Dr. Kathryn Tabb, Bard College

Thinking About Genetics When We Think About Each Other

Dr. Erin Sheets, Colby College

It Hurts Because it Matters: Relationship Stress and Depression in Emerging Adults

Stressful life events are known to precede depression, but we may be more reactive to some forms of stress than others. This talk will explore evidence that interpersonal stress – problems with peers, romantic partners, or family – uniquely affects the course of depression. Our longitudinal and experience sampling data suggest that improving social functioning and shifting one’s mindset about interpersonal problems are important aims when treating current depression or preventing future depression in young adults.

Dr. Kristina Rapuano, Yale University

At Risk for Being Risky: Contextualizing Brain Signatures of Vulnerability to Health-risk Behaviors in the Real-world

Dr. Maria Galano, University of Massachusetts–Amherst

Investigating Childhood PTSD: Disparities, Developmental Trajectories, and Intervention

Exposure to traumatic stress is associated with wide-ranging negative outcomes, including increased risk for the development of psychopathology throughout the lifespan. Using a cultural developmental psychopathology lens, I am interested in understanding how the family and social context affect individual pathways to risk and resilience following traumatic stress exposure. A primary aim of this program is to uncover the mechanisms by which early-life violence affects long-term well-being, which I then aim to translate into more refined intervention delivery for trauma-exposed populations. My recent work has centered on the presentation, development, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children exposed to chronic violence early in life, with a specific focus on the timing and severity of trauma exposure, as well as on disparities in PTSD outcomes. In this talk, I will discuss the results and future directions of this research.

Kenny Fries, on writing the body different at home and abroad

Dr. Stuart Levine, Bard College