The Noll Lab is directed Dr. Jennie Noll, Executive Director of Mount Hope Family Center, University of Rochester. We are based out of Mt. Hope Family Center and are affiliated with the Department of Psychology at UR.
Our Research. The Noll Lab conducts transdisciplinary research informed by public health, developmental psychopathology, and biopsychosocial perspectives. We use longitudinal methods, including prospective and cross-sequential designs, to understand the long-term impacts of child sexual abuse across multiple levels of analysis. Our work positions childhood maltreatment as a critical public health issue, while also emphasizing strengths-based approaches that highlight variability in outcomes and sources of resilience.
In addition to basic science on the health and psychosocial consequences of child sexual abuse, our lab prioritizes translational research. This includes (1) community-partnered clinical research focused on primary prevention and (2) policy-relevant work that supports maltreatment prevention at federal, state, and local levels.
Our Impact. We contribute knowledge across several key areas:
- Advancing understanding of how early, chronic adversity becomes biologically embedded and shapes development over time
- Highlighting child sexual abuse as a uniquely impactful form of adversity, with consequences across child functioning domains
- Research on primary prevention efforts can reduce rates of child sexual abuse at the population level
- Building strong partnerships between researchers and community organizations, including local Child Advocacy Centers
Read more about how our research supports the Boundless Possibilities outlined in the University of Rochester Strategic Plan
Our ultimate goal is to conduct evidence-based research that can be leveraged to support individuals affected by maltreatment and prevent child abuse in our communities and beyond.