معرفی
Darby Saxbe is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern California's Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, where she directs the NeuroEndocrinology of Social Ties (NEST) Lab. Her research examines how close relationships influence health, with a focus on neuroendocrine and neural adaptations during major life transitions, particularly parenthood. She leads longitudinal studies including the NSF-funded HATCH project (tracking families from pregnancy through childhood) and the CHIRP study (investigating COVID-19 impacts on new parents).
Her work integrates methods from psychology, neuroscience, and endocrinology to explore:
- Hormonal coordination (cortisol, testosterone, oxytocin) in couples
- Brain plasticity in new fathers ('fathering brain')
- Prenatal stress impacts on child development
- Postpartum mental health disparities
- Family resilience during societal crises
Dr. Saxbe's publications reveal consistent themes: neuroplasticity during parenthood is linked to both mental health risks (e.g., postpartum depression) and adaptive outcomes (e.g., bonding), with pandemic-related stress exacerbating negative affectivity in infants. Her recent work emphasizes paternal neurobiology—a historically understudied area.
Honors:
- Fulbright Fellow
Research Leadership: She mentors graduate students and oversees the NEST Lab, which employs 6+ doctoral candidates and staff. Current grants include NSF and NIH funding for projects on perinatal stress, neural reorganization in parents, and dyadic hormone dynamics.
Lab Focus: The NEST Lab investigates social ties as biological regulators, using fMRI, hormone assays, and behavioral observation to study family systems during critical transitions.
