My research focusses on the identification of risk and resilience markers in young people who are at high risk of developing mental health conditions. I am also interested in the characterisation of biopsychosocial prognostic markers of clinical and functional outcome. I use cognitive neuroscientific and interdisciplinary methods to integrate neurobiological, psychological and psychosocial factors to better understand how youth vulnerability can influence and is influenced by neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.

My research seeks to better understand how the interplay between brain alterations, behavioural and clinical symptoms, and environmental factors (for example, stress and trauma) during childhood and adolescence affects developmental processes that lead to enhanced risk of developing mental health conditions in adolescence and early adulthood.

Increasing insight into these complex mechanisms is crucial for optimised identification of the onset of mental health conditions in vulnerable young people. My overall goal is to gain a better understanding of the integrative role of neurobiological, psychological and environmental factors in forming young peoples’ development, and to contribute to designing intervention and prevention programmes and policies.