I am interested in investigating cognitive processes in children and adolescents with psychiatric and neurological disorders. This research can lead to a better understanding of the basic nature and normal development of the processes, the neurobiological bases and mechanisms of dysfunction in the disorders, as well as improved treatment options for the children and their families.

Please visit my research lab Web site (the Karatekin Lab) for more information about my research. We have recently finished a set of studies of 9- to 18-year-olds with ADHD or youth-onset psychosis in which we collected data on cognitive processes, medical and developmental history, and brain structure. The studies were conducted in collaboration with Tonya White, M.D., from the Department of Psychiatry and were funded by grants from NIMH (The National Institutes on Mental Health), the Center for Neurobehavioral Development (CNBD) at the University of Minnesota, and the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD).

In collaboration with Herb Pick, Ph.D., from ICD, we are currently conducting a study on the development of skilled action. In this study, we are using a digitized tablet to investigate the kinematics of fine motor movements as individuals learn new motor skills. We are currently recruiting healthy young adults and preschoolers for this study. In the future, we hope to extend this research to clinical and at-risk populations.