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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.

• Developmental Psychology
• Neurocognitive Development
• Early Childhood Development
• +3 more

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 .

• Perinatal Mental Health
• Integrated Behavioral Health
• Mindfulness-Based Interventions
• +6 more

Nancy Jones is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Her research focuses on infant emotional development, maternal mental health, and neurophysiological markers of temperament and resilience. Education: Ph.D. in Human Development (University of Maryland, College Park), M.A. in Human Development (University of Maryland, College Park), B.A. in Psychology (University of Wisconsin, Madison) Research Interests: Dr. Jones investigates how maternal depression and socio-emotional interactions shape infant brain development, with a focus on EEG activity, heart rate variability, and alternative therapies like kangaroo care and mindfulness meditation. Her work also explores autism-related emotional processing and frontal lobe maturation. Recent Publication Trends: Her articles emphasize psychophysiological methodologies (EEG, heart rate variability), maternal-infant neurohormonal interactions, autism spectrum disorder markers, and interventions like mindfulness meditation to improve child neurodevelopment and stress regulation. Service & Collaborations: She serves on the Departmental Executive Committee, chairs grant review panels for NIH and NSERC, and advises journals in developmental psychology and psychopathology. She leads the WAVES Lab and chairs the Palm Beach County Breastfeeding Coalition.

• Infant Emotional Development
• Child Development
• Psychophysiology
• +6 more

Dr. JoAnna K Leyenaar is a Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of The Dartmouth Institute at the Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College. She serves as Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Pediatrics at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Her work focuses on improving healthcare quality for vulnerable children, with expertise in urban-rural disparities, pediatric mental health, and hospital-to-home transitions. Dr. Leyenaar holds an MD from McMaster University, an MPH from Harvard University, and a PhD from Tufts University. Her research is funded by PCORI and NIH-NIMHD to study direct admission pathways and urban-rural disparities in care for children with chronic conditions. Key areas include care coordination, mental health integration, and outcomes for opioid-exposed infants. She leads the Leyenaar Lab ( https://sites.dartmouth.edu/leyenaarlab/ ), advancing innovations in pediatric healthcare delivery. Recent publications emphasize qualitative research methods, pediatric mental health challenges, and disparities in access to specialized care. Her work bridges clinical practice and policy, addressing systemic inequities in healthcare provision for medically complex children.

• Healthcare Quality
• Urban-Rural Disparities in Pediatrics
• Pediatric Mental Health Delivery
• +3 more

Heather A. Jones, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology within Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Humanities and Sciences, holding joint appointments with the Department of African American Studies, Department of Pediatrics, and Institute for Women's Health. As a licensed clinical psychologist in Virginia, she maintains an active research program focused on reducing mental health disparities through culturally responsive interventions. Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Maryland at College Park (2006) Dr. Jones' research centers on three interconnected pillars: Black children and families' mental health, maternal mental health across the perinatal spectrum, and training culturally competent clinical psychologists. Her work specifically examines ADHD manifestations in Black youth, impacts of racial discrimination on adolescent mental health, and integration of behavioral health services within primary care settings. She employs mixed-methods approaches to address systemic barriers in mental healthcare access for underserved communities. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals consistent emphasis on health equity through studies of cultural competence in cancer survivorship, ADHD treatment representation gaps, and digital interventions for perinatal depression. Her methodological approaches span latent class analyses of service utilization, content analyses of historical research biases, and clinical trials of integrated care models, all contextualized within structural determinants of health. Dr. Jones has received significant recognition for her contributions: VCU College of Humanities and Sciences Distinguished Teaching Award (2023) VCU Department of Psychology Outstanding Mentoring Award (2023) Elizabeth Fries Young Investigator Award (2016) Clinical and Translational Research Award (2016) She actively mentors students, particularly supporting Black graduate trainees in pediatric psychology as evidenced by numerous student co-authorships. As Principal Investigator, she directs the $1.4M HRSA-funded Primary Care Psychology Training Collaborative providing pro bono services to urban Richmond and rural Virginia communities, recently expanded through an additional $1.1M grant serving Latinx immigrants and refugees. Her federally funded work consistently bridges research, clinical service, and community engagement. Dr. Jones co-directs the Families and Mental Health Research Lab and Primary Care Psychology Training Collaborative, leading interdisciplinary teams comprising psychology graduate students, pediatric residents, and community health workers. These initiatives operate within VCU's integrated primary care clinics, focusing on implementation science to scale evidence-based practices for underserved populations while training the next generation of healthcare providers.

• Child and Parental Mental Health
• Black Children and Families
• Maternal Mental Health
• +3 more

Dr. Daniel Carrión is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences. His work bridges climate science , energy transitions , and health equity , focusing on structural inequality’s role in exposure and health disparities. Education: PhD in Environmental Health Sciences (Columbia University, 2019); MPH in Environmental Health Sciences (New York Medical College, 2011); BA in Environmental Studies (Ithaca College, 2008). His research examines how home and neighborhood environments serve as intervention points for climate and health equity . Recent studies include modeling heat vulnerability in U.S. housing, geospatial analysis of lead water lines, and clean cooking interventions in Ghana. Articles span climate change , air pollution , and social determinants , with methodological focus on exposure science and case-crossover designs . Scientific honors include: Senior Fellow, Agents of Change in Environmental Justice (2022) Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2022) Senior Fellow, Environmental Leadership Program (2019) He contributes to community service as a member of the New York State Minority Health Council (2016–present) and the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (2018–present). His work integrates satellite data , machine learning , and policy evaluation to address energy insecurity , racial segregation , and climate justice .

• Environmental Health
• Climate Change
• Public Health Equity
• +5 more

Pamela Y. Collins is a Bloomberg Centennial Professor and Chair of the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She holds an affiliate professorship at the University of Washington's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Her work bridges global mental health, HIV care, and stigma reduction. She leads initiatives in low-resource settings, including integrating mental health into HIV programs and developing scalable interventions like the WHO-UNICEF EQUIP initiative. Her research focuses on marginalized populations, including adolescents in urban environments and communities affected by conflict. Education: MD from Cornell University Medical College (1991), MPH from Columbia University (1997), BA from Purdue University (1986). She has held leadership roles at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and global health organizations like I-TECH. She chairs the American Psychiatric Association’s Council on International Psychiatry and co-chairs the Connecting Climate Minds initiative. Research Interests: Global mental health systems, HIV/mental health integration, stigma reduction, adolescent mental health in urban contexts, and culturally adapted interventions. She pioneered studies on mHealth in Ghana’s prayer camps and co-led the MindKind study on youth data governance. Awards: Over 20 honors including the NIH Merit Award, NIMH Director’s Awards, and the Jeanne Spurlock Minority Fellowship. Her work emphasizes equity and capacity-building in global health. Grants/Advising: Principal investigator on NIH-funded projects like the Kenya adolescent HIV-mental health trial and co-investigator on Ghana’s mHealth/nurse intervention. She advises on climate change and mental health linkages through her role with the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health. Labs/Teams: Leads the Johns Hopkins Mental Health Department’s global initiatives, collaborating with WHO, UNICEF, and institutions in Kenya, Ghana, and India. Her teams include interdisciplinary experts in implementation science and digital health.

• Global Mental Health
• HIV Care
• HIV and Mental Health Integration
• +3 more

Dr. Kanwaljeet S. Anand is a dual-appointed Professor of Pediatrics (Pediatric Critical Care) and Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. As director of the Pain/Stress Neurobiology Lab and Jackson Vaughan Critical Care Research Fund, he serves as Editor-in-Chief of Pediatric Research and maintains active membership in Bio-X, MCHRI, and Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. Rhodes Scholar with D.Phil from University of Oxford Harvard postdoctoral fellowship and Boston Children's Hospital residency Founded Harmony Health Clinic - Arkansas' largest charitable medical-dental facility A translational researcher with 30+ years of impact, Dr. Anand established the first scientific framework for infant pain perception and developed novel pain assessment methodologies. Current research focuses on: Hair biomarker analysis for stress and social affiliation (cortisol/oxytocin) Machine learning systems for objective pain detection in non-verbal infants Biopsychosocial interventions for stress reduction in disadvantaged youth Neurotoxicity mechanisms of sedatives in developing brains Global NICU opioid usage patterns through the NeoOpioid Consortium His work has yielded over 260 publications and significant advances in: Pediatric pain management protocols Neonatal stress biomarker development Critical care neurobiology insights Community health initiatives AI-driven clinical decision support systems Scientific Recognition 9th Annual 'In Praise of Medicine' Public Address, Erasmus University (2014) Nightingale Excellence Award (2016) Honorary Doctorate from University of Örebro (2019) NIH SBIB-H82 Study Section Chair (2018) Multiple IASP and American Pain Society awards Swedish Academy of Medicine's Nils Rosén von Rosenstein Award (2009) St. Jude Endowed Chairholder (2010) As mentor to Med Scholar Anjali Gupta and advisor to numerous professional bodies, Dr. Anand maintains active clinical leadership in Pediatric Intensive Care while advancing computational approaches to pain detection through collaborations with Stanford's AI researchers.

• Pediatric Pain and Stress Neurobiology
• Neonatal and Fetal Pain Assessment
• Biomarker Development
• +3 more

Huynh-Nhu (Mimi) Le is a Professor in Clinical/Community Psychology at George Washington University. Her research focuses on developing interventions to prevent perinatal depression among low-income Spanish- and English-speaking pregnant women and new mothers, with an emphasis on cultural adaptation and integration into primary care settings. She leads the Mothers and Babies: Mood and Health Research Program, addressing underserved populations in the U.S. and internationally. Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1997). Research interests include culturally tailored mental health interventions, feasibility of mental health screening in primary care, and global maternal mental health. Her work aims to improve mental health outcomes for marginalized families through evidence-based strategies. Lab affiliation: Mothers and Babies Lab, located at 2013 H Street NW, Room 519, Washington, DC.

• Perinatal Mental Health
• Clinical Psychology
• Community Psychology
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Dr. Elisabeth Binder is the Director of the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry and leads the Max Planck Research Group "Genes and Environment" in Munich, Germany. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, particularly how genetic and environmental factors interact in disease development. Education: Medicine (University of Vienna), Neuroscience (Emory University) Affiliations: Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, International Max-Planck Research School Translational Psychiatry, Graduate School of Systemic Neuroscience Research Interests: Elisabeth Binder investigates gene-environment interactions in psychiatric disorders, emphasizing early trauma and stress response. Her work employs next-generation sequencing, epigenetic analysis, and induced pluripotent stem cells to identify biological markers for disease prevention and treatment. Scientific Awards: Theodore Reich Young Investigator Award (2010) Max Hamilton Memorial Prize (2012) Eva King-Killam Research Award (2016) Carus Medal (2017) Ron the Kloet Award for Stress Research (2019) Leadership Roles: She is a member of the German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina), a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and serves on multiple international advisory committees and executive boards in psychiatry and neuroscience.

• Psychiatric Disorders
• Gene-Environment Interactions
• Epigenetics
• +4 more

Alicia Che is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and serves as Director of Graduate Admissions for the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program. She joined the Yale Department of Psychiatry in 2021 after completing her postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Natalia De Marco García at Weill Cornell Medical College and Dr. Gord Fishell at NYU. Her research is conducted through the Che Lab at Yale, where she investigates how early life experiences impact brain circuit assembly and mature function in models of psychiatric illness. Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program Center for Brain & Mind Health Division of Molecular Psychiatry Wu Tsai Institute Yale Center for the Science of Cannabis and Cannabinoids Dr. Che earned her Ph.D. in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut in 2014, where she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Joseph LoTurco. She received her B.S. with triple majors in Biology, Physics, and Physical Chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington state in 2009. Her research focuses on understanding developmental trajectories following early life experiences to develop diagnostics and early interventions for psychiatric illnesses. Dr. Che's research examines how sensory inputs, social bonding, stress, and substance exposure impact brain development. She employs a multi-dimensional approach to assess transcriptional, circuit, neuronal activity, and behavioral changes across the entire developmental timeline. Her lab currently focuses on four specific areas: the role of oxytocin in social behavior development, circuit dysfunction in PTSD, early-life cannabinoid exposure effects, and the impact of early life stress on development and adulthood. She utilizes advanced techniques including mouse genetics, slice electrophysiology, and longitudinal in vivo 2-photon imaging on behaving animals. Her most recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to understanding neural circuit development, PTSD mechanisms, and the effects of early life experiences on brain function. Her work spans from molecular neuroscience to behavioral outcomes, with publications in top journals including Nature, Neuron, and Nature Communications. Her research has revealed important insights into how translaminar neuronal activity strengthens cortical columns, how oxytocin facilitates social touch development, and how PTSD affects brain transcriptomics. NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2020) K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from NINDS (2019) Dr. Che's work has significant implications for understanding and treating neurodevelopmental disorders, PTSD, and the consequences of early life experiences on mental health. She collaborates extensively with researchers across Yale and beyond, with frequent co-authorship with colleagues including Lin Lin, Alex Kwan, and Christopher Pittenger. Her research program bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, aiming to translate findings into potential interventions for psychiatric conditions.

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• +5 more

Gary M. Shaw is the Rosemarie Hess Professor and Professor (Research) at Stanford University , with courtesy appointments in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine . He serves as Co-PI of the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford and PI of the California Center for Finding Causes and Preventives of Birth Defects . His research focuses on the Epidemiology of birth defects Gene-environment interactions in perinatal outcomes Nutritional factors in reproductive health . He has developed machine learning approaches for precision parenteral nutrition and predictive models for preterm birth, while investigating persistent metabolomic signatures following hypertensive pregnancy disorders. Shaw's recent work explores Climate change impacts on reproductive health Maternal-fetal immune interactions Epigenetic mechanisms in perinatal disease with applications of multiomics to neonatal intensive care units. As a member of Bio-X and the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute , he contributes to translational research networks while serving as Associate Editor for Birth Defects Research and American Journal of Medical Genetics . He supervises Med Scholar Project student Richard Liang Doctoral co-advisor for Saskia Comess and Richard Liang Master's advisor for Lenae Joe while leading the Division of Neonatology as Associate Chair for Clinical Research (2012-2025). His laboratory work integrates Metabolomic profiling Proteomic analysis Computational modeling Machine learning for biomedical data to advance neonatal care through precision medicine approaches.

• Epidemiology of Birth Defects
• Gene-Environment Interactions in Perinatal Health
• Nutrition and Reproductive Outcomes
• +4 more

Martha C. Tompson is Associate Professor and Clinical Program Director in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Boston University. She earned her PhD from UCLA and directs the Family Development and Treatment Lab. Her research examines family processes in mental health, with focus on depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia interventions. Key research areas include: Family-focused treatments for childhood depression Impact of maternal depression on child development Family psychoeducation for bipolar disorder Dr. Tompson has developed novel family-based interventions for preadolescent depression and studied transgenerational transmission of depression vulnerability. Her work emphasizes culturally responsive treatments and includes randomized trials demonstrating treatment efficacy. She mentors clinical psychology students and teaches evidence-based intervention strategies.

• Clinical Psychology
• Family Therapy
• Depression Treatment
• +2 more

Saifuddin Ahmed, PhD, MBBS, is a Professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University. His primary department affiliation is Population, Family and Reproductive Health, with a joint role in Biostatistics. He is affiliated with the William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health and the Hopkins Population Center. His research focuses on reproductive epidemiology, maternal mortality estimation, family planning, and complex population surveys. Key interests include reducing maternal mortality disparities, improving access to family planning services, and enhancing healthcare systems in low-resource settings. Dr. Ahmed’s work spans global health challenges, particularly in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. His projects address maternal and child health, neonatal care, and the integration of technology (e.g., mobile health surveys) into public health monitoring. He has authored over 200 publications, with recent contributions on maternal mortality frameworks, neonatal hypothermia management, and contraceptive equity. His research often bridges clinical practice and policy, aiming to translate evidence into actionable health strategies. Dr. Ahmed’s grants and collaborations involve international organizations and institutions, focusing on population health surveillance and intervention efficacy. He actively participates in global initiatives to address gaps in maternal healthcare and improve birth outcomes.

• Public Health
• Reproductive Health
• Maternal Mortality
• +4 more

Joy S. Kaufman is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. She serves as Deputy Chair for Career Development, Director of the Yale Consultation Center, and Director of YaleEVAL. Her work focuses on large-scale evaluations of health service delivery systems in under-resourced communities, emphasizing community-based participatory research and stakeholder training. Education: PhD in Clinical and Community Psychology, DePaul University (1994) Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University (1993) MA in Psychology, DePaul University BA in Psychology, Assumption College Dr. Kaufman specializes in health equity , trauma exposure in children , and program evaluation . Her research bridges public health , social justice , and behavioral health policy through rigorous methodologies. Recent publications highlight her work on opioid use disorder in obstetric care , perinatal substance use reporting , and system-level mental health evaluations . She employs latent class analysis and CBPR frameworks to address disparities. Scientific Awards: Fellow, American Psychological Association Fellow, Society for Community Research and Action Gold Medal, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Exemplary Evaluation, American Evaluation Association As principal investigator, she has secured funding from the National Institute of Justice , PCORI , and Connecticut state agencies . Her leadership extends to training community members in evaluation methods and developing trauma-informed healthcare systems .

• Clinical Psychology
• Community Psychology
• Health Services Research
• +7 more