Research Projects
Brain and Behavior Infant Experiences (BABIES)

The goal of this project is to better understand how the perinatal environment, including the hormonal milieu in utero and postnatal interactions with caregivers, influences neurodevelopment in infancy. Findings from this study will advance scientific knowledge concerning the impact of early experiences on risk for mental health difficulties.
Role: Project design, management, grant writing, data analysis, dissemination. Funding: NIMH and NICHD (PI Ian Gotlib).
Prenatal Predictors of
Preschool Temperament
A collaboration between the departments of Psychology and Pediatrics at Stanford University, the goal of this project is to investigate the contribution of prenatal markers of inflammation to temperament and neurocognitive function in early childhood. Findings from this study will increase understanding of the etiology of difficulties in socioemotional and cognitive functioning.
Role: Project design, management, grant writing, data analysis, dissemination. Funding: March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center (PIs Gary Shaw, David Stevensen); Stanford Maternal & Child Health Research Institute (PI Ian Gotlib); American Psychological Foundation (PI Lucy King).


Stanford Early Life Stress Project
In this project, we are examining how experiences of adversity in childhood contribute to neurodevelopment, hormone production, and risk for psychopathology across the transition through puberty. In this project, I study the effects of early adversity on adolescent brain circuitry and the recalibration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during puberty.
Role: Data analysis and dissemination. Funding: NIMH (PI Ian Gotlib).
King et al (2020). Psychoneuroendocrinology.
Stanford COVID-19 and Perinatal Experiences (COPE) Study
In this project, we are collaborating with an international consortium (https://osf.io/uqhcv/) to investigate the experiences of pregnant women and new mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will identify how stress related to the pandemic and characteristics of women's communities are associated with their mental health during this crisis.
Role: Project management, data analysis, and dissemination. Funding: NIMH (PI Ian Gotlib).
