Vanessa Rainey

Vanessa Rainey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of West Florida (UWF) within the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. She teaches courses in developmental psychology and human development.

• Education: Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and Statistics (2013), M.A. in Developmental Psychology and Statistics (2009), B.S. in Psychology and Fine Arts (2006), all from Loyola University Chicago.
• Previously taught psychology courses at Loyola University Chicago before joining UWF in 2014.

Dr. Rainey’s research focuses on sensory processing differences in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD, using EEG to analyze brain activity and behavioral measures. She also investigates self-diagnosed ASD/ADHD trends in college students, home environment impacts (e.g., chaos, parenting anxiety) on child development, and integrates cognitive, socioemotional, and developmental neuroscience perspectives.

She is affiliated with UWF’s Cognitive Development Lab, which explores cognitive development across childhood and emerging adulthood using interdisciplinary methodologies.