Leah Doane

Leah Doane is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University (ASU) since 2025. She holds affiliations with the Biodesign Center for Personalized Diagnostics and previously served as Associate Dean of Graduate Initiatives in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (2024). Her academic background includes a B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University (2002), M.A. and Ph.D. in Human Development and Social Policy from Northwestern University (2006/2008), and a postdoc at the University of Chicago in Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience.

Research focuses on developmental psychopathology, examining links between health behaviors, physiological stress (e.g., cortisol), and stressful experiences across childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood—with particular emphasis on Latinx youth and college transition challenges. Key themes include cultural adaptation, sleep health, epigenetic influences, and bicultural stress. Funded by NIH, CDC, and Army Research Institute, her work integrates ecological and ambulatory assessment methods.

Leadership roles include Director of Faculty Success, Developmental Graduate Training Area Head, and Deputy Chair in ASU's Psychology Department. Awards include William T. Grant Foundation Scholar (2025-). Active in teaching advanced courses on research methods and thesis supervision, she mentors students through courses like Honors Thesis (PSY 493), Research (PSY 792), and Dissertation (PSY 799).

Key grants include studies on Latino youth college pathways (Helios Education Foundation, 2015-2016), genetic/environmental influences on sleep and behavior (NICHD, 2015-2020), and culturally informed interventions. The Adolescent Stress and Emotion Lab (adolescentstressandemotionlab.org) serves as her research hub.