Jessica M. Black

Jessica M. Black is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Children, Youth and Families Field of Practice at the School of Social Work, Boston College. She also directs the Cell to Society Lab and holds the role of Teaching Chair. Her academic background includes a B.A. from UC Berkeley, M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford School of Medicine.

Education:

• B.A., University of California, Berkeley
• M.A., Stanford University
• Ph.D., Stanford University
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University School of Medicine

Research interests include Educational Neuroscience, Neurodiversity, and integrating neuroscience into social work curricula. She focuses on child and adolescent development, particularly in areas such as dyslexia, motivation, positive emotion, spirituality, sleep, and mental health. Her work emphasizes translational science and policy implications, aiming to bridge neuroscience with practical social work applications.

Her recent research explores the neurobiological underpinnings of trauma, PTSD, and humor processing. She has contributed to understanding how biological development interacts with environmental factors like family, education, and faith-based practices. Her interdisciplinary approach combines insights from psychology, education, and theology.

Black has secured significant grants, including the Neuroscience Education in Theology Training (NETT Project) and initiatives on student wellbeing and play-based interventions. Her awards include two Teaching Excellence Awards from Boston College School of Social Work (2015, 2016).

She leads the Cell to Society Lab, fostering collaborations across disciplines to advance understanding of child and family well-being through a neurosocial lens.