Gard, Arianna

Bio

Dr. Gard is an Assistant Professor of Developmental Psychology, Faculty Affiliate in the Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Neuroscience (NACS), Social Data Science Center, and the Maryland Population Research Center, and Director of the Growth And Resilience across Development (GARD) Lab at the University of Maryland, College Park. Together with her students and collaborators, she studies how environmental adversity and promotive factors shape children’s behavioral, cognitive, and brain development – with a particular focus on how features of the neighborhood context guide risk and resilience processes. A prominent feature of her work is to increase sociodemographic diversity in neurobiological research by including historically under-represented groups in research design and implementation. 

Prospective graduate students: I WILL be reviewing applications for PhD students for Fall 2026. Preference will be given to Developmental PhD and Neuroscience PhD (NACS) students, but I will also review Clinical candidates with parallel interests to lab needs. Competitive students will have interests in using advanced statistical modeling, fMRI, and community-based participatory research methods to study the development of resilience to childhood adversity. Applicants with interests in advancing STEM outreach through evaluation and program development with community partners is also important in this year's cycle. 

Prospective undergraduate students: Please fill out an application through the GARD Lab Website ("About Us" page).