Alexandra Rodman, Post-Doc

What is one project you’re excited about that you are working on in the lab right now?

I'm excited to start the training phase of my (just funded!) K award, where I'll learn and apply machine learning techniques to digital phenotyping data (mobile phone) to predict future risk for psychopathology in adolescents

What is something that you enjoy doing outside of work?

Currently my extra time is consumed by my 4-month-old daughter, Layla, who is the most snuggly and playful little being.

What is something you have accomplished and are proud of outside of work?

I helped my brother apply to and get accepted to graduate school

Give us a snapshot of a moment of joy in your life.

Last night, I was feeding Layla and when I looked down she was smiling at me with the bottle still in her mouth. She started playing by coming off the bottle smiling and then quickly hiding her head and going back down on the bottle. I made a BOOP noise and she belly laughed and farted at the same time! It's so cool that a baby who has only been in this world for 4 months is already making up games to play with me!

Do you have any hidden talents? If so, what?

My talents have waned, but I used to be able to do a backflip, sing, and draw/paint (especially portraits)

What has made you the proudest in your time in the lab?

Something I've always tried to do and am proud I've maintained as a postdoc is prioritizing spending time on personal and professional projects that I value. A key ingredient to this is having a supportive mentorship team!

What do you want to be when you “grow up”?

I would like to have a few chapters to my life. In my first chapter, I hope to land a faculty position and direct a research lab mentoring trainees. My second chapter remains to be seen, but some ideas I've entertained include teaching psychology and neuroscience at a boarding school, running their mental health services, and conducting research at the school (e.g., school-level interventions; students leading their own projects). In a third chapter, I would like to semi-retire and downshift into a prolonged sabbatical by maintaining some form of work while doing things like spend a Spring in Paris.

What brought you to work here?

I came for the prolific research program studying developmental risk for psychopathology. While Kate's research has incredible breadth, I saw a path for my work studying social factors of risk.

If you could be anything (outside from your current field) what would it be?

Marine Biologist

What’s important to know about you?

I am a night owl