Dr. Michael Arthur Russell's lab focuses on understanding alcohol misuse among young adults, particularly how to improve the accuracy of self-reports regarding drinking behaviors. They use innovative wearable sensors that measure alcohol levels in real-time to study how drinking patterns relate to alcohol-related consequences and disorders. The lab's work aims to provide insights that could help in reducing alcohol-related harm in both college students and non-college adults.

Dr. Katie L. Burkhouse's lab at Penn State University focuses on understanding how trauma and maternal depression affect children's mental health. They study the brain's response to negative and positive emotional situations to find early indicators of depression in children. This research aims to develop new prevention strategies for youth at risk of developing mood disorders.

Dr. Koraly E. Perez-Edgar's lab at Penn State focuses on understanding how anxiety can be transmitted from parents to children, especially during early childhood. The research examines the moment-by-moment interactions between parents and their children, exploring how these dynamics influence a child's emotional development and risk for anxiety. The lab also contributes to a national study that investigates how various environmental factors affect children's brain development from before birth through early childhood.

Anne Olmstead's lab at Penn State focuses on understanding how individuals with communication disorders, particularly those with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), can improve their verbal communication. The lab studies both structured and natural conversations to learn how speech patterns change as ALS progresses and how interventions can better support those affected. By involving caregivers in research, the lab aims to enhance communication strategies that improve quality of life for people with degenerative conditions.

Dr. Stephanie T Lanza's research lab focuses on understanding the complex patterns of substance use among young adult college students, particularly examining how daily behaviors and psychological factors intersect. The lab uses advanced statistical methods to analyze intensive longitudinal data collected via smartphones, allowing for insights into the dynamics of substance use and aiding in the development of targeted interventions. By revealing risk factors and developing best practices for data analysis, the lab aims to enhance prevention strategies around substance use on college campuses.

Dr. Emily Ansell's lab focuses on understanding how the simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis affects behavior and brain function. Their research explores the neurological and hormonal responses to stress in individuals who frequently use both substances compared to those who use only one or neither. The goal is to better understand the risks associated with co-use and to inform prevention and treatment strategies.

Dr. Krista M. Wilkinson's lab focuses on understanding the unique challenges faced by individuals with Down syndrome, particularly related to speech production and swallowing. The research examines how specific physical and cognitive characteristics of Down syndrome affect these processes, aiming to develop more effective interventions tailored to the needs of this population. By integrating insights across various fields, the lab seeks to enhance communication and life quality for individuals with Down syndrome.

Dr. Frank Gerard Hillary's research lab at Penn State focuses on improving our understanding of traumatic brain injury (TBI) through advanced data sharing and analysis techniques. The lab is part of the ENIGMA consortium, which aims to harmonize brain imaging and behavioral data from diverse studies, facilitating large-scale analyses that can identify meaningful patient subgroups. By creating tools and pipelines for data harmonization, the lab seeks to enhance clinical outcomes for TBI patients and contribute to broader neuroscience research.

Dr. Robert J. Turrisi's lab conducts research aimed at reducing risky alcohol and cannabis use among college students through innovative parent-based interventions. The lab focuses on creating effective discussions between parents and their college-bound teens regarding substance use, particularly in light of increasing legalization and usage rates. Their recent studies indicate that enhanced parental guidance can lead to decreased substance use in this age group, reflecting the lab's commitment to improving student health outcomes.

Dr. Martha E. Wadsworth's lab at Penn State focuses on addressing mental health issues among low-income adolescents, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lab is especially interested in how chronic stress affects mental health and developing interventions that empower youth to cope with these challenges. Through programs like the Building a Strong Identity and Coping Skills (BaSICS), they aim to reduce mental health disparities by fostering resilience and social identity in young people.

Asher Y. Rosinger's research lab at Penn State investigates the effects of drinking water salinity on health, particularly in hot environments. This research is crucial as increasing groundwater salinity poses a health risk, potentially affecting kidney function and blood pressure. The lab aims to establish clear links between salinity levels in drinking water and various health outcomes over time, emphasizing the importance of safe water standards for public health.