Abigail L. Rosen, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She is affiliated with UR Medicine Faculty Group and Accountable Health Partners, focusing on clinical research and patient care. Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Rochester (2019) M.A. in Clinical Psychology, University of Rochester (2016) B.A. in Psychology, Vassar College (2010) Her research centers on trauma exposure and child maltreatment in low-income populations. A 2018 publication explores how trauma patterns affect mental health outcomes in maltreated versus non-maltreated children, highlighting intersections of socioeconomic status and developmental psychology. Her work aligns with clinical psychology and psychiatry, emphasizing early-life adversities and their long-term impacts. No awards, students, or grants are documented in the provided text.
Richard W. Robins is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Letters and Science. He is Director of the Personality, Self and Emotion Laboratory and the California Families Project, and a core faculty member of the NIMH Training Program in Affective Science. Ph.D. in Psychology (Social/Personality), University of California, Berkeley (1995) B.A. in Psychology, University of California, Berkeley (1988) His research centers on personality development, self-esteem, narcissism, self-conscious emotions (pride, shame, guilt, contempt), and developmental trajectories of Mexican-origin youth. He employs longitudinal and experimental designs with multi-method data collection across biological, psychological, and sociocultural domains. His recent publications reflect a strong trend in longitudinal analysis of personality and emotion, particularly focusing on developmental pathways in youth, self-evaluation processes, and cultural influences on emotional expression. Key themes include the interplay between temperament and social behavior, the stability of self-esteem, and the distinction between genuine self-worth and narcissism. Award highlights include: 2012 Diener Award for Outstanding Mid-Career Contributions to Personality Psychology Fellow of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (2011) Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution (APA) Theoretical Innovation Prize (SPSP) Chancellor’s Fellow at UC Davis (2002–2007) Professor Robins has secured research funding from the National Institutes of Health, particularly supporting the California Families Project. He has served as Associate Editor for Personality and Social Psychological Review and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , and has edited major handbooks in personality psychology. He mentors graduate students and teaches courses in Personality Psychology, Personality Development, The Self, Emotion, and Longitudinal Methods. He leads the Personality, Self and Emotions Laboratory at UC Davis, which focuses on social development, emotion regulation, and self-esteem using integrative and naturalistic research approaches.
Nancy M. Wells is a Professor in the Department of Human Centered Design and serves as the Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. Her work bridges environmental psychology and public health, examining how built and natural environments impact human health and behavior across the lifespan. Dr. Wells received a joint PhD in Psychology and Architecture from the University of Michigan and completed National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) post-doctoral training at the University of California, Irvine. Her educational background uniquely positions her to investigate the intersection of physical environments and human wellbeing through both psychological and architectural lenses. Her research focuses on how environmental contexts—from homes to neighborhoods to schools—affect health outcomes, cognitive functioning, and resilience. A central theme examines nature's role in human resilience, particularly how natural environments buffer against adversity and challenge. She has conducted influential work on school gardens and their effects on children's physical activity, dietary habits, and learning. More recently, she has pioneered research on nature and autism, conducting a randomized controlled trial examining natural environments' effects on autistic youth wellbeing. Analysis of Dr. Wells' recent publications reveals consistent focus on nature's health benefits, with strong emphasis on experimental methodologies including randomized controlled trials and natural experiments. Her work spans environmental psychology, public health, and education, with particular attention to vulnerable populations including low-income communities and children of color. NSF Funding for environmental health research USDA Funding for school garden studies Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Funding MacArthur Foundation Funding Senior Associate Editor of Environment and Behavior (4 years) Research Advisory Board of Children and Nature Network Board of Directors for reDirect Dr. Wells actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students through the Wells Lab, involving them in all research stages from data collection to publication. Her research has been supported by multiple significant grants examining housing quality effects on mental health, neighborhood design impacts on physical activity, and school garden interventions. She leads interdisciplinary research teams that integrate perspectives from environmental psychology, public health, landscape architecture, and education. The Wells Lab operates as an integrated research-teaching-outreach unit that develops practical yet rigorous studies to assess causal relations between environment and health, creates valid measurement tools, and identifies causal pathways. Current projects include examining nature's effects on autistic youth wellbeing in partnership with The Center for Discovery in New York, and investigating multi-sensory design in urban public spaces.
Sangyoo Lee is an Assistant Professor of Education and Child Development at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) , and an Affiliated Researcher at the Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education (CBCSE) at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. She holds a Ph.D. and M.P.P. in Public Affairs-Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, alongside a B.A. in Economics from the same institution. Formerly a Postdoctoral Researcher at UPenn CBCSE (2021–2023) Demography Predoctoral Trainee at Minnesota Population Center (2017–2020) Her research focuses on early childhood interventions , immigrant children’s academic trajectories , and policy evaluation , with a focus on socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Key projects include: Cost-effectiveness analysis of early childhood programs for refugee children in the Middle East/South Asia Longitudinal study of early life conditions (birth–age 5) on educational outcomes Evaluation of the Child-Parent Center (CPC) program in urban districts She explores themes such as implementation fidelity in scaled programs and the immigrant paradox in educational success.
Natalie H. Brito is an Associate Professor of Applied Psychology at New York University (NYU), affiliated with the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Her research focuses on how early social and cultural contexts shape neurocognitive development in infants and toddlers, particularly in areas of attention, memory, and socio-emotional skills. Prior to NYU, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center and was a Robert Wood Johnson Health and Society Scholar. Dr. Brito’s work bridges developmental psychology, neuroscience, and public policy, emphasizing the need for equitable environments that support healthy child development. She has received prestigious awards such as the APS Rising Star Award and NIH grants, reflecting her impactful contributions to understanding developmental trajectories. Her research also extends to policy implications, such as the effects of paid maternal leave on infant brain function and the role of structural inequities in maternal mental health. Key themes include early life stress, gut microbiome influences, and the neurobiological underpinnings of cognitive development. Dr. Brito has published extensively in journals like Child Development , Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience , and JAMA Psychiatry , with a focus on innovative methodologies (e.g., the OWLET gaze-tracking tool). She teaches courses on developmental psychology and the principles of applied psychology, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to human development. Her scientific accolades include recognition from the International Society of Developmental Psychobiology and the American Psychological Association, underscoring her leadership in advancing developmental science and equity-focused research.
Kristin Bernard, Ph.D. (University of Delaware, 2013), is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at Stony Brook University’s Department of Psychology. Her research focuses on the neurobiological consequences of early adversity, parent-child relationships, and the efficacy of early parenting interventions such as Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC). She collaborates with Power of Two, a NYC-based nonprofit, and leads the Developmental Stress and Prevention Lab. Current grants include studies on epigenomics, maternal attachment representation, and community-based ABC interventions. Dr. Bernard’s work bridges clinical and developmental psychology, emphasizing prevention science and translational research. Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Delaware, 2013. Research Interests: Child maltreatment, neurobiological impacts of early adversity, parenting interventions, psychobiology of attachment, and intervention efficacy. Her lab investigates mechanisms linking caregiving quality to child outcomes, including cortisol regulation, brain development, and behavioral compliance. Lab & Partnerships: Directs the Developmental Stress and Prevention Lab, focusing on high-risk populations. Collaborations include Power of Two for ABC implementation and NYC agencies like the Administration for Children’s Services. Current projects explore neighborhood influences on parenting (Geography of Parenting Study) and neural correlates of parenting behavior (SNAP study). Grants & Funding: Principal Investigator on NIH-funded projects (R03 HD099372, R01 MH119310) and co-PI on Stony Brook’s seed grants. Projects examine accelerated aging biomarkers and intervention effectiveness in community settings. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles and a co-authored book on ABC interventions. High-impact journals include Psychoneuroendocrinology , Development and Psychopathology , and Child Development .
Jynx Lopez is a Lecturer at Sonoma State University, where she has been teaching for five years. With more than three decades of experience in the child-development field, she brings extensive practical expertise to her university courses and continues to operate five state-funded preschools and one infant-toddler center. Education: Extensive field experience in Child Development spanning 32 years Research & Teaching Focus: Jynx Lopez specializes in Child Development, particularly in the areas of early childhood education, preschool curriculum design, and infant-toddler development. Her courses—EDUC 435 and EDUC 420—integrate theory with real-world practice drawn from her ongoing management of multiple early-learning centers. Professional Service: Currently owns and operates five state-funded preschools and one infant-toddler center, providing continuous applied insights that enrich her university teaching.
Dima Amso is a Professor of Psychology at Columbia University , affiliated with the Department of Neuroscience & Behavior . Their research focuses on human brain and cognitive development , particularly the sophisticated attention, learning, and memory systems in infants. Ph.D. from New York University (2005) Director of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab Key themes: neural plasticity in infancy , adaptive cognitive development , global cross-cultural research (NYC, Jordan, Ghana, South Africa, Malawi) Their lab investigates how interactive attention and learning systems in early childhood enable adaptation to environmental risks and opportunities, with findings applied to partnerships with local and global nonprofit organizations to improve children's programming. Current projects explore the intersection of experience and cognitive plasticity , leveraging novel discoveries about infant learning mechanisms.
Karin Allor Pfeiffer is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Michigan State University (MSU) and Director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports. She holds additional membership in the Center for Physical Activity and Health. With a Ph.D. from MSU, her research focuses on physical activity measurement methodologies and population health interventions, particularly among children and adolescents. Her work addresses obesity prevention, environmental design impacts on activity levels, and sociocultural factors influencing youth sport participation. Education: Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Michigan State University Her research interests emphasize: - Quantitative methods for physical activity assessment - Schoolyard redesign strategies and their health impacts - Cardiometabolic risk factors in pediatric populations - Longitudinal tracking of physical fitness and health outcomes Recent work explores accelerometer fragmentation metrics, GPS-linked activity tracking, and disparities in sedentary behavior across demographic groups. She has pioneered interdisciplinary approaches integrating spatial analysis, wearable technology, and policy evaluation. Key contributions include developing the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children and advancing consensus methods for accelerometer data interpretation. Her studies frequently highlight socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health behaviors. Dr. Pfeiffer collaborates with public health agencies and urban planners to translate research into actionable policies. Her lab focuses on scalable interventions for underserved communities, leveraging community-engaged methods to address greenspace accessibility and safety concerns.
Dr. Qing Zhou is a Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and Director of the Culture and Family Study Lab. He received his Ph.D. from Arizona State University and specializes in understanding how cultural context, family dynamics, and temperament influence children's socio-emotional, academic, and executive function development, with a focus on immigrant families. Key research interests include: Developmental psychopathology Temperament and emotion regulation Family socialization and parenting Impact of bilingualism on child development Cultural values and migration effects on adjustment His work employs multi-method approaches, including questionnaires, behavioral observations, and neuropsychological testing, with ongoing projects like the NICHD-funded longitudinal study on dual language learners and the Chau Hoi Shuen Foundation-supported grandparent involvement research. Collaborations include scholars at UC-Davis, UC-Merced, Wellesley College, and institutions in France and Taiwan. Dr. Zhou has trained numerous students, including current doctoral candidates Xinyi Chen, Erika Roach, and Christopher Gys, as well as alumni at institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and UCSF. His lab's publications emphasize cross-cultural comparisons, longitudinal designs, and intervention implications for immigrant youth.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityUnited States
Martha Ann Bell is a University Distinguished Professor of Psychology and College of Science Faculty Fellow at Virginia Tech. She leads the Cognition, Affect, and Psychophysiology (CAP) Lab, focusing on developmental cognitive neuroscience and the integration of emotion and cognition in early development. Her work examines EEG/ECG biomarkers, executive function, temperament, and maternal-child interactions. Dr. Bell holds a PhD in Human Development from the University of Maryland (1992), an MS in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee (1983), and a BS in Home Economics from Carson-Newman College (1978). She has held progressive roles from Assistant Professor (1996) to her current distinguished title. Her research interests include developmental changes in brain-behavior relations, neurophysiological correlates of emotion regulation, and longitudinal predictors of child development. Recent work explores maternal emotion coaching, EEG neuromarkers of ADHD, and the neurodevelopmental impacts of nutrition. Key awards include the Virginia Tech University Distinguished Professorship (2021) and College of Science Faculty Fellowship (2019–2025). Her publications span developmental psychobiology, neuroimaging methods, and temperament-behavior links. Dr. Bell’s advising and grants focus on interdisciplinary developmental science. The CAP Lab collaborates on projects involving infant neuroimaging, maternal-child physiology, and early childhood interventions.
Douglas K. Snyder is a Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences within the College of Liberal Arts at Texas A&M University. He previously served as Director of Clinical Training from 1991 to 2012 and has been internationally recognized for his research on marital assessment and outcome research on marital therapy, particularly through his development of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory. Dr. Snyder earned his bachelor's degree from Wittenberg University in 1974, received his doctoral degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1978, and completed his internship at Duke University Medical Center. Prior to his appointment at Texas A&M, he served on the faculty at Wayne State University in Detroit and at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, where he also served as Director of Clinical Training and Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Snyder's research emphasizes the assessment, treatment, and prevention of couple relationship distress. His work centers on the Marital Satisfaction Inventory, a multidimensional measure of relationship accord now published in several languages and used worldwide. His treatment research focuses on tailoring therapy to specific partner and relationship characteristics by integrating cognitive, behavioral, emotion-focused, and insight-oriented interventions. His specific clinical interests include treating difficult couples with emotional, behavioral, and health problems, with particular attention to military and veteran couples and those dealing with infidelity. Dr. Snyder's recent publications demonstrate continued leadership in couple therapy, with emphasis on evidence-based approaches, treatment of infidelity, military couples, and cross-cultural applications of couple assessment tools. His work spans theoretical advancements and practical clinical applications. Outstanding Research Publication Award, Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 1991 Professor of the Year Award, Texas Psychological Association - Division of Students, 1993 Award for Distinguished Contributions to Family Psychology, American Psychological Association, 2005 Outstanding Contributions to Science Award, Texas Psychological Association, 2008 Distinguished Alumnae Award, University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), 2012 Distinguished Psychologist Award for Lifetime Contributions to Psychotherapy, American Psychological Association, 2015 Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Divisions 5, 12, 19, 29, 43) Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Fellow of the Society for Personality Assessment Dr. Snyder has served as Editor of the Clinician's Research Digest and as Associate Editor for the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology and the Journal of Family Psychology. His research has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, with significant focus on military couples and relationship distress. He has developed evidence-based approaches for assessing and treating relationship problems across diverse cultural contexts. Dr. Snyder is affiliated with the Personality Processes research cluster at Texas A&M University, focusing on objective personality assessment and clinical assessment of couples and families. His work bridges research and clinical practice, with emphasis on developing practical assessment tools and treatment approaches for clinicians working with distressed couples.
Douglas D. Ready is an Associate Professor of Education and Public Policy at Teachers College, Columbia University , where he serves as Director of the Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE-TC). His research focuses on the intersections of education policy, social policy, and educational equity, particularly how policies influence socio-demographic disparities in cognitive development. Research Interests: Ready’s work examines the structural determinants of educational equity, including school choice architecture, personalized learning, early childhood education, and the impacts of technology on instruction. He has published extensively in journals such as Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis and Sociology of Education . Editorial Roles: Ready contributes to the academic community as a member of the editorial boards of Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis and American Educational Research Journal . Key Projects: He has led analyses of programs like Teach to One: Math and Pre-K for All , exploring their effects on student outcomes and equity.
Gail E. Joseph is a Professor in the College of Education at the University of Washington, with affiliations in Early Childhood & Family Studies and Learning Sciences & Human Development. She teaches courses, advises students, and conducts research on early care and education, focusing on child care quality, social-emotional learning, teacher education, and technology integration. Ph.D., University of Washington Her research projects include statewide surveys on early childhood workforce conditions, studies on digital professional learning tools like Circle Time Magazine, and evaluations of coaching interventions (e.g., FIND in Childcare) to improve teacher-child interactions. She co-created resources such as Teacher Time and the EarlyEdU Alliance, which aims to enhance early childhood education through accessible bachelor’s degrees. Her publications span topics like social-emotional curricula, behavioral interventions, and inclusive education frameworks. She has held leadership roles as Principal Investigator (PI) of the Head Start Center for Inclusion and Co-PI of the National Center for Quality Teaching and Learning (NCQTL). 2018 David R. Thorud Leadership Award (University of Washington) She currently serves as Executive Director of Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington, advancing professional development and quality improvement initiatives nationwide.
Margaret Bublitz is Associate Professor at Brown University with joint appointments in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior , Department of Medicine , and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology . She holds secondary appointments at the School of Public Health as Senior Investigator and Behavioral and Social Sciences faculty member. Dr. Bublitz earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology (2010) from the University of British Columbia, followed by postdoctoral training in Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine at Brown Medical School. Her research focuses on: Psychological stress pathways to adverse perinatal outcomes Maternal childhood maltreatment effects on neurobiology Mindfulness interventions for hypertension and preterm birth prevention Her 15 most recent publications demonstrate expertise in perinatal mental health , sleep-disordered breathing , HPA axis regulation , and fetal neurodevelopment , with significant collaborations in neuroendocrinology and maternal-infant health disparities . Scientific recognition includes: 2024-2025 Global Fulbright Scholarship 2022 Brown Early Career Research Achievement Award Multiple NIH and foundation grants exceeding $6 million Bublitz leads NIH-funded projects examining mechanisms of mindfulness training (R01HL157288) and serves as mentor in the MORPHE Trial for digital maternal health innovations. She is a licensed psychologist and active member of Brown's Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Institute and Mindfulness Center .
