Dr. Saashya Rodrigo serves as the principal researcher at the National Center for Learning Disabilities, where her extensive expertise as an education researcher, family and teacher consultant, and classroom teacher is invaluable. Her professional interests encompass a diverse range of topics, including teacher stress and turnover, special education assessment and instruction, and education equity and accessibility.

Saashya’s academic journey led her to receive a Ph.D. in learning disabilities and behavioral disabilities from the University of Texas at Austin. During her doctoral studies, she contributed to several federally funded research studies in the critical areas of reading, mathematics, and behavioral sciences. Before pursuing her doctorate, Saashya was a dedicated teacher in Atlanta, Georgia, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education from Georgia State University.

Driven by her strong belief in the power of data and the dissemination of quality research findings, Saashya is committed to positively impacting learning, teaching, and organizational outcomes. Her passion lies in collaborative teamwork, engaging with education stakeholders, and making data-based decisions to support practical, equitable, student-, and teacher-focused improvement efforts.

Saashya’s multicultural background—having been born and raised in the island nation of Sri Lanka—enriches her perspectives and approach to her work. Beyond her academic pursuits, she embraces a vibrant array of interests and hobbies. An avid concert-goer, fitness enthusiast, lover of the outdoors, and foodie, Saashya also nurtures her determined gardening endeavors, even if they are not always successful. She currently resides in Austin, Texas, alongside her husband and their three fur-babies: Colombo, Fat Lizzy, and Jasper.

Her diverse experiences and commitment to improving education outcomes contribute significantly to the organization’s mission of supporting individuals with learning disabilities and attention issues.