Dr. Kharah Ross

I am a Health Psychologist, with specialization in psychoneuroimmunology and maternal-child health and wellness. My aim is to understand the social and psychological factors that predict risk for adverse pregnancy and child outcomes, with a focus on biological mechanisms (e.g., immune system, cardio-metabolic system). Pregnancy, the postpartum period and early life are biologically sensitive periods, the outcomes of which can affect health across the lifespan, for mothers and children. As such, my research is framed within a life-course and developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) perspective. My work also focuses on diverse populations that are traditionally underrepresented in health research, i.e. lower socioeconomic status and/or racial/ethnic minority (Black and Indigenous populations) individuals.