research interests

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Irwin D. Waldman, Ph.D.

My overarching interests are in developmental psychopathology and developmental behavior genetic research and methods. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the causes, classification, and development of childhood disruptive disorders (e.g., ADHD, Conduct Disorder) and externalizing behavior problems (e.g., aggression), as well as related personality and temperament traits and neurocognitive executive functions. I am particularly interested in finding the genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute to disorder, as well as understanding how such risk factors combine in children's liability to psychopathology.

In addressing these issues, I use developmental behavior genetic methods (i.e., twin and adoption study designs) in which the genetic and environmental influences that underlie such disorders and behavior problems can be disentangled and their magnitude can be quantified. I have also used behavior genetic methods to gain a better understanding of comorbidity, in particular the extent to which common genetic and environmental influences may account for the substantial overlap among childhood disruptive and internalizing disorders and the covariation among their symptoms.

In addition to conducting twin studies to estimate genetic and environmental influences, I have been using molecular genetic methods to study specific candidate genes that may account for some of the genetic influences on these disorders and traits. Most of these candidate genes underlie various components of the dopamine neurotransmitter system, though recently we have begun examining genes related to other neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin and norepinephrine), as well as to other important aspects of nervous system function. Within the context of behavior genetic designs, we are also beginning to examine specific environmental influences at a number of different levels (e.g., pre- and peri-natal influences, parenting behavior, neighborhood characteristics) and neurocognitive executive function endophenotypes that may underlie these disorders.

I am also interested in the role of children's inattention, impulsivity, and hostile perceptual biases in the development of aggression, in behavior genetic and psychometric aspects of intellectual and cognitive development, and in candidate gene studies of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.


Graduate Student Lab Members

Devon LoParo, M.A.
Fourth year graduate student
E-mail: devon.loparo@emory.edu

My primary interests are genetic and environmental influences that lead to aggression in childhood and adulthood. I am also interested in determining how these genetic factors exert their influence, whether directly or indirectly, on behavior.

Ryan Hackett
First year graduate student
E-mail: hackett.ryan@gmail.com

I am interested in genetic and environmental influences contributing to the development of antisocial behavior, with a special focus on the role of association with deviant peers.