Cynthia Roberta Pfeffer

Cynthia Roberta Pfeffer is a **Professor Emerita of Psychiatry** at **Weill Cornell Medical College**, Cornell University, with a focus on child and adolescent mental health. Her research examines the psychological impact of severe stressors, particularly traumatic bereavement and suicidal behavior in youth. She has pioneered interventions for children grieving sudden losses and developed screening tools like the Child-Adolescent Suicidal Potential Index (CASPI).

Key areas of expertise include:

• Suicidality risk factors and prevention
• Trauma response mechanisms in children
• Family psychopathology effects on child development
• Bereavement treatment modalities

Her work has addressed major historical trauma events like the 9/11 attacks, elucidating cortisol biomarkers of stress. Though retired from active faculty duties, she continues contributing to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as an advisory board member.

Pfeffer's 70+ peer-reviewed publications span from 1979 to 2020, with notable contributions to Biological Psychiatry, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and suicide prevention literature. She has collaborated with key institutions in child mental health research.