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Stephen Hooper

Stephen Hooper
Stephen Hooper, PhD

Associate Dean and Chair, Department of Health Sciences; Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, Pediatrics, and Education

Location: Bondurant Hall, UNC School of Medicine

Education and Training:

  • BS, Child Psychology, Juniata College
  • MA, Clinical Psychology, Minor: School Psychology, Western Kentucky University
  • PhD, School Psychology, Minors: Developmental Neuropsychology, Behavioral Pediatrics and Counseling and Administration, University of Georgia

Summary Statement:

Dr. Hooper’s interests revolve around training and expertise in child neuropsychology, with specific activities devoted to outreach, research, and clinical endeavors. For over 25 years, Dr. Hooper directed a long-standing Child and Adolescent Neuropsychology Service through the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities where he evaluated and treated children and their families with a wide variety of neurodevelopmental, neurological, neuropsychiatric, and genetic disorders. Dr. Hooper currently serves as the associate dean and chair of the Department of Health Sciences in the UNC School of Medicine. The department comprises seven divisions, and Office of Research and Scholarship, and numerous programs devoted to the broad area of rehabilitation science. His research has focused on increasing the understanding of the neurobiological bases of childhood disorders, with a particular emphasis on phenotypic neurocognitive functioning. To date, he has engaged in numerous research efforts to examine the neurocognitive abilities of children with genetic disorders (Turner Syndrome, 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome), neurodevelopmental disorders (reading disabilities, writing disabilities, autism spectrum disorder), neuropsychiatric disorders (early-onset childhood schizophrenia, pediatric bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, child maltreatment, adolescent substance abuse disorders-cannabis and alcohol), neurological disorders (traumatic brain injuries), and chronic health conditions (low birth weight, chronic kidney disease, pediatric hypertension). Dr. Hooper’s research efforts also have led to working on dedicated interventions for improving the phenotypic weaknesses presented in many childhood disorders and using neurocognitive measurement to determine moderation effects and overall treatment effectiveness across pharmacological, cognitive, social-behavioral, and educational interventions. These efforts also have contributed to his teaching of graduate students in the area of pediatric neuropsychology, working with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Early Childhood Branch of Maternal and Child Health around policies and programs for children with brain injuries, and serving on numerous state and national boards and committees pertaining to children’s health.

Publications:

PubMedGoogle ScholarREACH NC