Dr.

Biography

The SPARK Lab at Stanford University focuses on understanding the influences of adversity on children's adaptation across various domains, including school engagement, academic competence, and positive peer relationships. The lab aims to identify the biological, behavioral, and environmental processes that enable disadvantaged children to demonstrate remarkable resilience, despite being at risk for maladaptive outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and disruptive behaviors. Furthermore, the research explores how children's biological sensitivity to their environments shapes their health and overall well-being. The lab also studies the role of self-regulatory skills in helping children cope with daily challenges by gaining control over their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By identifying families and teachers who can assist children with differing biological reactivity profiles and self-regulatory capacities, the SPARK Lab aims to develop and implement prevention and intervention programs tailored to improve children's lives. This research is particularly relevant for children from diverse family, socio-economic, and ethnic backgrounds.

Research Interests