Members of the DSNLab recently presented on exciting new research projects at the Society for Research on Adolescence biennial meeting in Minneapolis, MN. Below you will find a sampling of the posters and talks presented by our researchers.

Symposia

Do, K.T., Guassi Moreira, J.F., van Hoorn, J., & Telzer, E.H. Taking risks to help others: An experimental study of “prosocial risk taking” in late adolescents.

Rogers, C. R., McCormick, E., Van Hoorn, J., & Telzer, E. H. Siblings and the teenage brain: Sibling closeness and birth order modulate adolescent neural activity during safe decision-making.

van Hoorn, J., McCormick, E., Rogers, C.R., Perino, M., & Telzer, E.H. Risk-taking behavior and peer effects in high-risk youth: A developmental neuroscience perspective.

Posters

Do, K.T., McCormick, E.M., & Telzer, E.H. Is blood thicker than water? How conflicting parent and peer attitudes influence the neural correlates of adolescent conformity.

Rogers, C. R., Perino, M., & Telzer, E. H. And again, mothers know best: Promoting adolescent inhibition in socially positive contexts.

On April 14, over 10,000 visitors packed Cameron Ave for the 2018 UNC Science Expo. The DSNLab booth was a big hit for the second year in a row. Visitors of all ages learned about the regions of the brain in our brain toss, raced to see who could build a brain the fastest, and played some of the games that we use in our MRI scans. Between the interesting science and the beautiful weather, we couldn’t have asked for a better day.

Learn more about the UNC Science Expo here and here. Maybe we’ll see you next year!

We are very excited to announce that three of our undergraduate research assistants have recently presented on their independent research projects!

Cassidy Fry traveled to The University of Central Oklahoma to present her research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. In her project, Cassidy investigated the role of sibling support as a buffer between family conflict and internalizing symptoms in adolescents. She has been working on this research as a part of the Carolina Sibling Study with her mentor, Dr. Christy Rogers, for over a year.

Additionally, two of our undergrad RAs presented at the UNC Celebration of Undergraduate Research. They both started these projects during the summer of 2017, and refined their ideas as a part of the 395 research course at UNC.

Melissa Burroughs investigated the relationship between daily peer exclusion, school functioning, and cortisol patterns in adolescents. Melissa was mentored on this project by postdoctoral fellow Dr. Jorien van Hoorn.

Charlie Wright examined the role of intimate self-disclosure as a central aspect of adolescent well-being. Graduate student Paul Sharp mentored Charlie as he has worked on this project.

We are very proud of our undergraduate RAs for exploring their own research questions in the lab. Way to go Cassidy, Charlie, and Melissa!

We are very excited to announce that Michael Perino has passed his dissertation defense! Michael’s dissertation is titled “A social neuroscience approach to understanding adolescent delinquency.” Huge congratulations to Michael! We all look forward to seeing the amazing work that you’ll do as Dr. Perino.

Graduate student Michael Perino presented at the 2017 Developmental Affective Neuroscience Symposium in Pittsburgh, PA. This year’s theme was Development of the Emotional Brain in Social Context: Implications for Affective Psychopathology. Congratulations Michael!

Perino, M.T., Moreira, J.F.G., & Telzer, E.H. These violent delights have violent ends. Neural correlates of aggression selectivity in delinquent youth based on differential motivations.

Neeltje Blankenstein joined the DSNLab as a visiting scholar for a few weeks this fall.  Neeltje is currently pursuing her PhD in developmental and educational psychology at Leiden University. During her time in North Carolina, Neeltje presented her newest work and findings to the DSNLab, and spoke at Duke University.

Congratulations to all of lab members who presented at this year’s Flux Congress in Portland, OR!

Fowler, C.H., Lin, L.C., & Telzer, E.H. Like me back: Experiencing victimization influences youths’ neural response when predicting evaluation from liked peers.

McCormick, E.M., van Hoorn, J., & Telzer, E.H. Functional network organization of the social brain in childhood and adolescence.

Perino, M.T., Moreira, J.F.G., & Telzer, E.H. These violent delights have violent ends. Neural correlates of aggression selectivity in delinquent youth based on differential motivations.

Rogers, C. R., McCormick, E., van Hoorn, J., & Telzer, E. H. “No, don’t do it!” Neural correlates of sibling closeness during risky decision-making.

van Hoorn, J., Shablack, H., Lindquist, K.A., & Telzer, E.H. Beyond dual systems: Evidence from a neuroimaging meta-analysis to incorporate the social context into model of adolescent decision-making.

This summer, the DSNLab has been hosting three amazing undergraduate interns. They have come from across the country to work in the lab, and have been primarily working on the Carolina Sibling Study. They have played a crucial role in the success of the study, and we couldn’t be happier to have them on the DSNLab team!

Sue Hyun Kwon (left) is a rising senior at Pomona College and she hopes apply her knowledge of developmental neuroscience to neuropharmacology projects in the future. In her free time, she likes to take pictures of plants or cook.

Ellie Breitfeld (center) is a rising sophomore at Princeton University and she is planning on pursuing a major in psychology and minors in neuroscience and linguistics. She is particularly interested in developmental psychology with a focus on language development and education.

Madison Marcus (right) is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in psychology and neuroscience at Grinnell College in Iowa. As a native North Carolinian, she was excited to return home and assist with the Carolina Sibling Study. Following her graduation in 2019, Madison hopes to continue doing research and earn her PhD in behavioral neuroscience.

We are excited to announce that DSNL undergraduate research assistant Julia Sorensen has been selected for the Karen M. Gil Internship to begin in the Fall of 2017. The Gil internship is a prestigious program that places UNC students in psychology-based internships at worksites matched to their interests. The program is highly-competitive and we are very proud of Julia and excited for her to have this opportunity!

On April 22 the DSN Lab took part in the 2017 UNC Science Expo. The expo brings together the university and the community to highlight cutting-edge research and get members of the broader Chapel Hill community excited about science. The DSN Lab had a booth where visitors could learn about the different parts of the brain, play some of our study tasks, put together model brains, and ask questions about psychology and neuroscience. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!