What projects and/or research studies are you currently working on?
My research focuses on individual differences in socioemotional development. I investigate why and how individuals differ in how they express and regulate their emotions, often starting from a very young age. Ultimately, I want to better understand how characteristics of the child (e.g., temperament) and their environment (e.g., prenatal exposures, parenting, peers, and broader sociocultural context) interact to create the individual differences we observe in children’s social and emotional lives. Better understanding the mechanisms underlying individual differences in normative socioemotional development can inform risk for psychopathology. Because socioemotional development is a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social processes, my work draws from multiple sources of evidence at different levels of analysis. To achieve this, I conduct high-risk, high-reward studies with new paradigms at the University of Southern California (USC), while also engaging in large-scale collaborations.
For example, in my lab at USC, we are working on new measures of attention using electroencephalography (EEG) that can better capture affective processing across development, including young infants. I also contribute to several large-scale collaborations, such as the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study, and the Gates Neuroimaging Consortium. This allows me to scale my research to larger samples and address questions about children’s socioemotional development that would not be possible without these collaborations. For example, in recent and ongoing studies, we have examined the effects of perinatal maternal physical and mental health on children’s socioemotional development, such as psychopathology and temperament. Ultimately, by better understanding the mechanisms of socioemotional development, my work aims to provide a foundation for the design and implementation of early prevention and intervention programs that will promote adaptive developmental outcomes.
What advice would you give someone starting out in an academic position?
Develop habits that work for you and your goals. One of the benefits of academia is the flexibility that we have in our schedule. Identify when you are most productive on different aspects of the research process (e.g., analysis, writing, reading, etc.), create a consistent schedule, and stick with it until it is a habit. We all work differently, so it is important to figure out what works for you so you can make it a sustainable habit and stay productive. For example, I have learned that I am productive writing and analyzing data from 9 pm to midnight, so I try to do that every night. On the other hand, I save things like proofreading and reading others’ manuscripts for the morning.
What is something you did not know, but wish you knew, when you started your career?
There are so many things! When I started, I had a very naïve perspective of academia, so I am still learning. But the biggest lesson was understanding how funding works. If you are interested in an academic career, my advice is to spend time early on understanding the funding landscape in your field.
What are some ways that you strive for work-life balance?
This is a difficult question for me. I really enjoy what I do and would probably do a lot of it for fun (and even for free). A lot of times I cannot believe I get paid to think, learn, discuss with experts, mentor brilliant students, and produce new knowledge on children’s development. I am also married to an academic, so a lot of our dinner conversations are about papers, grants, and ideas we are excited about (or stuck with!). Because of this, I have a hard time distinguishing between work and life.
The main thing I try to do is vary my tasks throughout the day. For example, if I am grading or doing administrative work during the day, I make sure to engage in more exciting work in the afternoon (e.g., analyses or discussing new ideas with a colleague). I also make it a habit to take time off every day for a 20-minute nap, spend time with my family, and work out. I have found that blocking off chunks of time is helpful to make sure I do not work or feel like I should be working.
What activities do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I like being active with my family and friends, such as hiking with my wife, playing fútbol (soccer), swimming, or running with my dog.
Was there a particular piece of advice you received that really has stuck with you and has helped you make decisions along the way?
We usually underestimate the role of luck. I recently read a book of reflections from influential developmental psychologists, edited by Frank Kessel (2025). Several of these "pillars" of the field looked back and highlighted the role of serendipity in their distinguished careers. Following this advice, I try to diversify my projects and methodological approaches by working on multiple projects at once. This advice also helps me cope with rejection and encourages me to keep trying.
What are the biggest problems or challenges for society that psychology should seek to solve right now?
I think developmental psychology is uniquely poised to help solve the rising rates of mental health problems. We will need a developmental perspective to identify individuals at the highest risk and understand the mechanisms that lead to maladaptive outcomes in youth and adults. By providing crucial insight into these processes, developmental psychology will inform the design of effective and scalable prevention and intervention efforts.