Mission Statement

At the Arizona State University Child Emotion Center researchers explore early biological and environmental risk and protective factors for later mental and physical health of children. Under the direction of the center's founder Dr. Kathryn Lemery-Chalfant, graduate and undergraduate students use twin studies to separate out the effects of genes and the environment on development. Our methods include measures from multiple levels of analysis, such as genetic, physiological and behavioral, in order to better understand mechanisms of development and brain-behavior relationships. The overarching goal of the Child Emotion Center is to identify pathways to resilience, or the ability to bounce back from stress and adversity and thrive in life.

Through research we strive to enhance knowledge in child developmental psychology.