Caitlin F. Canfield, PhD

Studying child development, I have always been drawn to individual differences between children—understanding how their outcomes are shaped by their families, communities, and even their own temperament.

As a developmental psychologist and faculty in the Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, I have pursued this interest through my research program. My work has focused on improving health equity for children and families experiencing poverty and structural racism, including studies of the implementation and efficacy of early childhood preventive interventions.  This research has provided support for using pediatric primary care as a universal hub to provide services for families with young children, and integrating programs to address families’ varying needs and strengths.

I especially enjoy collaborating with colleagues across the Department of Pediatrics and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, as well as partners outside of academia. I have been honored to be involved in the evaluation of large-scale initiatives at the neighborhood and city-level that work to improve outcomes for young children, and to see my work shared with policymakers, educators, and others who impact the lives of families.