Departmental Affiliations
David W. Sosnowski, PhD, is a developmental psychologist who studies the role of epigenetic modifications in the context of childhood adversity and substance use.
Research Interests
adverse childhood experiences; substance use; epigenetics; resilience
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Experiences & Accomplishments
David W. Sosnowski, PhD, is an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Mental Health. His research broadly centers on understanding the complex biological and social mechanisms linking childhood adversity to health and behavior throughout life and factors that promote resilience in these contexts.
Dr. Sosnowski's research is currently focused on the intergenerational transmission of stress, specifically how maternal prenatal stressors contribute to infant functioning and health through variable DNA methylation and gene expression in offspring.
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Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications
Sosnowski, D. W., Rojo-Wissar, D. M., Smail, E., Musci, R. J., & Johnson, S. B. (2022). Expanding on threat and deprivation: Empirical examination of adversity dimensions and psychiatric outcomes among emerging adults. Emerging Adulthood. https://doi.org/h474
Sosnowski, D. W., Feder, K. A., Astemborski, J., Genberg, B. L., Letourneau, E. J., Musci, R. J., Mojtabai, R., McCall, L., Holland, E., Loving, L., Kirk, G. D., Mehta, S. H., & Sun, J. (2022). Adverse childhood experiences and comorbidity in a cohort of people who have injected drugs. BMC Public Health, 22, 986. https://doi.org/hvtk
Sosnowski, D. W., Jaffe, A. E., Tao, R., Deep-Soboslay, A., Kleinman, J. E., Hyde, T. M., Shu, C., Sabunciyan, S., & Maher, B. S. (2022). Differential expression of NPAS4 in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex following opioid overdose. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 3, 100040. https://doi.org/hmvg
Shu, C., Sosnowski, D.W., Tao, R., Deep-Soboslay, A., Kleinman, J. E., Hyde, T. M., Jaffe, A. E., Sabunciyan, S., & Maher, B. S. (2021). Epigenome-wide analysis of brain DNA methylation following acute opioid intoxication. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 221, 108658. https://doi.org/fxtk
Sosnowski, D. W., Booth, C., York, T. P., Amstadter, A. B., & Kliewer, W. (2018). Maternal prenatal stress and infant DNA methylation: A systematic review. Developmental Psychobiology, 60(2), 127-139. https://doi.org/gc3vtz