Na Zhang

Na Zhang, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Connecticut and director of the FRAME (Family Resilience And Mindfulness Empowerment) Lab. Her work bridges clinical psychology, prevention science, and family resilience research with a focus on trauma-exposed populations.

Education:

• T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Arizona State University
• Ph.D., University of Minnesota
• M.Ed., Tsinghua University

Dr. Zhang investigates intrapersonal and interpersonal pathways in psychopathology and resilience development among youth and adults exposed to traumatic experiences. She pioneers behavioral parent training programs that position parents as agents of change, with a signature focus on integrating mindfulness training to optimize intervention efficacy. Her research spans bereavement, military family dynamics, and structural inequity impacts, emphasizing culturally responsive adaptations for diverse populations including BIPOC communities and divorced families.

Analysis of her recent 15 publications reveals consistent thematic threads: mindfulness-enhanced parenting interventions for high-risk families, longitudinal developmental pathways in grief and trauma recovery, and neural correlates of self-compassion in depression. Her work increasingly addresses health equity through community-based participatory approaches, particularly for underserved groups like Latina pregnant women and military families.

Scientific Awards:

• K01 career development award from National Institute of Mental Health (K01MH122502) for 'A digital mindfulness-informed parenting intervention for high-risk divorced families'

As Principal Investigator of her NIMH K01 award, Dr. Zhang leads the development of scalable digital interventions while mentoring FRAME Lab researchers. Though specific student advisees aren't listed in source materials, her lab structure implies active supervision of graduate students and research staff in grant-funded projects spanning bereavement, military family resilience, and mindfulness mechanisms.

The FRAME Lab operates as an interdisciplinary hub conducting RCTs, longitudinal studies, and neural imaging research. Current initiatives include digital intervention development for divorced families, prenatal mindfulness programs for BIPOC women, and 15-year follow-ups on bereavement program efficacy, all emphasizing real-world implementation in community settings.