Family Adversity and Resilience Research Program
Our Team
Margaret Briggs-Gowan, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, Yale University
M.Phil., Developmental Psychology, Yale University
M.S., Developmental Psychology, Yale University
B.A., Honors Psychology, Brown University
Dr. Briggs-Gowan is a developmental psychologist and associate professor of psychiatry at the UConn School of Medicine. Her research focuses on: (1) the social-emotional development and well-being of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; (2) the effects of early life adversity on children’s emotions, behavior, and development; and (3) improving methods for identifying and helping families with young children who are showing early signs of emotional or behavioral problems.
Damion Grasso, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, University of Delaware
M.A., General Psychology, Wesleyan University
B.A., Psychology, Skidmore College
Dr. Grasso is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the UConn School of Medicine. Dr. Grasso’s research focuses on: (1) evidence-based assessment of trauma exposure and symptoms; (2) psychosocial interventions for treating trauma-related symptoms; (3) psychosocial and biological mechanisms associated with trauma-related stress reactivity in children; and (4) intergenerational patterns of cumulative exposure to adversity and trauma and associated risk of psychopathology and impairment. Dr. Grasso also provides clinical treatment of trauma-related problems at the UConn Health Psychological Trauma Clinic.
Carolyn Greene, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston
M.A., Clinical Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston
A.B., Psychology, Health and Development, Stanford University
Dr. Greene is a licensed clinical child psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at the UConn School of Medicine. She specializes in the treatment of traumatic stress disorders and problems of emotion regulation with children, adolescents, and families. Her current research focuses on investigating how parents and children manage their emotions after very stressful life experiences. Dr. Greene also provides clinical treatment of trauma-related problems at the UConn Health Psychological Trauma Clinic.
Brandon Goldstein, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Stony Brook University
M.A., Clinical Psychology, Stony Brook University
B.S., Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park
Dr. Goldstein is a postdoctoral researcher at the UConn School of Medicine. Dr. Goldstein’s research is currently focused broadly on child maltreatment and intimate partner violence and how these factors influence neuroelectrophysiological, biological, and behavioral responses to stress, family functioning and the development of emotional and behavioral problems in children. Dr. Goldstein’s previous work has focused on the psychosocial, cognitive, and biological markers of developing depression and anxiety in children and adolescents.
Susie DiVietro, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Dr. DiVietro is a medical anthropologist and research scientist at the Injury Prevention Center, Connecticut Children's Medical Center/Hartford Hospital, instructor of Pediatrics at the UConn School of Medicine, and visiting assistant professor of anthropology at Trinity College. Her research focus is intimate partner violence, particularly in the context of heath and trauma, and she is a certified domestic violence advocate. Susie is partnering with our team to help engage families impacted by domestic violence, and to build collaboration with local domestic violence service agencies.
Mayra Pino
Enrollment Specialist
Mayra Pino’s background is in early childhood studies and direct care. She has worked as preschool teacher since 2006 in different settings. Mayra especially enjoys working together with children and families. She is currently working as a research assistant on the ARCS study.
Phone: 860-384-5102
Email: pino@uchc.edu
Kimberly McCarthy
Data Manager
B.S., Psychology, University of Connecticut
Kim McCarthy has a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. Ms. McCarthy has supported Dr. Briggs-Gowan’s young child research for over 10 years as a data manager. She is currently dividing her time between our projects and pursuing a Masters in Social Work at Fordham University.