The Pennsylvania State University - United States
AUTHOR PROFILE
EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS
Kaitlin Trexberg's academic journey in Human Development and Family Studies began with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science, with a minor in Education, from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2013. She then pursued graduate studies at Pennsylvania State University, earning a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies in 2021. Her thesis focused on "Household Chaos Mediates the Link between Socioeconomic Risk and Poor Child Sleep," under the guidance of Dr. Douglas M. Teti and Dr. Sunhye Bai. She furthered her expertise with a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies, with a dual title in Clinical Translation Sciences, completing her dissertation on "Infant Socio-Emotional Outcomes During the Transition to Parenthood: A Bioecological Model" in 2024.
PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS
Kaitlin Trexberg has held various roles that highlight her dedication to Human Development and Family Studies. She is currently a Graduate Researcher at the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, where she leads data analysis for the Take Root Home Visitation evaluation. She has also worked as a consultant for the ZERO TO THREE Policy Center, where she was the lead developer for the State of Babies Yearbook 2023. Her teaching experience includes serving as an Instructor in the Human Development and Family Studies Department at Pennsylvania State University from 2021 to 2023.
CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS
Trexberg's research primarily focuses on the intersection of Human Development and Family Studies with socio-emotional development, household dynamics, and policy impact. Her notable work includes analyzing and managing longitudinal datasets on parent-child interactions and quality parenting, as evidenced by her role in the SIESTA Lab under Dr. Douglas M. Teti. She has also contributed to intervention adaptation research with Dr. Mark Feinberg at the Family Foundations project, focusing on parent co-parenting relationships and health markers in obesity risk.
IMPACT AND INFLUENCE
Trexberg's influence extends beyond academia into policy and practical applications. Her role as a Research Policy Fellow at the Research to Policy Collaboration involved developing family policy fact sheets and briefs, and providing technical assistance outreach to federal legislators. Her work with the American Institutes for Research further showcases her ability to bridge research with real-world applications, particularly in early childhood education and family policy.
ACADEMIC CITES
Trexberg's scholarly contributions in Human Development and Family Studies have been recognized through various roles and publications. Her research on household chaos, socio-economic risks, and child sleep quality, as well as her dissertation on infant socio-emotional outcomes, highlight her depth of expertise. Her involvement in significant projects such as the State of Babies Yearbook 2023 and her leadership in data analysis for the Take Root Home Visitation evaluation underscore her academic and professional impact.
LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
Kaitlin Trexberg's legacy in Human Development and Family Studies is marked by her commitment to understanding and improving family dynamics and child development. Her research on socio-emotional outcomes, policy impact, and intervention adaptations will continue to influence future studies and practices in the field. Her ongoing contributions as a researcher, educator, and policy consultant ensure that her work will benefit the academic community and society at large for years to come.
NOTABLE PUBLICATION