My research falls within the area developmental psychopathlogy with particualar expertise in developmental neuropsychology. I completed my PhDin 1996  on the neuropsychology of schizophrenia at the Institute of Psychaiatry in London under the supervision of Sir Robin Murray. Since then I have published widely in the area of psychosis, with a particular focus on understanding the neurodevelopmental origins and I was the PI on the Northern Ireland First Episode Psychosis study which I set up in 2002. My expertise in developmental neuropsychology was developed during my post-doctoral research at the Institute of Psychiatary when I collaborated with paediatricians from University College Hospital on a longitudinal study investigating the long-term outcome of very preterm birth. At the University of Manchester (2004-2008) I was able to develop my research interests in developmental psychopathology and to use state of the art structural and funcional neuroimaging techniques to understand both normal and abnormal brain development. More recent projects include the North West Adolescence Study which I set up with colleagues at Ulster University to explore the incidence and antecedents of self harm and other risk behaviours in adolescents. I am currently working on several projects exploring the impact of childhood adversity on adult outcomes. I am a Co-Investiagator on the Care Pathways and Outcomes Study investigating the psychological and neuropsychological outcomes in young people who were in care in early childhood, as well as the mediators and moderators of outcome.