Susan L Smalley

Susan L. Smalley, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences who specializes in the genetics of psychiatric disorders, particularly those with onset in childhood or adolescence. Her research centers on the genetics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Related Conditions with an emphasis on molecular genetic studies and multi-level phenotyping, (e.g. temperament, neurocognition, behavior, family environmental influences and EEG) to link molecular findings with specific brain and behavior pathways. Through her own personal experiences with mindful awareness, Dr. Smalley expanded her research to understand mechanisms underlying mindful awareness and to develop and/or disseminate tools to cultivate mindful awareness throughout the lifespan, in both clinical (e.g. ADHD) and non-clinical populations. She founded the Mindful Awareness Research Center with other like-minded colleagues at UCLA to actively pursue research, education, and service of Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) in cultivating more mindful scientists, clinicians, teachers, and leaders of the future.