I study mood disorders and associated clinical phenomena, including suicide. My current research program is focused on innovative, technology-based approaches to improve the rapid identification of symptoms in youth and to facilitate access to evidence-based care. Much of my work utilizes digital phenotyping – the “moment-by-moment quantification of the human phenotype in situ using data collected through individuals’ smartphones” as a way by which to measure symptoms over time. This approach is low burden, cost efficient, and scalable, making it a promising approach for long-term mental health monitoring. I currently have a K23 Career Development Award from NIMH to use digital phenotyping to address the clinical challenge of identifying the imminent onset of new manic or depressive episodes in youth with bipolar disorder. The results of this study will inform future work to use technology to predict mood changes prospectively. Additionally, I have a NARSAD Young Investigator Award from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation to use digital phenotyping to monitor suicide risk in youth and identify those in need of immediate, preventive intervention.
Some of my completed studies include (1) an investigation of text-message-based assessment and peer support as a tool to improve mental health outcomes in adolescents, (2) a pilot study of wearable devices as a way by which to assess discharge readiness in hospitalized adolescents, (3) an RCT of blue light-blocking glasses as a way by which to improve sleep and mental health outcomes in college students, (4) an RCT of a computer-based intervention to improve social cognition in young people with bipolar disorder. Additionally, I have published work using social media posts to identify risk for relapse in young people with serious mental illness, and on the role young people’s online activity can play in identifying and preventing suicide. My work on pediatric bipolar disorder and evidence-based assessment helped to establish the validity of bipolar disorder as a mental health disorder in youth and to define best practices for diagnosis of mood disorders in youth. I have received a number of awards, including the Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science and a Visionary Grant from the American Psychological Foundation. I graduated from Dartmouth College and earned my PhD in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
