Jodi Quas

Jodi Quas is a Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine, with joint appointments in Nursing Science. Her work bridges developmental psychology and legal contexts, focusing on vulnerable child populations.

Her research investigates:

• Memory development in early childhood
• Impact of trauma/stress on cognitive processes
• Child witnesses' experiences in legal systems
• Physiological stress reactivity patterns
• Emotional regulation in maltreated children

Key methodologies include laboratory stress paradigms, longitudinal field studies, and forensic interview analysis.

Recent publications reveal dominant trends in:

• Multi-system physiological stress measurement (HPA axis, autonomic responses)
• Developmental trajectories in trauma processing
• Interview techniques for abuse disclosure
• Courtroom consequences for child victims

Her work consistently emphasizes practical applications for legal and child welfare systems.

Quas actively mentors graduate students and leads the Adolescent and Childhood Experience Lab, currently recruiting for the My Life and Me project studying teens aged 12-18. Her collaborative network spans UC Davis, George Mason University, UC Berkeley, and medical institutions.

Lab operations include:

• Community-based research across Orange County
• National/international field studies
• Partnerships with law enforcement
• Clinical collaborations with physicians

Current projects examine stress-coping mechanisms, maltreatment-emotional competence links, and legal system impacts on youth.