ReACH Lab graduate student, Julie Cristello, is featured in this month’s Society for Research on Adolescence’s Emerging Scholar Spotlight. The Society for Research on Adolescence focuses on the theoretical, empirical, and policy research issues of adolescence. Emerging Scholars represent promising young investigators invested in advancing adolescent research. Read the full spotlight on Julie!
ReACH Lab Director, Dr. Elisa Trucco, received a 2017 award from the College of Arts and Sciences and Education at Florida International University. This award recognizes outstanding faculty who have made significant contributions and distinguished themselves in the area of research. Read more about CASE Award Recipients.
ReACH Lab Director, Dr. Elisa Trucco, in collaboration with Dr. Matthew Sutherland, received grant funding to identify factors that predict the onset of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use among Latino and African American high school students. Additionally, this project will examine whether or not ENDS use has a negative impact on the developing brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This five-year project is funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and will take place at Florida International University. For more information, please click here.
New findings offer support for genetic risk factors underlying substance use initiation. A recent study in collaboration with colleagues at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and the University of Michigan explores the role of key genetic risk factors and depression on later substance use. Findings indicate that two key genetic variants increase risk for later problematic substance use as they contribute to impairments in emotion regulation in childhood and depression during adolescence. For a clinical perspective, adolescents carrying these particular genetic variants may use substances as a way to self-medicate their depression and may benefit from treatments focused on improving emotion regulation.
A recent study in collaboration with Ryan Meldrum, Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Florida International University, and colleagues at the University of Michigan examined neurobiological underpinnings of low self-control. Low self-control is a key cause of later delinquency and crime. The current study finds that children with blunted activation in an area of the brain related to inhibitory control and error monitoring (i.e., the anterior cingulate cortex) are more likely to develop low self-control in early adolescence. In turn, low self-control predicts greater criminal behavior during late adolescence. Findings hold implications for policy and practice. Namely, the importance of preventing neural deficits during childhood that could delay the development of self-control that could contribute to later criminal behavior.
Dr. Trucco and Dr. Fava presented their project examining neurobiological mechanisms through which adverse childhood experiences impact later substance use at the annual Research Society on Alcoholism conference. The project is part of a collaboration with neuroscientists at the University of Michigan. The manuscript is currently in preparation and will be submitted by the end of the summer.
A new grant examining the role of peers on the neurobiology of cognitive control and reward processes across adolescent development was funded by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This 5-year project will be conducted at the University of Michigan (PIs: Brian Hicks and Mary Heitzeg) in collaboration with FIU and Temple University (Jason Chein, Thomas Olino, and Laurence Steinberg).
Congratulations to ReACH Lab Graduate Research Assistant, Barry Ladis! Barry presented his poster, “Development of a Comprehensive Measure of Parenting Quality for Adolescents” at the Society for Prevention Research’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Barry received a travel award for his innovative project. Barry made the ReACH Lab proud by presenting his research to top names in the field including Dr. Kumpfer, Dr. Hawkins, and Dr. Catalano!
Reach Lab Director, Dr. Elisa Trucco, recently completed the Cancer Research United Kingdom (CRUK) and the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Knowledge Integration Across Health Domains, Professions, and Nations to Advance Cancer Prevention Sandpit. This 3-day intensive workshop brings together a multidisciplinary group of participants to develop innovative ideas across various behavioral domains, research fields, and national contexts for the purpose of advancing cancer control and prevention. At the conclusion of the event, Dr. Trucco, along with her international teammates were chosen to receive CRUK seed grants to test the feasibility of their ideas.
The first pilot project will focus on understanding the role of emotion regulation and temporal discounting on healthy eating decisions among obese individuals.
The second pilot project will focus on examining the impact of various pricing policies (e.g., cigarettes, alcohol, and sugary beverages) on cancer prevention.
ReACH Lab Director, Dr. Elisa Trucco, was recognized by the Office of the Provost at Florida International University as an FIU Top Scholar. Specifically, she was recognized in the category of Junior Faculty with Significant Grant Funding in the Sciences.