In the SHINE Lab, we study how young children and their families express and regulate emotions. We explore the social-emotional processes that foster family resilience and lead to healthy child development, in an effort to promote early mental health for all children. We use translational and strengths-based approaches geared toward rapid application, in an effort to generate questions and tools that advance early identification of mental health problems, clinical decision-making, and mental health equity.  

We are located in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Purdue University. The lab is directed by Dr. Leigha MacNeill. 

We will be accepting applications for new undergraduate research assistants to begin in Spring 2025. 

Dr. MacNeill is reviewing applications for a PhD student to begin in Fall 2025. Please review the HDFS graduate program here, and email Dr. MacNeill for more information.