Ilana Huz is a research scientist in the reproductive health and family formation program area. She is currently working toward a PhD in Human Development at the Catholic University of America. At Child Trends, Ilana contributes to both quantitative and qualitative research focused on healthy co-parenting and family relationships; access to parenting resources and information; and parents’ choice of, and involvement in, their children’s early care and education programs. Broadly, she is interested in the direct and indirect effects of environmental factors, particularly parenting and early care and education, on children’s social and emotional development.

Ilana began her research career studying psychophysiological moderators of the effects of childhood maltreatment and family violence on long term adjustment. She then spent time conducting clinical trials on the treatment of adult depression and childhood anxiety at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital, respectively.

Ilana has also worked directly with children and adolescents, conducting semi-structured assessment interviews with children impacted by anxiety, OCD, and related disorders, and has tutored elementary school children in an after-school homework help program.