Dr. Christina Sharkey (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Catholic University of America and the director of the SHARK Lab. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Pediatric Psychology from Oklahoma State University. She completed her Doctoral Internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and her  Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Departments of Neurology, Oncology, Hematology & BMT at Children's National Hospital. Dr. Sharkey also has appointments as a Research Affiliate Member of the Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Children's National Hospital.

Broadly, her  research aims to promote positive health outcomes for children, emerging adults, and families impacted by complex and life-threatening pediatric health conditions. Dr. Sharkey's work is informed by the biopsychosocial model of health with a developmental-ecological perspective, and utilizes a variety of research methodologies to understand the multidimensional influences on health.  

Faculty Web Page

Google Scholar Page

Doctoral Research Assistant

Frances (she/her) is a fourth-year Clinical Psychology doctoral student. She received her BA in Psychological and Brain Sciences from George Washington University in 2019.  She has worked on research with youth with food allergy and diabetes, and patients on the inpatient psychiatric unit. Some of her research interests include anxiety disorders, caregiver-child relationships, health disparities, and intervention development for youth with medical conditions.

Doctoral Research Assistant

Mary Rose is a third-year Clinical Psychology doctoral student. She received her BA in Psychology from Brown University in 2022. Prior to attending CUA, Mary Rose worked as a research coordinator at the Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center, where she managed multiple projects related to parent-child communication about hereditary and late-stage parental cancer. Her research interests include parent-child communication, family functioning, and children's social, emotional, and cognitive development in the context of chronic illness.

Doctoral Research Assistant

Meredith is a first-year Clinical Psychology doctoral student. She received her BA (2023) and MA (2024) from American University. Prior to starting at CUA, she worked as a neuropsychological clinical research coordinator in the Brain Tumor Institute at Children's National Hospital, where she engaged with multiple projects related to learning, cognition, and emotional development in survivors of pediatric brain tumor. Her research interests are centered around executive function, adaptive function, and long-term emotional development in survivors of pediatric illness and children/adolescents living with chronic illness. 

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Julia is a junior psychology BA major at CUA. She is interested in the prenatal and developmental risk factors that lead to a mental illness. In the future she would like to continue research on the development of mental illnesses. She is excited to learn more from volunteering at the SHARK lab! 

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Camila is a sophomore in the BS Psychology and Brain Sciences program. She is interested in pursuing a career in pediatric neuropsychology. She can't wait to grow her knowledge and learn more about the research setting!

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Riley is a Sophomore Psychological and Brain Sciences major at the Catholic University of America. She is interested in pursuing a career in neuropsychology or pediatric psychology. She excited to be a part of the SHARK research lab and to be able to use the lab to grow her research knowledge, and gain experience!

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Faith is a senior in the Biology program with a minor in Psychology. She is interested in pursuing a career in healthcare and learning more about the relationship between psychology and medicine. She is excited to join the SHARK lab and make a positive impact on the lives of others through research. 

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Robin is a junior Psychology major with a minor in Business (Finance). She is interested in pursuing a career in pediatric psychology and understanding the mental health and well being of others particularly young adults and children.  I am excited to be a part of the SHARK lab to learn more about research methods/settings and how to positively support children. 

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Addie Wildermuth is a junior Psychology and Music double major at the Catholic University of America. She is interested in childhood development and pediatric psychology and hopes to pursue a career in pediatric occupational therapy. She is excited to be a part of the SHARK lab and positively impact children’s health through research.