Heather Yarger

Heather Yarger is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, specializing in psychophysiological bases of anxiety in autistic youth. She leads the PAANDA Lab and holds a NIH/NIMH K08 Award (2024-2028) funding her research on anxiety biomarkers in neurodivergent populations. Her work emphasizes health equity, particularly for marginalized autistic youth.

• Education: PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Delaware (2018)
• Internship: Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Research interests focus on autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and developmental psychophysiology. She investigates neural mechanisms of social interaction, mental health disparities, and longitudinal outcomes in neurodivergent populations. Recent work highlights pandemic impacts on adolescent mental health and intersectional challenges faced by Black autistic youth.

Grants & Awards:

• NIH/NIMH K08 Award (2024-2028)

Labs & Teams: Director of the PAANDA Lab, collaborating on interdisciplinary projects combining neuroimaging, psychophysiology, and clinical interventions.