To foster a research network designed to improve the lives of children and youth
Through a series of monthly Spark Meetings, hear diverse perspectives and approaches regarding research, clinical care and policy implementation, followed by discussion on how cross-collaboration across disciplines could create synergy and spark new advances. Interested to learn more? Looking for collaboration?
When: Monthly
Where: Alternating between the Danforth and Medical Campuses
Questions? ChildrenYouthNetwork@wustl.edu
2024/2025 Schedule
January 24, 2025
12:00 PM | Goldfarb G132 (Danforth Campus) and Zoom
Chenyang Lu, PhD (WashU Computer Science & Engineering)
“Advancing Children and Youth Health with Artificial Intelligence”

Chenyang Lu, PhD is the Fullgraf Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, with joint appointments in Anesthesiology and Medicine. As the founding director of the AI for Health Institute, he leads a multidisciplinary initiative uniting AI researchers and health professionals to address critical health challenges through innovative, data-driven approaches. His current research focuses on developing machine learning models to predict health outcomes using multimodal data, advancing both precision medicine and public health. A Fellow of the ACM and IEEE, Dr. Lu received the 2022 Outstanding Technical Achievement and Leadership Award from the IEEE Technical Community on Real-Time Systems. He also serves as the editor-in-chief of ACM Transactions on Cyber-Physical Systems.
Resources

November 22, 2024
12:00 PM | Goldfarb G132 (Danforth Campus) and Zoom
Deanna Barch, PhD (WashU Psychological & Brain Sciences)
“The Enduring Relationship of Early Life Social Disadvantage to Brain Development and Risk for Mental Health Conditions: How to translate knowledge into action“
Deanna Barch, PhD is a Professor of Psychological & Brain Science, Psychiatry and Radiology, and the Vice Dean of Research in Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding normative patterns of cognitive function and brain connectivity, and the mechanisms that give rise to the challenges in behavior and cognition found in illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression, utilizing psychological, neuroimaging, and computational approaches across the lifespan. This talk will present results from a line of developmental research examining the relationship of early childhood poverty and early adversity to the development of the structure and functional connectivity of the human brain. Further, this talk will examine ways in which public policy could help mitigate the impact of poverty on child development. We will discuss how to make this knowledge actionable, by determining: a) how we develop effect prevention efforts; and b) how we motivate policy change.
Resources
October 18, 2024
12:00 PM | Farrell LTC 205 (Medical Campus) and Zoom
Abigail Barker, PhD (WashU Brown School)
“Impactful Collaboration: Encouraging Research-Informed Policies through Policy-Driven Research”

Abigail Barker, PhD is a health economist and research associate professor at the WashU Brown School. She is Associate Director for Policy Partnerships at the WashU Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy, and Economics Research, a role which includes helping social science and clinical researchers add cost and cost-effectiveness analyses to their work to increase policy relevance, as well as creating data visualizations to allow stakeholders to interactively understand the tradeoffs of various health policy choices.
She is also an economic consultant for the State of Missouri’s Medicaid program, contributing to transformation initiatives including payment policy redesign, accountability and transparency, and ways to address social risk factors in vulnerable populations. She designs data-informed and evidence-based policy solutions that focus on aligning incentives to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities. She believes the key is to define “value” in a comprehensive way that truly encompasses patients’ wellbeing. This approach is at the heart of several initiatives she is leading or assisting that aspire to move the needle on key maternal/infant health outcomes as well as improving sustainability in rural access to care within Missouri Medicaid.
Resources
- Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy and Economics Research (CAHSPER)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
- Medicaid Basics: Valuable for anyone looking to understand more about the policy details of Medicaid, regardless of the state.

September 27, 2024
12:00 pm | Goldfarb G132 (Danforth Campus) and Zoom
Sarah Garwood, MD (WashU Pediatrics)
“Caring for adolescents in community settings: Supporting sustainable programs through research partnerships”
Sarah Garwood, MD, Professor in Pediatrics and Interim Division Director, Adolescent Medicine (Department of Pediatrics) is a leader in community adolescent medicine and a member of the CYCN Scientific Board.
Dr. Garwood is Medical Director of The SPOT which serves adolescents in the community and has worked there since its doors opened in 2008. She then developed what is now the school-based health center in Jennings, The SPOT@Jennings and serves as Medical Director. The SPOT@Jennings comprehensive team, serving hundreds of patients in Jennings High School, provides health and mental health resources and linkage to social services for young people. Sarah’s efforts have made her a leader for school-based health in the state and beyond. She has the unique ability to translate and expand her clinical experience to serve populations of young people in ways that work. Join us as we hear her talk about her thoughts about interdisciplinary research needs and opportunities related to improving the care and well-being of youth.