Dr. Luna's Research Featured in Nat Geo
Beatriz Luna, PhD featured in National Geographic Article
on the Teenage Brain
Beatriz Luna, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology, was featured in the cover article of the October issue of National Geographic focusing on the teenage brain. Dr. Luna?s laboratory uses neuroimaging techniques to study the adolescent brain. Her research focuses on brain mechanisms that support the transition to adult-level cognitive control of behavior. During adolescence, cognition begins to appear adult-like but there are still immaturities in brain processes supporting cognition that can undermine their decision making, which can lead to increases in mortality rates due to risk taking behavior. This is also a period where major psychiatric disorders first emerge, emphasizing the importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying the shift towards adult-level behavior.