April Gile Thomas, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at El Paso. Her research examines 1) how contextual influences shape adolescents’ developmental trajectories and criminal behavior, and 2) how normative aspects of adolescent development (specifically heightened susceptibility to sleep problems and vulnerability to social influence) contribute to an increase in risk-taking and delinquency during this phase of life. She seeks to use developmental science to inform policy changes or prevention and intervention efforts to improve the treatment of adolescents within the justice system.