Supervising Faculty: Heather M. Joseph, DO, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Department of Psychiatry
To Apply: Complete the application form at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_868xsYofxbdChMO. Once you submit, please email Dr. Heather Joseph at liebherrh@upmc.edu or Michelle Wilson at wilsonm13@upmc.edu to confirm you have submitted the application form.
Contact: Heather M. Joseph, DO, liebherrh@upmc.edu
Area of Research: Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology
Description of Research: The Attention, Hyperactivity, and Early Neurodevelopment Study (AtHENS) is a longitudinal study of preschool-aged children with and without symptoms of ADHD. Children enrolled at ages 3 or 4 to complete two in-person lab visits, 2 years apart. At the lab visits, the child will complete fNIRS tasks and neurodevelopmental assessments. The primary caregiver for each child will also complete cooperative fNIRS tasks with the child, as well as report on their mental health and parenting and the child’s behavior. Dr. Joseph aims to identify early neurobehavioral predictors of childhood ADHD, as well as both risk and resilience factors that contribute to the heritability of ADHD, including parenting behaviors that may serve as points of intervention in future work.
Duties of Students:
- Participate in laboratory visits (e.g., record parent-child interactions, assist with fNIRS setup, provide childcare for siblings during portions of the visits)
- Observational coding of child and/or parent behavior
- Data entry (e.g., child neurodevelopmental questions/assessments, child diagnostic evaluations)
- Contribute to participant recruitment efforts
- Attend study-specific and lab-wide meetings
- Journal Club/educational seminars
- Prepare end of semester directed research project
Requirements:
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
- 12 credits of Psychology (including current term)
- STAT 0200/1000/1100 Statistics
- PSY 0036 Research Methods Lecture
- PSY 0037 Research Methods Lab
- Minimum of 2 credit hours
- 2 term commitment is necessary for sufficient time to be trained in observational research methods
- Some weekend availability to participate in research visits
Recruitment Process: All students are asked to submit an unofficial transcript and resume. Meetings with Dr. Joseph are scheduled for all students who demonstrate academic excellence in psychology coursework and preferentially for those who have experience working with children. During the meeting, Dr. Joseph introduces herself describing her educational background (research and clinical), provides an overview of the research study aims, the range of student responsibilities, and student expectations with an emphasis on research integrity and professionalism with participant families. Students are asked about their experience and comfort working with children. They are also asked to describe their goals for participation in directed research and how this lab aligns with their future career goals. Students have the opportunity to ask questions. They are told that they do not have to make a decision immediately and instead should consider if the lab/project is a good fit for them and respond by e-mail once they have decided. Students will be enrolled with a rolling acceptance until all spots are filled. In the case that more students simultaneously apply than spots are available, preference will be given to students who have comfort with the research methods and protocol. In line with the YFRP commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, students who demonstrate understanding of the socio-historically based structural disadvantage that affects people of color and/or knowledge of stigma and discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ+) community are preferred.
Terms offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Number of Students: 5
Lab website: https://yfrp.pitt.edu/AtHENS