Karim Ibrahim, PsyD
Assistant Professor in the Child Study CenterCards
About
Titles
Assistant Professor in the Child Study Center
Biography
Karim Ibrahim is an Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center. His translational neuroscience research focuses on the impact of early life stress, environmental factors, and problematic digital media use on neurodevelopment and youth mental health. His work also examines emotion regulation in youth mental health through brain imaging approaches. Dr. Karim Ibrahim’s research is interdisciplinary and integrates multimodal imaging including functional and structural MRI, machine learning, and network neuroscience approaches to identify robust brain biomarkers relevant to child mental health with clinical applications. His research also investigates dynamics of the functional connectome and the neural response to treatment in youth. His recent interests lie in leveraging computational neuroscience methods to understand the impact of social media use and content on executive functioning and emotion regulation in youth, and the link to mental health conditions in children and adolescents. As a licensed clinical child psychologist, he also has extensive experience in developmental psychopathology, including assessments and cognitive-behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder, mood, anxiety, and disruptive behavior . He is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Development and Psychopathology, and Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience.
Appointments
Child Study Center
Assistant ProfessorPrimaryDepartment of Psychology
Assistant ProfessorSecondarySocial and Behavioral Sciences
Assistant ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Center for Brain & Mind Health
- Child Study Center
- Department of Psychology
- Ibrahim Lab
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program
- Janeway Society
- MR Core
- Neural Disorders
- Neuroscience Research Training Program (NRTP)
- Neuroscience Track
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Sukhodolsky Lab
- Wu Tsai Institute
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral fellow
- Yale University (2020)
- PsyD
- University of Hartford, Clinical Psychology (2016)
- MA
- University of Hartford, Clinical Practices (2014)
- MS
- Quinnipiac University, Cell and Molecular Biology (2009)
- BA
- Rutgers University, Psychology and Neuroscience (2004)
Research
Overview
Multimodal Imaging Biomarkers of Cognitive Control Networks in Children with Disruptive Behavior (K23 MH128451): This study investigates the neural mechanisms of emotion regulation difficulties in youth with disruptive behavior. Disruptive behaviors include aggression, noncompliance, irritability, anger outburst, and/or easily frustrated. The study utilizes fMRI to identify brain networks involved in emotion regulation and that are implicated in childhood disruptive behaviors. Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, this 5-year study will enroll 135 participants between the ages of 9 to 12 years with varying levels of disruptive behaviors. A subgroup of participants will also be enrolled with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with and without co-occurring behavioral difficulties. Study participants complete parent- and self-report measures of emotion and social functioning, diagnostic assessments of child psychopathology including autism, and fMRI. This study leverages fMRI to understand patterns of functional connectivity across brain networks involved in emotion regulation in youths with disruptive behavior.
Effects of Social Media Content on Attention, Impulse Inhibition and Emotion Regulation in Youth (Yale Child Study Center Social Media Pilot Award): This study investigates whether social media use affects ADHD-related symptoms and cognitive control processes, including emotion regulation, in children and adolescents. Participants complete a brain scan (fMRI) and behavioral assessments, and measures of social media use. This research aims to inform evidence-based guidelines to help youth with ADHD engage in social media while reducing impacts on attention and emotional difficulties.
Neural Mechanisms of Emotion Regulation using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS): This study leverages fNIRS to understand links between brain connectivity during tasks of emotion regulation and externalizing symptoms. Participants complete a fNIRS scan and behavioral assessments. This research aims to glean an understanding of underlying neural circuits governing emotion regulation and social processing across child mental health disorders.
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
News
News
- April 04, 2026Source: Hartford Courant
CT researchers study social media and youth mental health. Including more use versus more harm.
- April 02, 2026
Family Conflict and Stress Disrupt Emotion Regulation in Youth
- March 30, 2026
Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Does More Use Always Mean More Harm?
- February 18, 2026Source: Medical Xpress
Study reveals how children with disruptive behavior get 'stuck' in specific brain states
Get In Touch
Contacts
Child Study Center
Neison Irving Harris Building, G02, 230 South Frontage Road
New Haven, CT 06519
United States
Ibrahim Lab
230 South Frontage Road, Sterling Hall of Medicine , I-Wing
New Haven, CT 06520
United States
Locations
Neison Irving Harris Building
Academic Office
230 South Frontage Road
New Haven, CT 06519
Sterling Hall of Medicine
Lab
333 Cedar Street, Wing I, Rm 171
New Haven, CT 06510