معرفی
Laura Baker is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern California (USC), affiliated with the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. She directs the Southern California Twin Project, focusing on behavioral genetics and the genetic bases of conduct problems in youth. Her research explores how heredity and environment influence behavior, with a focus on aggression, antisocial behavior, and psychopathology. She has held leadership roles, including President of the Behavior Genetics Association (2006–2007).
Baker earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Colorado (1983), following an M.A. (1982) and B.A. (1978) from the same and University of Kansas, respectively. She has authored over 150 publications, including books and chapters on behavioral genetics and crime.
Her research interests include genetic influences on antisocial behavior, psychopathic traits, and developmental trajectories. Recent work examines the interplay between genetics, environment, and externalizing behaviors, with studies on resting heart rate, empathy, and socioeconomic factors. Key findings highlight genetic contributions to traits like sensation-seeking and the role of environmental moderators.
Baker has received the Dobzhansky Award for Lifetime Contributions in Behavioral Genetics (2021) and other honors. Her lab has trained numerous graduate students now in academia, research, and industry. She also teaches courses in Behavioral Genetics, Multivariate Statistics, and Contemplative Neuroscience.
