The first of my two areas of research focus is reproductive psychiatry with a particular emphasis on the course and neurobiology of psychiatric illness and substance use disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period, the pharmacokinetics of psychotropic medication during pregnancy and lactation, and the impact of perinatal maternal mental illness upon child development. My other research interest is the psychological and neurobiological impact of childhood traumatic experiences. I currently serve as the Associate Director of the statewide Texas Child Trauma Research Network.