Faculty Directory

Research

As a developmental clinical neuropsychologist, I am interested in optimizing long term outcomes of individuals with acquired neurological disorders early in life. My team and I study the impact of neurodevelopmental disruption on cognitive and adaptive outcomes over time and from a lifespan perspective. In doing so, we utilize a variety of neuroimaging (e.g., functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging) and neuropsychological testing methods to better understand the relationships between brain structure/function and cognitive abilities. We also examine economic and social conditions during brain and cognitive development across the lifespan. We investigate both neurologically and culturally diverse populations’ neuropsychological functioning within a culturally sensitive framework. The development of everyday living skills/executive function abilities and preparing for a smooth transition to adult health care are important areas of independence we aim to promote with our research participants and their families. The breadth of our research within this biopsychosocial framework is demonstrated by our investigations into many neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., pediatric brain tumor, congenital heart disease, childhood traumatic brain injury, rare disease research). We also lead large multisite studies to examine the genetic diatheses that may predispose individuals to more severe impairments than others without the genetic predisposition (e.g., SNPs that interact with lifesaving but neurotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiation). In order to advance the implementation of personalized medicine, I employ a biopsychosocial approach to understand, target, and improve cognitive and functional adaptive outcomes. In sum, I direct a program of research that informs precision medicine advances that optimize long-term outcomes and increase independence across the lifespan.

Research Center(s)

• Children’s Center for Neurosciences Research (CCNR) →