Adam R. Cassidy

Adam R. Cassidy, Ph.D., L.P., A.B.P.P., is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. He is a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist with particular expertise in congenital heart disease and global health.

Dr. Cassidy completed his graduate training at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development, followed by a predoctoral internship at Emory School of Medicine/Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and a postdoctoral fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital, where he served on faculty for approximately 8 years before joining Mayo Clinic. His educational background includes a PhD in Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Science (2010), MA in Child Psychology (2006), and BA in Psychology (summa cum laude) with a Sociology minor from Drew University (2004).

His research focuses on two primary areas: characterizing and optimizing neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes in children with congenital heart disease, and investigating neurodevelopmental outcomes in children exposed in utero to HIV and antiretroviral medications, with particular attention to children living in sub-Saharan Africa. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on socioeconomic factors in neurodevelopment, cognitive flexibility in critical congenital heart disease, and optimizing outcomes following fetal diagnosis.

• Meil Family Foundation Research Award for Neurocognitive Studies ($25,000) (2023)
• Departmental Small Grants Award ($10,000) (2021)
• Best Abstract and Top Abstract awards from the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative (2020)
• Best Neurodevelopment & Congenital Heart Disease Paper of 2015 (2016)
• Top Poster Award at the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Symposium (2015)

Dr. Cassidy holds certifications in Pediatric Clinical Neuropsychology (2019) and Clinical Neuropsychology (2015) from the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is actively involved in multiple professional organizations including the American Heart Association, American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology, and Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative, where he currently serves as Co-Vice Chair of the Research Committee. His clinical practice focuses on neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents, and young adults with complex cardiac conditions, providing comprehensive evaluations to identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses and develop tailored intervention plans.