Jessica Raper, Phd Email & Phone Number

I am a developmental neuroscientist conducting research at Emory National Primate Research Center. My research career is dedicated to understanding the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie human neurodevelopmental disorders. My academic background in psychology with a focus on development, behavioral neuroscience, and neuroendocrine function have helped me develop a broad yet robust line of research. Using a nonhuman primate model, I investigate how early brain perturbations impact the development of socioemotional behavior and neuroendocrine function. Temporal lobe structures (e.g., amygdala, hippocampus) are particularly vulnerable to early insult, such as direct damage from perinatal hypoxia, viral infection, or traumatic brain injury, and indirect insult from neonatal anesthesia exposure or early adversity (e.g., childhood neglect or abuse). These early brain insults lead to permanent alteration of behavior and neuroendocrine systems, such as emotional dysregulation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction. Research in animal models helps us understand the neurobiological basis of behavior and informs us how altered development of specific brain areas can contribute to the specific symptoms seen in clinical patients.

Listed skills include Data Analysis, Research, Science, Life Sciences, and 3 others.