Areas of Expertise:

Walder's research program focuses on neurodevelopment of mental health disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, depression). She studies biomarkers of risk (using neurohormone assay, genetics, neuropsychological testing, brain imaging techniques) and environmental factors (e.g., stress) among healthy, high-risk youth and young adults. This includes use of prospective methods to better understand the early trajectory of illness, with an eye toward prevention and early intervention.