Dr. Marney Dzialo (Pollack) is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of West Georgia. She earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from Vanderbilt University, where her doctoral work focused on trauma‑informed, collaborative, school‑based behavior supports for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Her academic training also includes a master’s degree in Special Education from Vanderbilt University and an undergraduate degree in Psychological Science from Central Connecticut State University.

Marney is a doctoral‑level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) whose research and professional work center on trauma‑informed functional behavior assessment, function-based behavior intervention planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration in school settings. Her scholarship aims to bridge research and practice by developing and evaluating individualized behavior supports that promote student growth, wellbeing, and meaningful participation in learning. Her work is informed by direct and consultative professional experiences, including roles as a public‑school paraeducator, behavior therapist in clinic and home settings, and school-based educational and behavioral consultant.

As a teacher and mentor, Marney is committed to preparing graduate students to implement compassionate, evidence‑based practices in real‑world settings. She teaches graduate courses in applied behavior analysis, trauma‑informed assessment, and ethical practice, and she enjoys supervising students as they develop their professional identities as scientist‑practitioners.