Dr. Parade’s research is focused on infant and early childhood development in contexts of risk, with emphasis on the biopsychosocial consequences of adverse childhood experiences on health across the lifespan. The overarching goal of this research is to inform the development of effective and efficient interventions to support young children and their families. 

My research is focused on human development at the intersection of individual and family contextual risk. Informed by transactional, biobehavioral, family systems, and ecological approaches, my research spans the spectrum from the basic science of the biological consequences of early adversity to applied clinical research focused on the evaluation of preventative interventions for children in poverty. This includes three substantive areas of inquiry: 1) understanding effects of childhood adversity on mental health and close relationships in adulthood, particularly as adults transition to parenthood; 2) understanding factors that contribute to risk and resilience among infants and young children exposed to adversity including maltreatment, maternal postpartum depression, and other family stressors; and 3) understanding biological and behavioral mechanisms by which childhood adversity poses risk for health problems across the lifespan. I am also interested in research methodology including observational and interview based assessments of behavior in infancy and early childhood, with an emphasis on the measurement of temperament. Nearly all my research occurs in collaboration with local communty partners including collaborators at several RI state agencies and direct family service organizations. My current research projects include longitudinal studies of children with maltreatment histories (R01 HD095837), transgenerational effects of maternal childhood adversity on infant health and developmental outcomes (R40 MC28318), a randomized control trial of a perinatal intervention to prevent child maltreatment and violence exposure (R01 CE003103), and development and examination of the effectiveness of a cardiovascular health intervention embedded within infant and early childhood home visiting (NHLBI UG3 HL163508).

NHLBI UG3 HL163508, Healthy Hearts/ Corazones Saludables: Partnership to promote cardiovascular health in Hispanic and non-Hispanic mothers and children in US home visiting programs. (S. Parade, S. Phelan, & R. Wing, MPIs). 5/5/22-4/30/24.

CDC R01 CE003103, Embedding Mental Health Consultation Within Prenatal Home Visiting to Prevent Child Maltreatment and Violence Exposure. (S. Parade, Principal Investigator). 9/30/19-9/29/24.

NIGMS P20 GM139767, COBRE for Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR). (L. Stroud, PI, S. Parade, Director Community Collaborative Core). 9/15/21 – 7/31/26.

NICHD R01 HD095837, Longitudinal Examination of DNA Methylation in Maltreated Children. (S. Parade, Principal Investigator). 09/01/18 – 08/31/24.

NICHD R01 HD086487, Risk Profiles and Mechanisms of Disease in Maltreated Children. (A. Tyrka, PI; S. Parade, Co-Investigator), 9/21/16-11/30/23.

HRSA R40MC28318, Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Parent Generation: Impact on Family Engagement and Program Efficacy of MIECHV Home Visiting. (S. Parade, Principal Investigator). 4/1/15 – 3/31/19.

Rhode Island Foundation, Behavioral Health Fund, Enhanced Training and Support: Fostering the Caregivers in RI’s Child Welfare System. (S. Parade, Lead Evaluator). 6/1/19-5/31/22.

Rhode Island Neuroscience Consortium, New Frontiers Award, Early Adversity and Cellular Aging in Mother-Infant Dyads: Mitochondria, Telomeres, and Mental Health. (S. Parade, Co-Principal Investigator), 5/1/18-4/30/19.

Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, 21296, HPA Mechanisms Underlying Links Between Inter-Parental Violence in Pregnancy and Infant Mental Health at 6 Months. (S. Parade, Principal Investigator). 1/15/14 – 1/14/18.

Health Resources and Services Administration, H25MC00270, Addressing Toxic Stress in Early Childhood. (Rhode Island Department of Health, PI; S. Parade, Co-Investigator). 6/1/14 – 5/31/17. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SM062426, Rhode Island Project LAUNCH 2015 (Rhode Island Department of Health, PI; S. Parade, Co-Investigator: Local Lead). 9/30/15 – 9/29/19.