Tochukwu N
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at Cambridge University
Expertise
Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience
Bio
Hi, my name is Tochukwu and I am a developmental cognitive psychologist. I most recently served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah, following a PhD from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Neuroimaging from King’s College London. I am interested in how early childhood experiences (e.g., socioeconomic inequality, abuse, exposure to violence, dysfunctional family, etc.) shape developmental processes including mental health and cognitive outcomes. In my free time, when I am not teaching, doing research or mentoring, I am either playing outdoor sports like tennis and pickle ball or staying indoor to watch my favorite football (soccer) team, Arsenal FC.Project ideas
Understanding the effect of childhood adversity on developmental outcomes across different cultures
Research studies have shown that childhood adversity impairs developmental outcomes such as cognitive functioning and mental health. However, not all children exposed to childhood adversity develop adversely (i.e., some children develop resilience and strong adaptation to adverse childhood experiences). Understanding the factors that shape such variability in outcomes is the core of my current empirical inquiry. For example, why do children in some cultural environments develop more adaptation and resilience than others? Do cultural factors such as the perception of adverse experiences in a given culture moderate the effect of childhood adversity on cognitive and mental health outcomes?