Heather C. Janisse

Heather C. Janisse is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Eastern Michigan University, serving as Faculty Advisor for Psi Chi/Psychology Club and teaching core courses including General Psychology, Child Psychology, and Developmental Psychology. Her research and academic work focus on developmental processes in at-risk youth within educational contexts.

Education:

• Ph.D., Wayne State University
• M.A., Wayne State University
• B.S., Eastern Michigan University

Dr. Janisse's research program centers on understanding how educational environments and parent-child dynamics shape social, cognitive, and health trajectories in vulnerable youth populations. She specifically targets health disparities among minority children through Head Start preschool interventions.

Her primary research domains include:

• Developmental Psychology
• Child Psychology
• Pediatric Obesity
• Health Disparities
• Parent-Child Relationships
• At-risk Youth Development
• Social and Cognitive Development
• Head Start Interventions

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on improving outcomes for marginalized children through family-centered approaches. Her work spans pediatric obesity interventions, father involvement in chronic illness management, and technology impacts on preschool development, with strong emphasis on Head Start populations and African American communities to address systemic health inequities.

Dr. Janisse mentors students through Psi Chi and the Parents for Healthy Kids (PHK) Lab, which operates a federally funded (NIH/NIDDK) obesity intervention trial for Detroit Head Start children. This project focuses on enhancing parent-child interactions and physical health outcomes through culturally responsive family engagement strategies.

The PHK Lab in the Science Complex cultivates collaborative student-faculty research teams dedicated to advancing healthy development in minority children and families. Their work integrates physical activity promotion, nutritional awareness, and mental health support to create sustainable interventions for communities facing systemic health challenges.