Ellie McKeown

Ellie McKeown is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the PAIR Center where they support the COMPASS-PC trial. Ellie graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2024 with a B.A. in biology; English; and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies (GSWS); and from the University of Edinburgh in 2025 with an MSc in social research.

Prior to joining the PAIR Center, they received the Thouron Award, which granted them the ability to carry out a master’s thesis researching the experience of coming out as autistic to close relationships for autistic people of minority genders. Ellie has also worked for the Dr. Brodkin lab in the Perelman School of Medicine supporting the TUNE-In study on incorporating self-advocacy and empowerment into small group therapy for autistic adults. Additionally, they worked as an archival assistant for the Free Library of Philadelphia in the Theatre and Rare Books Collection.

Outside of work, Ellie enjoys creative and academic writing, reading books on sociology, giving lectures on autism acceptance, and acting as a Dungeon Master for their home game of Dungeons & Dragons.