Our research seeks to understand the drivers of both mental illness and mental wellbeing across the lifespan. To date, much of our work has focused on the social and biological underpinnings of depression and anxiety among women, children, adolescents, and other vulnerable populations, including racial/ethnic minorities and people of low socioeconomic status. 

We study a range of biological factors and processes contributing to mental health—including the role of genetic variation and epigenetic mechanisms—as well as biological markers of future risk, such as markers captured in children’s primary or “baby” teeth.  

We also study multiple social factors, including the role of early life environmental exposures and stressors such as childhood adversity, on mental health across the life course.  

Our long-term goal is to translate discoveries about causal mechanisms underlying risk and resilience into population-based preventive strategies that not only reduce the onset of brain-related health problems, but also promote brain health. 

Recognizing that interdisciplinary approaches can lead to breakthrough discoveries, we routinely collaborate with scientists across several disciplines, spanning epidemiology, genetics, epigenetics, dentistry, anthropology, pediatrics, and developmental neuroscience.  

Our work has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, One Mind, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, the Russell Sage Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.