The systems behind the work.

Founder, researcher, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, building systems at the intersection of behavior, operations, and artificial intelligence.

Line art portrait of David Cole

David M. Cole is a founder, researcher, and BCBA, building systems at the intersection of behavior, operations, and artificial intelligence. He is based on the border of Germany and France.

He has founded, scaled, and led health care organizations in Europe and the U.S. As CEO of Ausblick Therapie GmbH, he tripled locations and employees in a year. He then co-founded Knospe-Lerncenter GmbH and in two years built it into Germany’s largest Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provider, with 8 facilities and more than 80 staff spanning ABA, speech-language pathology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

Before moving into executive and company-building work, Dave’s academic work focused on neuroscience, behavioral economics, and experimental methods. He studied and worked with EEG, TMS, fNIRS, and brain-computer interface methods, published in Cortex, the Journal of Clinical Psychology, and Science, presented at international conferences, and taught at the university level, with his work funded by numerous awards and grants.

Dave’s clinical work, in roles ranging from therapist to director, introduced him to people across the lifespan with diverse psychiatric challenges in their homes, schools, clinics, and in-patient facilities. His most impactful experiences included teaching two children with autism over the ages of 10 to speak their first words, and then in the same year, generative sentences.

That background matters because his interest in systems is not abstract. It is a matter of consequences, from teaching undergraduate students how to train rats to building multi-site clinical operations in new markets.

His current work with AI weaves those threads together: long-form writing on how AI actually behaves and what its adoption will do to adjacent fields; software and coordination systems that put those ideas under operating pressure; and a multi-session executive intensive for leaders trying to make AI work inside real organizations.

Multiplicity encompasses work previously hosted at ObserveChange.org.

Curriculum vitae

Curriculum vitae

David M. Cole

Germany · 2026-03-30

Executive and industry experience

2023–present

Cofounder

Knospe-Lerncenter

Built in two years into Germany’s leading multi-disciplinary therapy provider, spanning applied behavior analysis, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology across 8 facilities and more than 80 staff.

2020–2022

Managing Director / CEO

Ausblick Therapie

Tripled locations and employees in a year.

2016–2020

Graduate Research, Teaching, and Laboratory Instruction, Utah State University, Logan, UT

2012–2015

Clinical Director, ACI Learning Center, Colorado Springs, CO

2011–2012

Consultant, Behavior Management Consultants, Jacksonville, FL

2008–2010

Clinical Supervisor, Wellspring Healthcare, Los Angeles, CA

Education

2015

St. Cloud State University

M.S. in Applied Psychology: Behavior Analysis

Thesis advisor: Benjamin Witts

2007

Washington University in St. Louis

B.A. in English Literature

Minors: Environmental Studies, Political Science

Publications

Peer-reviewed articles, data sets, and software

  1. Ruddy, K. L., Cole, D. M., Simon, C., & Bächinger, M. (2020). Neuronal response variability as a product of divisive normalization: Neurobiological implications at a macroscale level. HRB Open Research, 3(34). https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13062.1 [Article]
  2. Cole, D. M., Rung, J. M., & Madden, G. J. (2019). Assessing susceptibility of a temporal discounting task to faking. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 75(10), 1959-1974. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22831 [Article]
  3. Rung, J. M., Cole, D. M., & Madden, G. (2018, April 30). Faking discounting rates [Data set]. Retrieved from https://osf.io/mnsxh
  4. Bolton, D. A. E., Cole, D. M., Butler, B., Mansour, M., Schwartz, S., McDannald, D. W., and Rydalch, G. (2019). Motor preparation for compensatory reach-to-grasp responses when viewing a wall-mounted safety handle. Cortex, 117, 135-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2019.03.001 [Article]
  5. Bolton, D. A. E., Cole, D. M., Butler, B., Mansour, M., Rydalch, G., McDannald, D. W., and Schwartz, S. (2019, February 5). Motor preparation for compensatory reach-to-grasp responses when viewing a wall-mounted safety handle [Data set]. Retrieved from https://osf.io/9z3nw/
  6. Goode, C., Cole, D. M., & Bolton, D. A. E. (2019). Staying upright by shutting down? Evidence for global suppression of the motor system when recovering balance. Gait & Posture, 70, 260-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.03.018 [Article]
  7. Cole, D. M., & Witts, B. N. (2015). Formative graphing with a Microsoft Excel 2013 template. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 15(3-4), 171-186. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000021 [Article]
  8. Cole, D. M. (2017). Formative Grapher (Version 1.11) [Computer software]. https://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.18860.67208 [Project page]

Other publications

  1. Steinhauff, D., Ellwanger, J. H., Lewinska, M., Sanganyado, E., Ji, Y., Karawdeniya, B. I., Bochatay, N., Moore, E. B., Coulibaly, A., Ibrahim, S., Jansen, D. S., James, J. I., Cole, D. M., Lipkin, A., Adamowicz, B. M., Cohen, C. M., Fatehi, S., Holmstrom, M. H., & Li, R. (2019). NextGen advises “Trying to Manage.” Science, 366(6461), 28-30. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaz5828

Presentations

Conference papers and panel discussions

  1. Cole, D. M., & Carstens, S. (2024). Inevitable: Opportunities and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence in ABA. Paper presented at the Best of ABA Conference, Cagnes-sur-Mer, France.
  2. Cole, D. M. (Chair), Ness, K., & Carstens, S. (2024). AI in ABA: Conceptual foundations, ethical dilemmas, and practical applications. Panel discussion presented at the 11th Conference of the European Association for Behaviour Analysis, Brno, Czech Republic. [cancelled due to illness]
  3. Cole, D. M., Butler, B., Mansour, M., Schwartz, S., Bell, H., McDannald, D. W., Rydalch, G., & Bolton, D. A. E. (2019). An invisible hand: Automatic preparation for arresting a fall when viewing a handrail. Paper presented at the World Congress of the International Society of Posture & Gait Research, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. [Program]
  4. Cole, D. M., Goode, C., & Bolton, D. A. E. (2019). Response inhibition during reactive balance. Paper presented at the 3rd Biennial International Convention of Psychological Science, Paris, France. [Program]
  5. Cole, D. M., Goode, C., & Bolton, D. A. E. (2018). Staying upright by shutting down? Evidence for global suppression of the motor system when recovering balance. Paper presented at the Fall Colloquium of the Disabilities Disciplines, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
  6. Cole, D. M. (2018). Adding genetically modified mice to the armamentarium of behavior analysis. Paper presented at the 44th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Diego, CA. [Abstract]
  7. Cole, D. M., Rung, J. M., & Madden, G. J. (2017). Can temporal discounting be faked? Paper presented at the 43rd Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO. [Abstract]

Conference posters

  1. Cole, D. M. (2017). Reward type predicts temporal discounting in rats: A pilot study. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Utah Association for Behavior Analysis, Salt Lake City, UT.

Grants and fellowships

Extramural

  • 2020–2021 — Graduate Research Grant, $1,500, Psi Chi
  • 2020 — Student Grant, $500, Association for Psychological Science
  • 2019–2020 — Research Training Fellowship, $2,700, Society for Psychophysiological Research
  • 2019 — Unrestricted Travel Grant, $1,207, Psi Chi

Intramural

  • 2019–2020 — Graduate Research and Creative Opportunities Grant, $1,000, Student Involvement and Leadership Center / Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Utah State University
  • 2017–2018 — Graduate Student Research Award, $2,953, College of Education & Human Services / Department of Psychology, Utah State University

Mentored funding

  • 2019 — Jessica Harrison, Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship, $500, Office of the Provost / Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Utah State University
  • 2018–2019 — Mahmoud Mansour, Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities Grant, $2,000, Student Involvement and Leadership Center / Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Utah State University

Awards and honors

Extramural

  • 2020–2021 — Early Career Policy Ambassadorship, Society for Neuroscience
  • 2019 — Best Talk by a Trainee, $750, World Congress of the International Society of Posture & Gait Research, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • 2019 — Finalist, Psychological Science Video Festival, American Psychological Association [Video]
  • 2017 — Student Video Award, $1,000, Noba Psychology / The Diener Education Fund / Psi Chi [Video]
  • 2017 — Distinguished Scholar, Cambridge Center for Behavior Studies

Intramural

  • 2020–2021 — Graduate Enhancement Award, $4,000, Division of Student Affairs, Utah State University
  • 2020–2021 — Anthony LaPray Scholarship, $1,000, Department of Psychology, Utah State University
  • 2020 — Academic Opportunity Fund Award, $500, Student Association, Utah State University
  • 2018 — Graduate Student Travel Award, $800, Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Utah State University
  • 2017 — Graduate Student Travel Award, $500, Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Utah State University

Professional service

Research

  • 2019–2020 — Research Assistant, NIH R21 AG061688, Utah State University, Logan, UT
  • 2019 — Visiting Researcher, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
  • 2018 — Research Assistant, Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT
  • 2017 — Research Assistant, NIH R15 NS090283, Utah State University, Logan, UT

Teaching

  • 2018–2019 — Instructor of Record, Utah State University, Logan, UT — Kinesiology 4400: Evaluation in Physical Education (Research Methods and Statistics)
  • 2017–2018 — Instructor of Record, Utah State University, Logan, UT — Psychology 3460: Neuroscience I (Laboratory Course)
  • 2016–2017 — Instructor of Record, Utah State University, Logan, UT — Psychology 1400/1410: Analysis of Behavior: Basic Principles (Laboratory Course)
  • 2016 — Guest Speaker, Utah State University, Logan, UT — Psychology 2010: Orientation to Psychology as a Career and Profession

Editorial and review

  • 2016–2020 — Reviewer, Student Research Grants and Awards, Association for Psychological Science
  • 2019 — Ad-Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Clinical Psychology
  • 2019 — Judge, Student Research Symposium, Utah State University, Logan, UT

Chairmanships

  • 2020 — Bursts of the brain: Rethinking the structure and function of beta and gamma oscillations. Symposium to be chaired and discussed at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research, Vancouver, Canada. Presenters: Little, S., Longtin, A., Torrecillos, F., & Wessel, J. [postponed due to COVID-19]
  • 2019 — Dissociating neural mechanisms of choice: Recent developments. Symposium chaired at the 3rd Biennial International Convention of Psychological Science, Paris, France. Co-presenters: Pattij, T. & Peters, J.
  • 2018 — Alternative model organisms: Alcoholic bees, mutant mice, robotic zebrafish, and T-mazing octopi. Symposium chaired at the 44th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Diego, CA. Co-presenters: Porfiri, M., Schmick, A., & Varnon, C.

Organizations

  • 2023–2024 — Treasurer, European Association for Behaviour Analysis
  • 2024 — Policy / advocacy exposure including lobbying on Capitol Hill
  • 2019–2021 — Member, Committee to Promote Student Interests, Society for Psychophysiological Research
  • 2012–2021 — Interviewer, Washington University Alumni & Parents Admission Program
  • 2017–2020 — Campus Representative, Association for Psychological Science
  • 2014–2020 — Treasurer → Webmaster → Student Director, Four Corners Association for Behavior Analysis

Mentorships

  • Matthew Steffensen (2019–2020) [medical school applicant]
  • Jessica Harrison (2019) [Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship]
  • Mahmoud Mansour (2018–2019) [Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities Grant; M.S. Candidate, Power Electronic Lab, Utah State University]
  • Jennifer Henry (2018)
  • Erikka Twinting (2018)
  • Amand Hardiman (2016) [Ph.D. Candidate, Human Development and Family Studies, Utah State University]
  • Jeni Christensen (2016)

Skills and credentials

Certifications and training

Professional certifications

  • 2015–present — Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), 1-15-21263
  • 2010–2015 — Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA), 0-10-3864

Professional trainings

  • 2020 — Responsible Conduct of Research, a 1-day course satisfying National Institutes of Health hiring requirements at Utah State University, Logan, UT
  • 2015 — Getting Started as a Successful Proposal Writer, a 1-day course by Grant Writers’ Seminars & Workshops, LLC at Utah State University, Logan, UT
  • 2013–2015 — Professional Crisis Management, Practitioner 2, a 3-day course at ACI Learning Center, Colorado Springs, CO
  • 2009–2011 — Graduate Academic Certificate, Applied Behavior Analysis, a 24-credit post-graduate credential from University of North Texas
  • 2008 — Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Training, Basic, a 2-day course by Pyramid Educational Consultants
  • 2008 — Pivotal Response Training (PRT), Level I, a 2-day workshop at University of California-Santa Barbara

Clinical and research experience

Clinical

  • Contexts: Homes, Private Centers, Schools, and State Centers funded by private insurers, state agencies, Tricare, and private pay
  • Demographics: Ages 2 to 70+ years, cross-cultural, spanning socioeconomic brackets; primarily autism, but also intellectual disability, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, Angelman syndrome, and common comorbidities like ADHD
  • Technologies: functional behavior assessments, including functional analyses; developmental assessments (e.g., ABLLS-R, VB-MAPP); verbal behavior, including augmentative communication systems (e.g., sign language, PECS); basic skills to advanced skills; discrete trial training and natural environment training

Research

  • Humans: Electroencephalography (EEG), including brain-computer interface (BCI); electromyography (EMG); functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS); transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS); participant markets such as Amazon Mechanical Turk
  • Rodents: colony management and breeding; genotyping with polymerase chain reaction and electrophoresis; brain stereotaxic injection and intravenous catheter implantation; classical and operant conditioning; transcardial perfusion and brain sectioning; confocal microscopy and neuronal tract tracing