Santiago Morales

Santiago Morales is an Assistant Professor in Psychology and Pediatrics at the University of Southern California. His research focuses on individual differences in emotion and emotion regulation (temperament) and their impact on socioemotional development, particularly internalizing and externalizing psychopathology in children. He employs behavioral observations, eye tracking, EEG, and fMRI to explore these mechanisms.

• Education: Ph.D. (2017) and M.S. (2013) in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University, B.A. (2011) in Neuroscience from Hiram College.
• Postdoctoral Training: University of Maryland (2017–2021) under Dr. Nathan Fox.

Research Interests: Temperament, developmental pathways to anxiety, neurocognitive profiles, and socioemotional outcomes. He investigates how early individual differences interact with environmental factors to shape mental health trajectories.

Scientific Awards:

• 2025 USC Mentoring Award
• 2025 APA Boyd McCandless Award
• 2024 Raubenheimer Award
• 2024 ISDP Kucharski Young Investigator Award
• 2023 SRCD Early Career Award
• 2022 APS Rising Star

Grants: Co-PI on NSF, NIH, NIMH, and Gates Foundation grants addressing neurodevelopmental outcomes, maternal health impacts, and environmental health disparities. Current projects include CAREER and Bio-Adaptive Systems for Affordable Modular Housing.