University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · PsychologyCohen Neurodevelopment Lab
Jessica R Cohen · Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Research Focus
Jessica R Cohen's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how brain development and executive function (EF) relate to mental health outcomes from birth to early adulthood. The research aims to identify how changes in brain networks influence executive function and can predict the risk for psychopathology. By using advanced imaging techniques and a unique longitudinal study, the lab aims to uncover critical periods for intervention that may improve life outcomes for at-risk youth.
executive functionbrain developmentpsychopathologylongitudinal studyneurocognitive trajectoriesfMRIneuroplasticitymental healthtransdiagnostic risk
Research Aims
3AIM 01Characterize neural and behavioral trajectories of executive function from infancy to emerging adulthood.
AIM 02Establish how neural trajectories relate to brain organization during executive function tasks.
AIM 03Determine the divergence of EF-related neural trajectories based on psychopathology and environmental risk factors.
Skills the Lab Values
fMRI image analysislongitudinal data collectionbehavioral assessmentcomputational modelingneuroplasticity measurementdata managementstatistical analysisresearch ethicschild psychology techniques
Output against the department
Publications101bottom 27% of dept.216th of 296
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.1kbottom 39% of dept.182nd of 296
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.