MAPS is directed by two Developmental Psychologists, Drs. Lauren Wakschlag and Margaret Briggs-Gowan. They are committed to helping young children and their families. This commitment drives their passion for developing measurement tools that help professionals assess and support young children’s behaviors and emotions.
Laurie Wakschlag, Ph.D., Northwestern University, is a clinically-trained psychologist who focuses on the links between young children’s behaviors and their emotions.
Margaret Briggs-Gowan, Ph.D.University of Connecticut Health Center,
is an epidemiologically-trained psychologist who is interested in the impact of environmental factors on young children’s behavior, emotions, and development.
Laurie and Margaret are joined by a great team of collaborators who help us deepen our understanding of young children and their families, and bring added expertise in brain development and how it may influence behavior, emotions, and learning:
Joel Voss, Ph.D.
is a neuroscientist who brings his expertise and helps us discover what is happening in a child’s brain and how it may influence behavior, emotions, and learning.
Sara Nichols, Ph.D.
is a Clinical and Developmental Psychologist who works with children and families. She helps MAPS to examine the role of children’s environments on their development.