Michelle Martel | University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences

Michelle Martel

Professor

Chair

Born in a small town in the swamp just south of New Orleans, I enjoy the beautiful fall weather and landscape here in Kentucky! A fun fact about me is that I bought a Porsche, my dream car, to celebrate tenure and promotion! I also really love reading almost any book I can get my hands on, as well as travelling. I recently achieved my lifelong dream of writing a book! You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Clinicians-Guide-Oppositional-Defiant-Disorder/d…

Two other recent edited books are here:

https://www.amazon.com/Clinical-Assessment-Treatment-Childhood-Attention-ebook/dp/B083QBBB59/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Martel+clinical+assessment&qid=1579799103&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Developmental-Pathways-Disruptive-Impulse-Control-Disorders-ebook/dp/B07F6YVNL5/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=Martel+and+pathways+to+DBD&qid=1579799595&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Contact Information

michelle.martel@uky.edu

Kastle Hall

Education

Ph.D. in Psychology from Michigan State University in 2008

M.A. in Psychology from Michigan State University in 2005

B.A. in Psychology and Literature, Science, and the Arts (minor in French) from the University of Iowa

Research Interests

Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
assessment
sex differences and hormones

Affiliations

Psychology
Clinical Psychology

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Blog

Research

Broadly speaking, my research utilizes a translational, “bench to bedside” perspective to examine developmental pathways to Disruptive Behavior Disorders (DBD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), using multiple levels of analysis. To date, my research has explored pathways to DBD using a broad, integrative framework that includes attention to early-emerging mechanisms, or markers, of DBD, including temperament/personality traits and cognition, as well as postulated etiological factors, including both environmental (e.g., parenting) and biological (e.g., candidate gene, gonadal hormone) influences and their interaction. I am also interested in refining behavioral phenotypes and facilitating a better understanding of individual differences, including sex differences, through the use of advanced statistical methods. The main question my work addresses is: What mechanisms, or markers, can lead to early identification of a behaviorally-refined phenotype of DBD and ADHD, and can these markers help to elucidate causal factors that play a role in the developmental trajectories of DBD and ADHD?

RISK Laboratory

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ABOUT US:

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The RISK laboratory studies risk-taking behavior in young adults using a multiple-level-of-analysis perspective, spanning from genes to behavior and the social environment. We are particularly interested in examining integrative pathways to the outcomes of ADHD, conduct problems, and drug abuse. We also have a particular focus on better understanding sex differences in these pathways. For example, recent, emerging pilot data coming out of our laboratory suggests that young adult women are at increased risk for binge drinking at ovulation due to rapidly rising levels of estradiol, while women are at increased risk for inattentive ADHD symptoms just past ovulation due to rapidly declining levels of estradiol.

Aside from this recent young adult project, we have a number of other areas of active research inquiry that span from the prenatal period through young adulthood using the same multi-faced approach. Some recent areas of work that are currently ongoing in our laboratory, using archived and international data sets and advanced up-and-coming statistical and mathematical approaches, include:

-- development of more sophisticated approaches to cross-informant integration in assessment of ADHD across the lifespan

-- evaluation of the utility of personalizing treatment of ADHD based on child trait and cognitive profiles

-- identification of biological, temperament, and cognitive early developmental precursors to disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) from the prenatal period through preschool

-- determination of trait and symptom markers of common patterns of comorbidity from preschool into young adulthood

-- characterization of developmental change in pathways to DBD symptoms across development

Dr. Martel is recruiting students for Fall 2024 admission.

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DOCTORAL STUDENTS:

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Ashley Eng, M.A. – ashley.eng@uky.edu

View Ashley's CV

Ashley joined the RISK lab in Fall 2019. She completed her undergraduate work at Stonehill College and received her M.A. in Psychological Science from the Catholic University of America working with Dr. Brendan Rich. Ashley is broadly interested in the relationship between ADHD and hormones. Her current line of research seeks to explore post-ovulatory estrogen effects on ADHD symptoms and impairment across adolescence. In the long term, she aims to apply her findings to inform the assessment of ADHD and personalize the treatment of ADHD based on pubertal stage and/or cycle phase. In her free time, Ashley likes to take her dogs on hikes.

Representative Publications/Presentations:

Eng, A. G., Phan, J. M., Shirtcliff, E. A., Eisenlohr-Moul, T. A., Goh, P. K., & Martel, M. M. (2023). Aging and pubertal development differentially predict symptoms of ADHD, depression, and impairment in children and adolescents: An eight-year longitudinal study. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-023-01030-7

Eng, A. G., Bansal, P. S., Goh, P. K., Nirjar, U., Petersen, M. K., & Martel, M. M. (2023). Evidence-based assessment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Assessment. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911221149957

Eng, A. G., Elkins, A. R., Nirjar, U., Sizemore, Y., Monticello, K., Petersen, M., Miller, S. A., Eisenlohr-Moul, T. A., & Martel, M. M. (Under review). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the menstrual cycle: Theory and evidence.

Anjeli Elkins, M.S. -- anjeli.elkins@uky.edu

View Anjeli's CV

Anjeli joined the RISK lab in Fall 2020. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania and received her M.S. in Pediatric Neuropsychology at Univeristy College London. Anjeli's doctoral research is focused on pre-natal and perinatal factors associated with suboptimal neurodevelopmental trajectories, with particular interest in identifying early markers of risk for developmental externalizing disorders and development of family-based early intervention programs. In her free time, Anjeli likes to try new restaurants, play with her puppy at the dog park, and ride horses.

Representative Publications/Presentations:

Elkins, A.R., Petersen, M., Nirjar, U., Monticello, N., & Martel, M. (2023). Evidence-Based Assessment of Developmental Disorders. Assessment, 10731911231178290.

Elkins, A.R. & Martel, M.M. Interactions between breastfeeding duration and offspring temperament significantly predict symptoms of ASD, ADHD, callous-unemotionality, and disruptive behavior in toddlerhood (June 2023). Abstract accepted for presentation at the Postpartum Support International Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.

Elkins, A.R. & Martel, M.M. Breastfeeding duration and negative affect significantly predict disruptive behavior symptoms in preschool. (April 2023). Abstract accepted for presentation at the Gatlinburg Conference, Kansas City, Kansas.

Martel, M. M., Elkins, A. R., Eng, A. G., Goh, P. K., Bansal, P. S., Smith-Thomas, T. E., ... & Nigg, J. T. (2022). Longitudinal Temperament Pathways to ADHD Between Childhood and Adolescence. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 1-12.

Elkins, A.R. & Zickgraf, H. F. (2018). Picky eating and food neophobia: Resemblance and agreement in parent/young adult dyads. Appetite, 126, 36-42.

Madeline Petersen, B.S. -- madeline.petersen@uky.edu

View Maddie's CV

Maddie joined the RISK lab in Fall 2022. She completed her Bachelors degree at the University of Iowa, where she completed her honors thesis under Dr. Molly Nikolas. While she was at University of Iowa, Maddie completed an honors thesis on how genetics can moderate contextual experiences that accompany economic stress or adverse childhood experiences to increase the risk of ADHD and comorbid conditions. Maddie's interests are now in the lifetime trajectory of disruptive behavior disorders along with comorbidity development. She is particularly interested in how girls and boys differentiate in their disorder development. In her free time, Maddie likes to checkout coffee shops, read, watch tv, and hang out with her cat.

Urveesha Nirjar, M.A. -- urveesha.nirjar@uky.edu

View Urveesha's CV

Urveesha joined the RISK lab in Fall 2022. Before coming to the RISK lab, she completed her Bachelor's at the University of Delhi in India in 2018 before earning her Master's in Clinical Psychology at Columbia University in 2020. After completing her Masters, Urveesha worked at the Attention and Behavior Clinic Research Program at Penn State's College of Medicine under Dr. James Waxmonsky, Dr. Dara Babinski, and Dr. Dan Waschbusch. Urveesha has previously done research on examining externalizing behaviors and borderline personality features in children and adolescents. Broadly, Urveesha is interested in sex differences in disruptive behavior disorders and studying social and family functioning in children with externalizing psychopathology. She is also interested in examining shared risk factors across behaviors and disorders associated with impulsivity, focusing on females. Outside the lab, Urveesha spends her free time reading, cooking, and hanging out with her cat.

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UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS:

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Sarah Miller

Sarah is a senior at UK and an undergraduate research assistant in the RISK lab. She is currently finishing her B.S. in Psychology and plans to apply to doctoral programs in clinical psychology. Sarah’s research interest centers on neurodevelopmental disorders across the lifespan, with a specific focus on ADHD and ASD. In her free time, she enjoys being active outdoors, crafts, playing video games, and spending time with her cat.

Brooke Poynter

Brooke is a junior at UK and an undergraduate research assistant in the RISK lab. She is finishing her B.A. in Psychology, and she plans to apply for doctoral programs in psychology. Her research interests include substance abuse, alcohol effects, and mood disorders. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and playing volleyball.

Jessica Harrison

Jess is a Sophomore at UK and an undergraduate research assistant in the RISK lab. She will be halfway finished with her B.A in Psychology by the end of the semester and has plans on applying to a Master's program after she graduates. Her research interests include Disruptive Behavior Disorders in adolescents, anxiety, and the long-term effects parenting styles have on development. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and writing music.

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RESEARCH ASSISTANTS:

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Nina Monticello, B.A. -- nina.monticello@uky.edu

View Nina's CV

Nina is a post-baccalaureate research assistant in the RISK lab. She graduated with her BA in Psychology in May 2023. Since graduating, Nina has been working in substance use research at UK’s Center on Drug and Alcohol Research. Broadly, Nina’s research interests are ADHD and other comorbid conditions and how they intersect with LGBTQ+ adolescents through young adulthood. Nina plans to pursue her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to further pursue her academic and clinical aspirations. In her free time, Nina likes to drink coffee, go on walks with her dog, and listen to podcasts.

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RESEARCH COORDINATORS:

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Yancey Sizemore, B.A. -- yancey.sizemore@uky.edu

View Yancey's CV

Yancey is a post-baccalaureate student and the RISK lab's research coordinator. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kentucky. While in undergrad, Yancey did research under Dr. Jessica Burris, where she also completed her honors thesis. All of Yancey's research experience has been under the "chronic" umbrella, spanning from cancer to smoking cessation to ADHD. Yancey is pursuing her PhD in Clinical Psychology, where she hopes to focus on women with substance use disorders and related comorbid conditions. Outside of the lab, Yancey enjoys baking, going to the library, local coffee shops, and thrifting. She also has two cats with very big personalities!

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PAST MEMBERS:

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Pevitr Bansal – Currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of California, San Francisco, CA

Patrick Goh – Currently an Assistant Professor at University of Hawai'i at Mānoa in Honolulu, HI

Tess Smith-Thomas – Currently a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Kentucky Children's Hospital in Lexington, KY

Bethan Roberts – Currently at the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa, FL

Monica Gremillion – Currently at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI

Selected Publications

Selected Publications:

Martel, M.M. (2009). A new perspective on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Emotion dysregulation and trait models. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 50(9), 1042-1051.

Martel, M.M., Goth-Owens, T., Martinez-Torteya, C., & Nigg, J.T. (2010). A person-centered personality approach to heterogeneity in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 119(1), 186-196.

Martel, M.M., Nikolas, M., Jernigan, K., Friderici, K., Waldman, I., & Nigg, J.T. (2011). The dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) gene moderates family environmental effects on ADHD. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 39(1), 1-10.

Martel, M.M., von Eye, A., & Nigg, J.T. (2012). Developmental differences in structure of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder between childhood and adulthood. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 36(4), 279-292.

Martel, M.M. (2013). Sexual selection and sex differences in the prevalence of developmental psychopathology: Childhood externalizing and adolescent internalizing disorders. Psychological Bulletin, 139(6), 1221-1259.

Martel, M.M., Eisenlohr-Moul, T., & Roberts, B. (2017). Ovarian steroid dynamics and alcohol use: Interactive levels, estradiol surges, and progesterone withdrawal. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 126(8), 1104-1113.

Martel, M.M., Levinson, C.A., Smith, T.E., & Lee, C.A. (2017). Impulsivity symptoms as core of the developmental externalizing spectrum. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 45(1), 83-90.

Martel, M.M., Markon, K.E., & Smith, G. (2017). Invited review: Multiple informant integration in child and adolescent psychopathology diagnosis. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 58(2), 116-128.

Roberts, B.A., Martel, M.M., & Nigg, J.T. (2017). Are there executive dysfunction subtypes within Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? Journal of Attention Disorders, 21(4), 284-293.

Roberts, B.A., Eisenlohr-Moul, T., & Martel, M.M. (2018). Reproductive steroids and ADHD symptoms across the menstrual cycle. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 88, 105-114.

Martel, M. M., Goh, P. K., Lee, C. A., Karalunas, S. L., & Nigg, J. T. (2021). Longitudinal attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptom networks in childhood and adolescence: Key symptoms, stability, and predictive validity. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 130(5), 562-574.

*Bansal, P., Goh, P., Southward, M.A., & Martel, M.M. (2024). Impulsivity as key bridge symptoms in cross-sectional and longitudinal networks of ADHD and ODD. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 65(1), 52-63.

Eng, A. G., Bansal, P. S., Goh, P. K., Nirjar, U., Petersen, M. K., & Martel, M. M. (2024). Evidence-based assessment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Assessment, 31(1), 42-52.