Alex Bey, a career in autism research and child psychiatry grew from a lifelong interest in science, a love of learning, and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
Originally from a suburb of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Alex has spent most of her life in the state, with memorable experiences studying abroad in Toulouse, France, and working as a laboratory technician at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Although she once envisioned becoming a veterinarian, her path changed during college when she realized that caring for people was a better fit. While at UNC, she discovered a passion for research in a plant genetics laboratory and has enjoyed exploring many different areas of science ever since. Her interest in autism began during a pediatrics rotation, where she was drawn to caring for children with complex neurodevelopmental conditions.
Since arriving at Duke in 2008, Alex has completed the MD-PhD program, general psychiatry residency, and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship. Today, she is focused on completing data collection for the COMET study and related sub-studies, analyzing the results, and preparing to submit her first independent R01-level research grant.
One of Alex's favorite aspects of working at the Duke Autism Center is being part of an interdisciplinary team. She enjoys learning from colleagues with diverse expertise and values every opportunity to connect with the children and caregivers who participate in research studies. She especially enjoys working with preschool-aged children and hearing caregivers share their unique perspectives during study interviews.
Beyond her research, Alex helps co-lead the Autism Center seminar series, coordinating speakers and fostering engagement with a growing audience from around the world. She also coordinates shadowing opportunities for undergraduate students in the Duke Autism Clinic, helping introduce future physicians to the field of autism care and research.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys cooking, trying new recipes, and spending time with her family. Recently, her children have started taking on more responsibility in the kitchen, sometimes preparing dinner on their own. While the results have been delicious, Alex says the experience has also taught her the value of patience and the importance of stepping back and letting others grow.
Whether she is mentoring students, supporting families, advancing autism research, or encouraging her children’s independence, Alex brings curiosity, compassion, and dedication to everything she does. We are grateful for her many contributions to the Duke Autism Center community.