Kelly H. Watson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
VKC Member
Overview of Interests
Dr. Watson's research program focuses on identifying factors that put adolescents and families faced with chronic adversity at increased risk for social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Her research has focused on modifiable risk factors that can be targeted in clinical interventions to enhance resilience. I have a particular interest in social and cognitive processes, including social cognition, executive functioning, family communication, and social connection. She is actively involved in multiple studies of youth with Tourette syndrome as well as youth and families affected by Huntington’s disease.Dr. Watson is focused on the roles of social cognition (empathy and theory of mind) assessed using both behavioral measures and eye-tracking tasks. Her ultimate goal is to develop interventions to improve social cognitive processes in Tourette syndrome to enhance social functioning and the quality of life for individuals and families affected by Tourette syndrome.