DIEGO PLACIDO
BIO
Currently, I am a budding PhD student at UC Davis studying Developmental Psychology. Prior to moving to the west coast, I spent most of my life in the Washington, D.C. area until I began studying Psychology and Neuroscience in Boston. In 2015, I graduated from Brandeis University and pursued clinical and experimental research at Brown University.
Throughout the years, I intentionally shaped my research training to incorporate diverse populations, including individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions that present throughout the lifespan, in order to holistically dissect the dynamic interplay between environmental influences, experiences, and the development of cognitive processes related to emotional and behavioral regulation.
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In my spare time you could find me lying about at the park, if the weather permits, being enthralled in a book or at a local coffee shop indulging in the caffeine I should be avoiding. Other things I enjoy doing include bouldering and strength training.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
VISUAL ATTENTION
I plan to expand on prior research that have intimated a connection between visual processing and social development. Similarly, in studying and applying selective visual attention modulation strategies to enhance executive functions, crucial for overall development.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS
Executive Functions comprises related processes that are relevant to planning, decision-making, and behavioral/emotional regulation. I am dedicated to understanding how external factors influence the development of working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility.
SOCIOEMOTIONAL REASONING
In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the development of socioemotional reasoning, which are relevant for strong interpersonal communication skills, I intend to investigate social reciprocity and adaptive behaviors in neurotypically and atypically developing children.