I am a clinical neuropsychologist and researcher with a special interest in sleep medicine, adolescent health and finding ways to help children reach their highest potential. I have particular expertise in the evaluation and care of children who have chronic medical and neurological conditions, as well as those who have brain injuries.
I became interested in research through my interactions with patients and colleagues, which sparked my curiosity. As director of the Neuropsychology Program at Cincinnati Children’s, I use research to learn how best to serve children and families. As a sleep researcher, I have been fascinated by the many ways in which sleep quantity, quality, and timing seem to affect health and health-related behaviors.
My research in the Beebe Research Lab has two components. On the neuropsychology side, I am trying to both quantify the value of our clinical services and to lead the field in achieving greater quality and value for our patients and their families. On the sleep medicine side, I want to better understand how poor sleep impacts children and how we might leverage improved sleep to improve pediatric health.
I’m also interested in the development of junior-level clinical neuropsychologists to become future leaders of the field. I am the training director for the postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at Cincinnati Children’s, and I enjoy mentoring young professionals both within and outside of the subdiscipline.
I am president-elect of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, where I have served on the board of directors for many years. I have also served on committees of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology, Sleep Research Society and International Neuropsychological Society. I am an associate editor of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology and am on the editorial boards of Child Neuropsychology, SLEEP and Behavioral Sleep Medicine.
PhD: Loyola University, Chicago, IL, 1998.
Fellowship: Pediatric Neuropsychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 1998-2000.
Certifications: Clinical Psychology, Ohio State Board of Psychology, 1999; Diplomate in Clinical Neuropsychology, American Board of Professional Psychology and the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology, 2005; Subspecialty Certification in Pediatric Neuropsychology by ABPP/ABCN, 2014.
Outcome and development of children with brain injuries; outcome and development of children with neurodevelopmental disorders; sleep and neurobehavioral functioning; professional development of emerging leaders
Impact of childhood sleep pathology on neuropsychological functioning; experimental sleep manipulation in adolescents; impact of shortened sleep on adolescent mood, cognition, executive functioning, driving safety, dietary intake, and physical activity; quality improvement in neuropsychological care delivery and reports
Clinical Psychology
Earlier bedtimes and more sleep displace sedentary behavior but not moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adolescents. Sleep Health. 2022; 8:270-276.
The impact of short sleep on food reward processes in adolescents. Journal of Sleep Research. 2021; 30.
Impact of sleep restriction on affective functioning in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines. 2020; 61:1160-1168.
Changes in child functioning pre-to post-neuropsychological evaluation. Child Neuropsychology. 2020; 26:711-720.
Impact of sleep opportunity on asthma outcomes in adolescents. Sleep Medicine. 2020; 65:134-141.
Evolution of parental knowledge and efficacy across the pediatric neuropsychological evaluation process. Clinical Neuropsychologist. 2019; 33:743-759.
Shortened Sleep Duration Causes Sleepiness, Inattention, and Oppositionality in Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Findings From a Crossover Sleep Restriction/Extension Study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2019; 58:433-442.
Patient Ratings and Comments
All patient satisfaction ratings and comments are submitted by actual patients and verified by a leading independent patient satisfaction company, NRC Health. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Only those providers whose satisfaction surveys are administered through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center are displayed. Click here to learn more about our survey