Faculty

Research Summary

Primary research and education interests include special health care needs of adoptive children and children who have experience in the foster care system, socio-emotional trauma impact on development, racial and cultural social identity development for transracially adoptive or foster care children, and racial discrimination among historically marginalized youth in the United States.

Clinical Summary

Internationally and Domestically Adoptive Children, Children who have experienced Foster Care, Prenatal Substance Exposures (including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders), Pediatric Acute Urgent Care and Emergency Care.

Bio

Dr. Lauren Haisley is a pediatric neuropsychologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Connecticut and completed her pre-doctoral psychology internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/ John Hopkins School of Medicine with a specific emphasis on pediatric neuropsychology. She completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the Medical College or Wisconsin/Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
Dr. Haisley's research focuses on neurocognitive and behavioral development in children with medical conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders. She is interested in the development of self-regulation and executive functioning skills, especially within the context of early disruptions to brain development (e.g., trauma, brain injury, brain malformations). She is also interested in the early identification of neurodevelopmental and psychological conditions including autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, externalizing conditions.
She is currently a member of the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) state advisory board. She is interested in ensuring equitable access to services for autistic children and adults throughout the state of Minnesota.
In her clinical work, Dr. Haisley specializes in neuropsychological assessments for children with complex medical histories, genetic conditions, brain malformations, and neurodevelopmental conditions including autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Haisley is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN), the International Neuropsychological Society (INS), and the Minnesota Psychological Association (MPA).

Bio

Dr. Lauren Hindt is a Pediatric Neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology with Child and Family, and Neuropsychology Subspecialities from Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Hindt completed a predoctoral clinical internship in pediatric neuropsychology and pediatric psychology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She then completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

In terms of clinical care, Dr. Hindt conducts neuropsychological assessments with youth ranging in age from infancy to young adulthood with complex genetic, neurodevelopmental, medical, and/or psychosocial presentations. Her research seeks to strengthen families and support children from underserved populations, particularly those in the contexts of familial incarceration, foster care, and/or chronic illness. Dr. Hindt’s overarching goal is to engage in efforts to improve health equity and eliminate disparities.

Dr. Hindt is dedicated to the training of future psychologists at various stages in their careers. She fosters well-rounded development in clinical practice, research, teaching/supervision, and advocacy. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and Divisions 40, 53, and 54, along with the Minnesota Psychological Association.

Bio

Dr. Hudock has participated in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) programs throughout her internship and fellowship experiences. Through her LEND experiences, she received additional interdisciplinary training in clinical skills, leadership, policy, and advocacy related to individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. She is licensed as a psychologist through the Minnesota Board of Psychology and also holds certifications as a school psychologist in MN and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP).
Dr. Hudock's research focuses on services for individuals with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders and their families. Within this research area, her interests include social skills intervention; services for children with ASD and co-occurring mental health diagnoses; social-emotional development; parenting stress; school-based services, and transition services.
Clinically, Dr. Hudock specializes in assessment and intervention for children with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. She conducts comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and leads treatment services for children with ASD and their families. Dr. Hudock is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN), the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), and the Minnesota Psychological Association (MPA).

Bio

Dr. Kalstabakken is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. She completed her PhD at the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota and her post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric psychology and neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Her clinical interests include using a developmental framework for supporting youth who are experiencing acute and chronic medical illness, including inpatient hospitalization. She does inpatient-consultation in which she collaborates with medical providers to support children and families staying in the children's hospital. Dr. Kalstabakken is a psychologist with the Pediatric Pain & Advanced/Complex Care Team (PACCT) and sees patients with chronic pancreatitis undergoing Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation (TPIAT). She has a special interest in medical trauma and is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Further, Dr. Kalstabakken conducts neuropsychological assessments for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and other neurodevelopmental disorders, metabolic disorders, neonatal complications, and for children who have experienced early adversity.
Dr. Kalstabakken's research interests include processes involved in risk and resilience and early screening/identification of children at risk for developmental and academic difficulties.

Dr. Kalstabakken is involved with the following clinics:
Pediatric Specialty Clinic
Inpatient Consultation
Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation (TPIAT)
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Follow-up Clinic
Metabolic Disorders Follow-up Clinic
Phenylketonuria (PKU) Follow-up Clinic

Bio

Dr. King is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Houston and specialized in clinical neuropsychology. She completed the University of Minnesota Medical School Pediatric Psychology Internship and a two-year fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology also at the University of Minnesota. Dr. King is board certified in clinical neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology/American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology.

Dr. King conducts comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and provides consultation for individuals ranging in age from infancy to young adulthood. Her clinical interests include evaluating the neuropsychological functioning of children with various genetic conditions and medical diagnoses associated with central nervous system dysfunction, acquired neurological conditions, and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Her goal with each patient is to maximize their quality of life and abilities.

Dr. King is currently involved in multi-disciplinary research investigating the neuropsychological functioning of children with metabolic disorders and is a clinical trial consultant. Dr. King is also an active participant in training future psychologists at the pre and post-doctoral levels. She is a member of the Center for Neurobehavioral Development at the University of Minnesota, the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, the International Neuropsychological Society, and the American Psychological Association/Society for Clinical Neuropsychology.

Bio

The overarching goal of Dr. Kroupina's combined research-clinical program is to design a research-based clinic for young children with a history of early adversity and toxic stress, including those with histories of institutional care, multiple foster placements and early emotional trauma. The Birth to Three Clinic and Early Childhood Mental Health Program focuses on early identification of high-risk children in order to prevent long-term negative mental health and neurodevelopmental outcomes by providing early intervention. It is led by Dr. Kroupina and funded by the Masonic gift fund.

Research Summary

Currently funded research includes several NIH-funded studies: one on the effect of acute vs. delayed iron therapy in severe malaria on anemia, iron status, and neurobehavioral development in Ugandan children (PI: Chandy John, M.D.) and an investigation of red blood cell iron incorporation in severe malaria.
The impact of early advisory on child's neurodevelopment and mental health.

Clinical Summary

Mental Health; Early Mental Health

Bio

Alicia Kunin-Batson, PhD, LP is an Associate Professor and licensed psychologist in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She received her doctoral degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science (Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School) and completed internship and postdoctoral training in pediatric psychology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She subsequently completed a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota, Department of Pediatrics. Her research program focuses on neurocognitive and psychosocial influences on health and health behaviors, and the biological and behavioral mechanisms linking early stressful life experiences to future health risks. She has served as PI or co-I on NIH grants (NIDDK, NICHD, NHLBI, NCI NCCIH). Her clinical interests include neuropsychological evaluations of children with chronic health conditions, specifically brain tumor, pediatric solid tumors, hematologic malignancies, and anemias. She is co-chair of the Neuropsychological and Psychosocial Complications, Late Effects Guidelines Taskforce of the Children’s Oncology Group. She is the Associate Director of Research within the Division of Clinical Behavioral Neurosciences and Section Head of the Pediatric Neuropsychology Program.

Clinical Summary

Dr. Kunin-Batson is involved in the following clinics:

• Outpatient pediatric neuropsychology clinic, Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Comprehensive Consultative Clinic

Bio

Dr. Chimei Lee is pediatric neuropsychologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and completed her pre-doctoral psychology internship at the Henry Ford Health Sciences Center with a specific emphasis on pediatric neuropsychology. She completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota, where she also received specialized training in ASD and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Dr. Lee's research focuses on neurocognitive and behavioral development in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related conditions. She is interested in how genetic and environmental variables affect risk and resilience in these populations. She is also involved in translational research for serving individuals with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders and their families with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
In her clinical work, Dr. Lee specializes in assessment and intervention for children with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. She also conducts neuropsychological evaluations and consultations for children with complex medical conditions, genetic abnormality, as well as a variety of other neurodevelopmental and social-emotional challenges. Dr. Lee is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN), the International Neuropsychological Society (INS), the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), and the Minnesota Psychological Association (MPA).

Research Summary

Neurocognitive functioning and development in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder); Autistic characteristics among individual with genetic abnormality

Clinical Summary

Pediatric neuropsychology; Rare genetic diseases of childhood; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Other Developmental Disabilities

Bio

Dr. Lessin was among the first cohort of specialists to be board certified in the specialty of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in 2002 after completing her fellowship in Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota in 1997. Since that time, Dr. Lessin has practiced as a Pediatric Subspecialist in Child Development, Behavior and Learning with an emphasis on creating long standing relationships with patients and families; as well as on engaging families with diverse cultural backgrounds. As an experienced clinician with young children, school - aged children, teens and young adults, Dr. Lessin has contributed to the development of clinical models for the evaluation and management of neurodevelopmental disorders in a multidisciplinary team format. Current academic interests include Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders as well as Neuroplasticity and Resilience in response to trauma. Having trained in self - regulation strategies and mind - body medicine, Dr. Lessin uses a strength-based model to guide families and children with ADHD, Autism, Learning profile differences, Neurogenetic and Neurobehavioral disorders.

Bio

Dr. Miranda-Dominguez is interested on understanding how mental and neurological disorders affect brain circuitry and how this information can be used to obtain a deeper understanding of the disease and to design model-based approaches to therapeutics, including but not limited to adaptive interventions and non-invasive neuromodulation.

Research Summary

To use brain connectivity to characterize typical and atypical development and to inform treatment in mental health.