Bengi Baran

Bengi Baran is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Iowa. She is affiliated with the Developmental Psychopathology and Developmental Science research groups, and leads the Neurodevelopment and Psychopathology (NaP) Lab. Her work bridges sleep electrophysiology, neuroimaging, and clinical science to study developmental biomarkers of psychopathology.

Education:

• PhD, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Research Interests: Focuses on sleep-related biomarkers in psychotic disorders, high-risk populations, and neurodevelopmental processes. Utilizes techniques like resting-state fMRI, EEG/ERP, and sleep electrophysiology to investigate mechanisms of memory consolidation, emotional processing, and functional connectivity disruptions. Integrates translational approaches to understand clinical conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Labs/Teams: Directs the NaP Lab, which examines the interplay between sleep, brain development, and mental health outcomes. Collaborates with the Iowa Neuroscience Institute and DeLTA Center.