Caroline G. Richter

Caroline G. Richter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's College of Arts and Sciences. She founded and directs the Science of Child DevelopmenT And NeuRodiverSity (STARS) laboratory, focusing on cognitive and socio-emotional factors affecting academic achievement in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Education includes:

• B.A., Psychology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
• Certified Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist, Wainer Psicologia Cognitiva
• M.A., Developmental Psychology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
• M.S., Experimental Psychology, University of Louisville
• Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, University of Louisville
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Connecticut

Research focuses on understanding variability in academic outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disorders including learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, Williams syndrome, and Down syndrome. Current projects investigate socio-emotional competencies, mindfulness-based interventions for sleep improvement in Down syndrome, and biopsychosocial outcomes of educational interventions.

Publications demonstrate strong focus on emotional well-being measurement, neurodevelopmental disorders, and educational interventions, with recent work expanding into neuroimaging and epigenetic influences. Research trends show increasing integration of physiological measures and technology-based assessments.

Awards include the McNulty Civitan Scientist Award from the Civitan International Research Center and funding from NIH, NICHD, NCCIH, Learning Disabilities Foundation of America, and UAB's Center for Engagement in Disability Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Leads the STARS Lab with multiple graduate students including award-winning researcher Kibryn Lovejoy. The lab utilizes UAB's Multi-Disciplinary Driving Simulator for cognitive research and conducts community outreach including sensory-friendly events with Birmingham Barons baseball.