Developmental Psychopathology Lab

Collection of research images from the Developmental Psychopathology Lab

Welcome to the Developmental Psychopathology Lab Website!

The principal investigator of the lab is Dr. Isaac T. Petersen of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at The University of Iowa.

Read about our research

Check out our publications

Meet our team

About Us

We study how children develop behavior problems as well as positive adjustment by considering multiple levels of analysis, including biological, psychological, and social-contextual processes. We place special emphasis on early development, which may lead to improved intervention and prevention approaches.

Our Mission

We are striving to improve the health and well-being of families and communities by conducting research to advance the understanding of human development.

Diversity Statement

We seek to include members of various cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds so that our research might best represent the families which make up our diverse communities. We aim to provide a welcoming and respectful environment for people of all backgrounds.

Our Spring 2026 Lab Team

Photo of lab members — **First Row:** Dr. Isaac Petersen (Principal Investigator), Zachary Demko (Graduate Student), Megan Schumer (Graduate Student), Madeline Metz (Lab Coordinator); **Second Row:** Claire Opdahl (RA), Lola Frimml (RA), Maya Shelangoski (RA), Lydia Winick (RA), Mackenzie McIlrath (RA); **Third Row:** Abigail Trentz (RA), Leen Kassas (RA), Lily Woodworth Wisdom (RA), Jay Nguyen (RA); **Fourth Row:** Penelope Klein (RA), Kate Ramaekers (RA), Gabrielle DeLeon (RA), Phuong Huynh (RA); **Back Row:** Amelia Cleary (RA), Reagan Haase (RA), Emily Sansone (RA), Charlie Duffy (RA), Benjamin Stavar (RA); **Not Pictured:** Mihika Iyer (RA), Emily Kelly (RA)

Keep Up With the Lab

2023 Newsletter