Our work

What impact do adverse childhood experiences—such as trauma, emotional deprivation, maternal substance use, or later personal substance use—have on an individual’s development? Can early adversities, even as early as the prenatal period, influence a child's mental health later in life? Furthermore, do these impacts persist across multiple generations? And are these effects detectable at the molecular level, perhaps through biological markers like methylation changes, or in a cascade of alterations in neurohormonal and neurotransmitter systems that ultimately shape a child’s emotional regulation and behavior?

Our research focuses on understanding how early life adversities influence mental health, tracking children from the prenatal period through adolescence. By examining these early experiences, we aim to identify key developmental trajectories of both risk and resilience, highlighting critical periods where timely and targeted interventions can significantly alter outcomes.

We begin by investigating the prenatal period, a foundational time for a child’s development. Here, we explore the effects of preterm birth, maternal psychiatric disorders, as well as maternal trauma and substance use. Through longitudinal studies, we monitor children over time to assess lasting impacts on brain development and behavior. A particular focus of our work is on the epigenetic mechanisms that may mediate prenatal influences, altering neurophysiological and neurohormonal functions in ways that affect later mental health.

In addition to prenatal influences, our research also delves into the symptom manifestation of mental health issues in early childhood, particularly during the critical first six years of life. We investigate how young children cope with adversities and trauma, aiming to improve our understanding of the etiology, symptom development, and unique characteristics of trauma-related disorders in early childhood. This knowledge is vital for informing diagnostic and treatment approaches for young children who have experienced early trauma. Our focus also extends to the trajectory of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder throughout childhood and adolescence.

Finally, we turn our attention to adolescents struggling with substance-use disorders, one of the most vulnerable and often highly traumatized groups. Our research explores the development of addiction in this population, examining the role of co-occurring psychiatric disorders, as well as the neurocognitive changes that result from, and contribute to, chronic substance use. By understanding these complex challenges, we aim to develop and evaluate therapies that offer comprehensive and effective treatment for adolescents facing substance-use disorders.