Abstract:

The biobehavioral consequences of adversity are pervasive, affecting multiple domains of functioning across development including the internal hormonal milieu, physical health, and behavior. During this talk, I will present findings from studies which aimed to understand how adversity experienced during childhood and adolescence impact health and well-being across development, with a focus on childhood maltreatment. Particular emphasis will be placed on adaptation of the stress response system, one mechanism through which early life adversity is thought to contribute to risk for future health and behavior problems.

Bio:

Melissa Peckins is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the training grant in Developmental Psychology at the University of Michigan, where she works under the guidance of Dr. Luke Hyde and Dr. Vonnie McLoyd to study the intersection between biology, context, and behavior. More specifically, she is interested in studying how the context in which children and adolescents live influences neural processes, functioning of the stress response system, and future behavior. Before joining the University of Michigan, Dr. Peckins received her Ph.D. in Biobehavioral Health from the Pennsylvania State University where she utilized a multi-level, interdisciplinary approach to study psychobiological outcomes of child maltreatment.