Dr. Maria Motlagh joined Yale Child Study Center as a research scientist, specializing in childhood neurodevelopmental disorders her research spans several critical areas, including the effects of prenatal stress and adversity on child development, and the use of advanced electrophysiological methods to improve the understanding of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Dr. Motlagh has worked collaboratively with renowned experts at both Yale and Columbia University on innovative neuromodulation techniques, such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), as part of clinical trials targeting Tourette Syndrome and OCD.
Dr. Motlagh's most recent work focuses on resilience-building among immigrant and minority populations, with an emphasis on understanding and addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by these communities. Her commitment to this area is evident in her leadership roles and her integration of research and clinical care.
She completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry and a fellowship in Public Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, followed by a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center, where she focused on early childhood trauma. Dr. Motlagh also served as Chief of the Behavioral Health Department at the Connecticut Institute for Communities, where she gained extensive leadership experience in behavioral health administration.
Currently, Dr. Motlagh is a practicing Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Fair Haven Community Health Center, with a specific focus on refugee youth mental health.