Allyson Mackey

Allyson Mackey is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Psychology. Her research focuses on brain plasticity, learning, and neuroimaging, particularly how environmental factors influence neurodevelopmental trajectories and reduce socioeconomic disparities in academic outcomes. She holds a BS in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and a PhD in Neuroscience from UC Berkeley.

Her work bridges cognitive neuroscience and education, emphasizing mechanisms underlying developmental plasticity. Supported by NSF, NIH, and foundations like CIFAR, her lab investigates how stress, socioeconomic status, and interventions shape brain development. She teaches courses on cognitive neuroscience and positive education.

Key research interests include functional brain network maturation, early childhood stress impacts, and translational strategies to improve educational equity. Her studies highlight neural correlates of persistence, self-regulation, and creativity in children. She currently advises three graduate students.

Grants and support include funding from National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the Jacobs Foundation. Her lab collaborates with institutions like the Perelman School of Medicine and the Positive Psychology Center.