The 3D Lab aims to produce innovative and applied research that promotes positive and equitable youth development. Our work is centered around three core themes:

 

DEVELOPMENT. The period from adolescence through young adulthood is a unique period of human development to study how biological, social, and psychological trajectories intersect to shape health promotion and disease prevention. 

 

DIVERSITY. Youth are increasingly aware of the attributes that bring people together and divide them - from family background and cultural experiences to social networks and political attitudes. We study how these diverse characteristics are connected to young people’s health and well-being.

DISPARITIES. Factors such as our race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status should not play a role in how healthy we are or how long we live - yet we see dramatic health inequalities along these lines in the United States. In order to achieve greater health equity, we need to take a developmental approach that examines precursors to disease (e.g., stress, pubertal timing, health behaviors, relationship patterns). Promoting health equity in adolescence and young adulthood will lead all youth on a more equal pathway towards social, academic, and economic success.