Biography
Dr. Amy E. Lansing holds a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, with specializations in both Neuropsychology and Forensic Psychology/Epidemiology. She has advanced training in Developmental Trauma and Behavioral Neurology and completed Post-doctoral Fellowships in Pediatric Neuropsychology (Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego and UCSD) and Adult through Geriatric Neuropsychology (VA San Diego Healthcare System and UCSD).
Research Interests
Dr. Lansing is the director of the Cognitive and Neurobehavioral Studies in Aggression, Coping, Trauma and Stress (CNS-Acts) research program at UCSD. Her National Institute of Child and Human Development funded interdisciplinary research program is dedicated to understanding the neurobehavioral underpinnings of high-risk behaviors and functional impairment in underserved and vulnerable populations, such as juvenile delinquents and maltreated youth. This program integrates neuroscience technologies (neuroimaging, genetics), cognitive rehabilitation, mental health services (treatment for trauma spectrum and drug/alcohol disorders; interventions for violence and impulsivity reduction), neuropsychology, criminology, social justice and public policy issues (e.g., health disparities, HIV/STD risk). Her research at CNS-Acts examines both the neurobehavioral profiles associated with trauma and the treatment of trauma and its impact on cognition in a variety of populations (e.g., active duty military; individuals with trauma, substance abuse, cognitive deficits and/or head injuries; maltreated youth; adolescent delinquents). To complement and enhance the interdisciplinary aspects of her research program, Dr. Lansing is also an adjunct professor in the Sociology Department, Division of Criminology, at San Diego State University and has strong collaborative ties within the SDSU system. Additional support for this research program comes from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and Department of Defense.
Clinical Information
Dr. Lansing is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides direct mental health and cognitive rehabilitation service delivery to incarcerated youth in San Diego County as well as active duty military at Camp Pendleton. She is on her second judicial appointment as one of commissioners on the San Diego County Juvenile Justice Commission where her work focuses on improving the programing available to, and conditions of, secure and non-secure facilities as well as the academic issues, cognitive deficits and unmet mental health needs of youth who are Wards of the Juvenile Court (Child Welfare and Delinquency). She is the only non-Probation Department committee member of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) committee in San Diego County. She facilitates compliance to Federal Standards in locked placements for youth, providing information about gold standard assessments; culturally sensitive staff training; and detecting maltreatment between inmates or between officers and inmates. Dr. Lansing is also a founding member and on the board of directors for Humane Smarts, a non-profit organization that seeks to enrich the minds of young people in San Diego County through a variety of community engagement (e.g., inner city gardening), artistic (e.g., inner city art walls) and academic (internet-based learning and scholastic tools) experiences. She has been an Independent Evaluator for the Board of Prison Terms in California, conducting Mentally Disordered Offender evaluations to determine if identified adult inmates are required to receive mental health treatment as a condition of parole according to Penal Code Sections 2960 et. Seq. (“MDO Law”). Dr. Lansing was awarded the CANCER inCYTES Scholar Spotlight Award specifically for her contribution to public health and social justice.