with Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) since 1995 and supported several different service lines before becoming Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer of ESSC's Autism Therapy Services. Paula supervises a staff of over 1,400, which provides applied behavior analysis, speech, physical, and occupational therapy services to over 19,000 individuals with autism and their families annually.
• Retired U.S. Army Major General Elder Granger, M.D.
  • Retired U.S. Army Major General Elder Granger, M.D. is currently the president and CEO of THE 5Ps, LLC, a health care, education, and leadership consulting organization. Before he retired from the U.S. Army in 2009, MG Granger served as the Deputy Director and Program Executive Officer of the TRICARE Management Activity, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), Washington, D.C. In this role, he was the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) on Department of Defense health plan policy and performance and led a staff of 1,800 in ensuring high-quality, accessible healthcare for 9.2 million uniformed and retired service members, their families, and others worldwide. MG Granger led the largest U.S. and multi-national battlefield health system in our recent history while serving as Commander Task Force 44th Medical Command and Command Surgeon for the Multinational Corps Iraq. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Board of Hematology and Oncology. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Arkansas State University in 1976 and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1980. MG Granger also received an honorary Doctor of Science Degree from Meharry Medical College.
• Dr. Rhonda Moore, PhD, Autistic Cultural and Medical Anthropologist
  • Dr. Rhonda Moore is an Autistic cultural and medical anthropologist, and a program director for the All of Us Research Program at the NIH. Most of her work has focused on lived experiences of pain and physical and invisible disability across the lifespan (healthy populations, cancer patients, and survivors, and in diverse palliative care contexts). Prior to All of Us, she served as a Program Director in Global Mental Health at NIMH and program lead for the digital global mental health technology program. She also served as a Scientific Review Officer at the NCI. She also spent over eight years as a social scientist and reviewer at the US FDA working across diverse regulatory products (drugs, tobacco, devices). She shares her lived experiences as a late identified Autistic adult through podcasts, poetry and talks.
• Anna Moznavsky, M.A., BCBA, SVP of Clinical Operations and Quality, Center for Social Dynamics
  • Anna Moznavsky serves as the Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations and Quality at the Center for Social Dynamics (CSD), where she leads the organization's clinical quality initiatives and oversees clinical growth and retention. Anna established CSD's Board of Clinical Quality and spearheaded the creation of the organization's internal research department and its own Institutional Review Board (IRB). She also founded CSD University, a comprehensive training and development platform designed to elevate clinician new hire training and promotion pathway training. With over two decades of experience working with autistic individuals, Anna began her journey as a volunteer and has been a BCBA since 2012. Additionally, she served a three-year term on the Catalight Care Advisory Board. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving client outcomes, advancing clinical excellence, and mentoring the next generation of behavioral health professionals
• Marsha Stepensky, MS.Ed., BCBA, Director of Therapy Content, Floreo
  • Marsha Stepensky is a seasoned clinician and educator with over 18 years of experience across educational, clinical, and community settings. She currently serves as the Director of Therapy Content at Floreo, where she leads the design and implementation of VR therapy lessons rooted in evidence-based practices. Previously, Marsha spearheaded the development and launch of a multidisciplinary Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinic for individuals aged 3–21 at a pediatric hospital in Washington, D.C. In that role, she created and led hospital-wide training programs on behavior management policies and crisis intervention, while also shaping onboarding and supervision protocols for behavioral health staff. Marsha has a special interest in sexuality and sexuality education and has worked internationally to train parents and professionals on effective strategies for teaching this topic to young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She is passionate about ensuring access, equity, and dignity in all areas of support.
• Shirley Mak-Parisi, Vice President of Clinical Affairs, Floreo
  • Shirley Mak-Parisi is a clinical research professional with over 20 years of experience. Prior to joining Floreo, Shirley led clinical operations for medical device companies and behavioral health tech startups. She has a keen eye for data and a passion for evidence-based programs while navigating the complex intersection of science, regulation, and patient safety. Shirley brings rigor, integrity, and a touch of practical wit to every project she tackles. She enjoys diving into the details, staying curious, and asking the questions that lead to smarter answers. Whether orchestrating multi-site trials or writing protocols, she's driven by a belief that good research and data lead to better care—and ultimately, healthier lives.

To learn more about Floreo, visit floreovr.com.

About Floreo
Floreo's vision is a world that is open and accessible for every neurodiverse person. Its mission is to create the first behavioral therapy metaverse, a virtual world that is safe for learners, equipping them with skills and tools they can apply in their everyday lives. Floreo has developed a virtual reality platform that teaches social, behavioral, communication, and life skills for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and other neurodiverse conditions. For more information, please visit floreovr.com.

SOURCE Floreo