Molly Losh is a developmental psychologist whose research focuses on autism and related conditions – specifically on social communication and associated abilities. Her work examines how these key traits can span diagnostic boundaries, and give clues to the brain and gene origins of complex human traits. Research from Dr. Losh’s lab has helped identify key mechanisms that might underlie the social-communicative impairments in autism; her work is helping bridge the gap between observable behaviors and their underlying biological and environmental factors – a connection necessary for understanding the causes of autism and related conditions, and for developing effective interventions to support affected individuals and their families.
Dr. Losh directs the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Lab, co-directs the Center for Transdisciplinary Training (in Northwestern’s Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences), and serves as the Associate Chair of the Roxlyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is also a faculty associate at the Institute for Policy Research. Dr. Losh completed her B.A. in Psychology at San Diego State University, and her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at the University of California at Berkeley, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
