Jessica Hamilton

Jessica L. Hamilton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, affiliated with the School of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on identifying modifiable risk factors for adolescent depression and suicidality, integrating developmental science with technological advancements like smartphone sensing and ecological momentary assessment. She leads the Hamilton Lab, which emphasizes equity in mental health research and prevention programs. Dr. Hamilton’s work is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) through grants such as the K01 Career Development Award, and she has received recognition from the APA and SSCP. She holds editorial roles at journals including Journal of Youth and Adolescence and Cognitive & Behavioral Practice.

Dr. Hamilton earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Temple University (2017), followed by a clinical internship at Western Psychiatric Institute and postdoctoral training in sleep medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Her interdisciplinary approach addresses intersections of social media, sleep, and mental health, with a focus on marginalized youth. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and actively promotes social justice in academia through mentorship and policy engagement.

Her lab’s current projects include studying social media’s dual role as a risk factor and intervention tool for suicide prevention, leveraging digital phenotyping and real-time monitoring. Dr. Hamilton collaborates with diverse stakeholders to translate research into actionable strategies for youth mental health.