Faculty Researchers
As a developmental psychopathologist, Dr. Kerig’s research focuses on the developmental processes that contribute to risk or resilience across the lifespan. Dr. Kerig obtained her PhD in clinical psychology from University of California at Berkeley, and trained in a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She has long-standing interests in understanding the effects of trauma and violence on child development and family processes, including studies of interparental conflict, family violence, maltreatment, parent-child discord, and other forms of trauma exposure. Her broader experience in research has included investigations of the ways in which risk factors affect relationships among family members, such as in the study of parent-child boundary dissolution, as well as studying implications for family dynamics, personality, and romantic relationships in teens. Dr. Kerig also has an abiding interest in the study of resilience--uncovering the protective factors that allow children to overcome the risks associated with family stress and trauma will help us to design intervention and prevention programs that are developmentally sensitive and effective in real-world settings.
Graduate Students
Diana’s primary research interests include identifying the factors influencing risk and resilience for trauma-exposed youth, specifically looking at the intersection between psychological and psychophysiological factors. Previously, she worked at the USC Family Studies Project as a research assistant and as the project coordinator. In her spare time Diana enjoys tubing, snowshoeing, playing and watching sports, and arts and crafts. Diana recently completed her clinical training at the U and is in the course of completing her internship at the V.A. in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Before beginning graduate studies, Shannon conducted research as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin Madison and post-graduation at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. It was a combination of her research experience along with volunteer activities with adolescents that motivated Shannon to apply to graduate school and pursue clinical psychology as a career. As a fifth year student her interests encompass gender, adolescence, and developmental psychopathology. Shannon is primarily interested in looking at the differential developmental pathways that lead to girl's delinquency and involvement in the juvenile justice system in comparison to boys. When she is not wrapped up in the world of research and classes, Shannon enjoys reading non-academic books, Pilates, drawing, cooking, hiking, watching Badger football and hockey games, and spending time with family and friends.
Before graduate school, Crosby conducted psychological research at the University of Michigan and served as an Americorps VISTA at Passaic County Court Appointed Special Advocates in Wayne, NJ. Crosby’s primary research interests include the association between trauma exposure and emotion dyregulation, especially in youth known to both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Recently, she was an awarded an NSF GRFP to investigate the concept of desensitization in detained youth and how this might predict future violence perpetration. When Crosby is not conducting research or clinical work, she enjoys playing tennis, cheering on the Michigan Wolverines, and traveling.
Before entering graduate school, Michaela conducted research as an undergraduate at Loyola University Chicago. While there she worked in two research labs where she conducted research on how people respond to racism and sexism and how exposure to community violence affects African American and Latino youth living in highly-violent communities in Chicago. Investigating how youth of color are disproportionately exposed to community violence and involved in the juvenile justice system led Michaela to pursue her current research interest focused on how trauma exposure can lead to delinquency. Recently she was awarded an NSF GRFP, with which she plans to explore how trauma exposure relates to the development of callous-unemotional traits and delinquency. Outside of research, Michaela enjoys trying new restaurants, spending time with friends, and keeping up on the latest movies.
Past Students
Cristina’s research interests are broadly focused on developing effective interventions targeting the family system. She started graduate school working with Dr. Paul Florsheim on a coparenting intervention study for teen parents, and more recently worked with Dr. Patricia Kerig in developing a trauma-focused version of Functional Family Therapy. Cristina completed her APA internship at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute at the University of Utah, and is currently working as a clinician there.