2025 MCEC Global Training Summit Tools of the Trade: Technology’s Impact on Education

Colonel (Ret) Eric M. Flake, M.D.

Colonel (Ret) Eric M. Flake, M.D., is a team member of Olympia Pediatrics, the largest independent pediatric group in Thurston County, Washington. He is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician and created the Developmental-Behavioral Family Readiness Center for the DoD. Dr. Flake is faculty of the only Department of Defense (DoD) Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Tacoma, Washington, and founded the only DoD Autism Center — JBLM Center for Autism Resource, Education and Services (CARES). He attended the military medical school (USUHS), graduating in 2001.

Dr. Flake has published numerous articles and presentations regarding childhood resilience, autism and the psychosocial effects of deployment on children. He is an Associate Professor at the Uniformed Services University and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, currently serves in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and serves on the science advisory board for the Military Child Education Coalition.

Leanne K. Knobloch, PH.D.

Leanne K. Knobloch (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison) is a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois and co-chair of the Science Advisory Board of the Military Child Education Coalition. Her research examines how military families communicate across the deployment cycle. Her scholarship has been honored by the Golden Anniversary Monograph Award from the National Communication Association and the Biennial Article Award from the International Association for Relationship Research. Her research on military and Veteran families has been funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Institute (PCORI). She was recently named a University Scholar, which is the highest honor bestowed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign recognizing outstanding research, teaching, and public engagement. She is a fellow of the International Association for Relationship Research and the International Communication Association.