Risk and Opportunities:
Adolescent brain development & psychological functioning

Leah Somerville, PhD

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Harvard University

This talk will address how neurodevelopmental shifts in circuit-level brain function contribute to changes in motivational, emotional, and social behavior during adolescence, and the psychological manifestations of these changes. Through inquiry in these areas, Dr. Somerville's lab hopes to bolster fundamental understanding of human neurodevelopment, and to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying the simultaneous opportunities and risks associated with adolescence.