People
Kiki D. Chang, MD |
Faculty Profile
Director of the Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Program and Associate Professor
Kiki Chang, MD, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Division of Child Psychiatry. He is Director of the Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Clinic and Research Program, where he specializes in pediatric psychopharmacology and treatment of depression and bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. His research includes brain imaging, genetics, psychotherapy, and medication trials.
Dr. Chang graduated cum laude from Princeton University in 1988 and received his M.D. from the Tufts University School of Medicine in 1993. He completed his general psychiatry residency at the University of Cincinnati and his child psychiatry fellowship at Stanford University. After a postdoctoral research fellowship, Dr. Chang joined the Stanford faculty in 1999.
Dr. Chang is the recipient of the 2003 American Psychiatric Association/ AstraZeneca Young Minds in Psychiatry Award. He has been the recipient of two NARSAD Young Investigator Awards and has received a 5-year Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health as well as an 5-year RO1 grant from the NIMH.
Dr. Chang is the author of numerous papers and book chapters regarding bipolar disorder and has presented widely at national and international scientific conferences and meetings.
Amy Garrett, PhD
Research Scientist and Neuroimaging Manager
Dr. Garrett completed her graduate education at Wake Forest University, and postdoctoral education at University of California, Davis, and came to Stanford University to perform neuroimaging research in mood and anxiety disorders. Dr. Garrett uses MRI to study brain anatomy and function in psychiatric disorders.
Meghan Howe, MSW
Clinical Research Manager
After graduating from the University of Illinois with her bachelors, Ms. Howe received her M.S.W. from the University of California at Berkeley. For the past eight years Ms. Howe has worked with the child and adolescent population in therapeutic, educational, advocacy, and research settings. Under the mentorship of Dr. Chang, Ms. Howe has focused on specializing in the development, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric bipolar disorder.
As lab manager and under the direction of Dr. Kiki Chang, Ms. Howe assists in all research components of the Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Program, which include the phenomenologic, biologic, pharmacologic, therapeutic, and genetic studies of familial bipolar disorder. Ms. Howe is the co-author of papers and book chapters regarding pediatric bipolar disorder.
During her spare time, Ms. Howe volunteers as the clinical director at Camp Opehay, a summer camp for children with bipolar disorder and is a board member of the Northern California Youth Bipolar Foundation. Additionally, she conducts individual and group therapy with children with mood, behavioral, and anxiety disorders.
Ms. Howe hopes to continue to assist and conduct innovative research in pediatric bipolar disorder that will eventually lead to preventative techniques available to all children.
Manpreet Singh, MD, MS | Faculty Profile
Child Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor
Dr. Singh completed her medical education at the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University, and then went to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center/University of Cincinnati, where she completed her combined residency training in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (Triple Board Program), and served as chief resident during her final year. Dr. Singh also began her research training during residency, where she developed an interest in understanding genetic and environmental risk factors for developing mood disorders in children and adolescents.
As part of Stanford's Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Program, Dr. Singh is currently conducting research in the phenomenology, neurobiology, pharmacology, and genetic aspects of bipolar disorder in children. These studies include brain imaging (MRI, MRS, fMRI), medication, and psychotherapy trials.
Dr. Singh enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and singing. She hopes to one day run a full marathon and go hiking in Machu Picchu, Peru.
Ryan Kelley, BS
Neuroimaging Research Assistant
Mr. Kelley graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Neuroscience and Behavior. As an undergraduate, he was involved in an environmental toxicology research study investigating behavioral effects of manganese neurotoxicity. Additionally, Ryan tutored elementary school children with learning disabilities and worked as a undergraduate student intern at Stanford’s Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research developing behavioral stimuli programs. He enjoy the opportunities and lessons gained from mental health research.
Erica Weitz, MA
Clinical Research Coordinator
Erica Weitz graduated with both Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees in Child Development from Tufts University. As an undergraduate, Erica worked on various research projects, including a study on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and childhood anxiety. Her graduate work focused on development and psychopathology, with a research interest in temperament. Thereafter, Ms. Weitz worked at a non-profit that helped children and families gain free services in the community. In addition, she led developmentally focused groups for both children and parents. Ms. Weitz is thrilled to be a part of the Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Program at Stanford where she works with children and families and conducts research on early genetic and behavioral markers of pediatric BD and efficacy of family-focused interventions. In her spare time, Ms. Weitz enjoys practicing Yoga, especially standing on her head.
Elizabeth Adams, BA
Clinical Research Assistant
Elizabeth Adams recently graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Human Biology (Area of Concentration: “Neurobehavioral Biology and its Ethical Applications.”) As a Stanford undergraduate she worked in the Stanford Women’s Wellness Clinic, researching the long-term effects of pre-natal SSRI exposure in children of depressed mothers. She also spent time volunteering at the Arbor Free Clinic in Menlo Park and shadowing physicians at Stanford Hospital for various clinics. In addition, she was a Teaching Assistant for a graduate level Neurobiology course. She also enjoys hiking, kickboxing, and chatting with friends. Elizabeth is excited to have this opportunity to work with families, and further explore her interests in neurobiology and mood disorders at the Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Program!
Allison Libby, BA
Graduate Student Research Assistant
Allison is currently a second year in the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology Stanford University PsyD Consortium program. She previously attended UCLA, where she received her BA in psychology. Allison enjoys working with children and adolescents, and she is interested in mood and psychotic disorders, as well as family interactions. In the past she has worked with children, adolescents, and young adults with a range of disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. In her free time, Allison enjoys cooking, traveling, and watching sports games.
Erica Marie Sanders
Student Research Assistant
Erica Marie is a junior at Stanford University. She is majoring in Biology with a Specialized Field of Study in Neurobiology. She is very interested in the way social experiences influence the brain and brain development and is excited to see how social interactions affect bipolar disorder. She is very happy to be researching and learning with the Stanford PBDP. Erica Marie also spends her time as a volunteer at Planned Parenthood and an Exercise Guide at Stanford's Wellness Room. In her spare time she enjoys riding horses, reading, and having fun with her sister.
Cheri Dijamco
Student Research Assistant
Cheri Dijamco is a currently a senior at Stanford University majoring in Human Biology with an emphasis on the Psychological and Biological Basis of Child Development. As an undergraduate, she completed a one-year internship in public health, was involved with pediatric cardiology research, and worked with a non-profit that aims to provide homeless children with opportunities to succeed. Ms. Dijamco is excited to be a part of the Stanford PBDP because she enjoys working with kids as well as learning about the causes and treatments of pediatric bipolar disorder. She hopes to continue with research before pursuing medical school, but for now spends her free time at the gym, reading, or watching Friends.
