National Scientific Advisory Board

The National Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of experts in the fields of neuroscience, communication, child psychiatry, child psychology, pediatrics, education, information science, law, and public health who are passionate about advancing objective, multi-disciplinary research, accessible educational resources, and evidence-based action on the impact of digital media on children and adolescents. Advisors serve in a voluntary capacity and work closely with Institute staff to advance organizational goals. Their responsibilities include providing strategic guidance, advising on the Institute’s work, peer reviewing grant proposals, contributing to the planning of scientific convenings and publications, and overseeing expert working groups focused on specific areas of inquiry.

Naomi Baron, PhD

Professor Emerita of Linguistics

American University
Ran Barzilay MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

University of Pennsylvania
Matthew Bergman, JD

Founding Attorney

Social Media Victims Law Center
Kelly Brownell, PhD

Dean Emeritus and Robert L. Flowers Professor Emeritus

Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University
Lauren Hale, PhD

Professor of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine

Stony Brook University School of Medicine
Heather Kirkorian, PhD

Laura M. Secord Chair in Early Childhood Development, Associate Professor and Chair, Human Development & Family Studies

School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Colleen Kraft, MD, MBA, FAAP

Professor of Pediatrics

Keck School of Medicine, The University of Southern California
Sheri Madigan, PhD, R.Psych

Professor and Canada Research Chair in Child Mental Health and Wellbeing

Department of Psychology, University of Calgary and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute
Susmita Pati, MD, MPH

Professor and Chair

Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville
Desmond Upton Patton, PhD, MSW

31st Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor and Waldo E. Johnson Jr. Professor of Communications

University of Pennsylvania
Marc Potenza, MD, PhD

Steven M. Southwick Professor of Psychiatry, Child Study Center and Neuroscience

Yale University School of Medicine
Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP

John Van Seters Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Stephanie Reich, PhD

Professor of Education

University of California, Irvine
Moriah Thomason, PhD

Barakett Associate Professor, Director of Pediatric Neuroimaging, Vice Chair for Research

Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Population Health, New York University School of Medicine
Ellen Wartella, PhD

Emerita Professor of Communication

Northwestern University
Paul Weigle, MD

Associate Medical Director

Natchaug Hospital

Meet the Advisory Board