Dr. Edith Chen

Biography

Edith Chen is the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Professor in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University. Her research focuses on understanding the impact of poverty on physical health outcomes in children, specifically analyzing the psychological and biological mechanisms that underlie these relationships. An important aspect of her work examines resilience, particularly how children facing adversity can manage challenges and thrive while maintaining positive health profiles. She has published extensively in prestigious journals, contributing notable studies that explore topics such as family disadvantage and education, racial disparities in school belonging, the effects of discrimination on inflammation among adolescents, and the health consequences of upward mobility. In her capacity as a researcher, she provides critical insights into the psychosocial factors influencing health throughout various stages of development and the implications for public health policy.

Research Interests

Experience