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Avshalom Caspi

Edward M. Arnett Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
Psychology & Neuroscience
2020 W Main Street Suite 201, Box 104410, Durham, NC 27708
2020 W Main Street Suite 201, Box 104410, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Caspi’s research is concerned with three questions: (1) How do childhood experiences shape aging and the course of health inequalities across the life span?  (2) How do genetic differences between people shape the way they respond to their environments? (3) How do mental health problems unfold across and shape the life course? 

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Edward M. Arnett Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience · 2008 - Present Psychology & Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience · 2007 - Present Psychology & Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · 2012 - Present Psychiatry, Child & Family Mental Health & Community Psychiatry, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Faculty Research Scholar of DuPRI's Population Research Center · 2010 - Present Duke Population Research Center, Duke Population Research Institute
Faculty Research Scholar of DuPRI's Center for Population Health & Aging · 2011 - Present Center for Population Health & Aging, Duke Population Research Institute

In the News


Published July 1, 2025
Scientists Can Tell How Fast You’re Aging From a Single Brain Scan
Published January 13, 2025
How Fast Are You Aging? A ‘Speedometer’ Tells You
Published September 19, 2024
Mental Health Concerns Are a Huge Part of Primary Care Practice

View All News

Recent Publications


Children's Sensitivity to Facial Emotional Expressions: The Mediating Roles of Maternal Warmth and Home Environment.

Journal Article Developmental science · November 2025 Children's ability to recognize emotions in the facial expressions of others is critical for their social functioning and self-regulation. Children exposed to adversity often show differences in their ability to recognize emotions. However, most prior rese ... Full text Cite

DNA methylation profiles of long-term cannabis users in midlife: a comprehensive evaluation of published cannabis-associated methylation markers in a representative cohort.

Journal Article Molecular psychiatry · October 2025 Epigenetic responses to cannabis use could link cannabis use to health problems. We examined the DNA-methylation profiles of long-term cannabis users in midlife, re-evaluating a set of 246 cannabis-associated methylation markers that were previously identi ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Predict Mental Health Risk among Youth Presenting to Rural Primary Care Clinics

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2029

Duke-NCCU Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Training Program in Child Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Conditions Program (DN-IPT)

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2024 - 2029

Duke University Psychiatry Physician-Scientist Residency Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2024 - 2029

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Education, Training & Certifications


Cornell University · 1986 Ph.D.
Cornell University · 1983 M.A.
University of California, Santa Cruz · 1981 B.A.