Lisa Gatzke-kopp PhD

Dr. Lisa M. Gatzke-Kopp, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the Pennsylvania State University. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Science at the University of Southern California. Lisa Gatzke-Kopp's research focus is on the development of emotional and behavioral problems in childhood. She is interested in the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie emotion regulation, impulsivity, and decision-making, as well as examining how environmental and experiential factors impact neurobiological development. She also is involved in several collaborative projects aimed at incorporating knowledge from basic psychophysiological research into preventive-intervention programs.

By focusing on basic mechanisms of behavior problems, she aims to inform and evaluate both universal and targeted prevention programming. She collaborates extensively with prevention researchers with interests in both school and family contexts. Her research incorporates a wide range of techniques in examining neurobiological function including autonomic (ECG, IMP, EDA); central (EEG, ERP, fMRI), and peripheral (genetic, endocrine) measures.