Emily C. Merz

Socioeconomic inequality leads to differences in children's experiences that impact their growth and development. I am a professor of psychology who runs the LEARN lab at Colorado State University. In the LEARN lab, we study how these experiences may impact the developing brain to better understand ways to support families and communities and reduce the effects of disadvantage. We investigate stress-related mechanisms through which socioeconomic disadvantage may impact the developing brain and in turn children's emotional and cognitive outcomes. We also focus on the positive and protective factors that promote resilience. The goal of our work is to contribute to reducing socioeconomic disparities in children's health and development. I received my PhD from the University of Pittsburgh; completed my clinical internship at the University of California, San Diego; and completed postdoctoral training at Columbia University.