Development, Environment, and Resilience Lab at FSU

07/13/2026

Researchers presented new findings at the 2026 Neurofibromatosis Conference, hosted by the Children's Tumor Foundation.

The DEaR Lab contributed two platform presentations and six poster presentations highlighting neurobehavioral functioning across the lifespan in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Research topics included the relationships among sleep, physical activity, emotion, and cognition in adolescents with NF1; neurobehavioral subgroups in children and adolescents; cognitive profiles and aging in middle-aged and older adults; and a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions to improve neurobehavioral functioning.

Learn More About NF1 on the DEaR Lab Website: https://med.fsu.edu/houlab/home

05/29/2026

02/19/2026

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Yang Hou, Ph.D., on her appointment as Associate Editor of the Journal of Research on Adolescence, the flagship publication of the Society for Research on Adolescence. 🎉

JRA publishes innovative, rigorous work spanning psychological, social and biological perspectives on adolescent development, and is widely regarded as a leading forum for advancing theory, policy, and practice in the field. This prestigious editorial appointment reflects Hou’s leadership in developmental science and her growing influence in shaping rigorous, impactful scholarships in the field. 👏

Journal Website: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15327795

12/08/2025

We are incredibly proud to share the accomplishments of our lab director, Dr. Yang Hou, along with her personal reflection on her story and journey. Her words speak to the strength, dedication, and heart that she brings to our work every day. We wanted to share this with all of you as a reminder of how meaningful strong leadership is in science and how the resilience within our community continues to inspire our work.

Dr. Hou’s story is rooted in compassion, perseverance, and a commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices. These are the same principles she continues to instill in all of us through her leadership, and they guide the work we are privileged to do with you.

“𝐀𝐦 𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡? 𝐃𝐨 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?” This question, which Michelle Obama shared in 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨, has echoed in my mind my entire life. I grew up in a small, impoverished village in Sichuan, China. ...

12/08/2025

🌟 Celebrating Dr. Yang Hou! 🌟

We are excited to share that our amazing lab director, Dr. Yang Hou, was recently highlighted by the FSU College of Medicine as a Rising Star. Her passion for helping families and communities shines through everything she does.

Dr. Hou’s work focuses on understanding health, development, and well-being in a way that uplifts underrepresented communities, including families affected by rare conditions like NF1.

We are so proud to see her recognized for the impact she is making. Thank you to all of our participants and families for being such an important part of this journey. We truly could not do this work without you. 💛

Check out her spotlight feature here to learn more about her story and the amazing work happening in our community.

As Florida State University continues to rise in stature as a research university with an R1 classification, the College of Medicine plays a key role in that growth.

10/03/2025

06/27/2025

The DEaR Lab team, Yang Hou, Dan Liu, Liyan Yu, and Matthew R. Jamnik shared seven research projects at the 2025 Neurofibromatosis (NF) Conference in D.C., including one platform talk and six posters on ADHD, cognitive function, academic skills, and mental health in individuals with NF1. 🧠📊

A standout moment: Matt Jamnik’s poster on cognitive function in older adults with NF1 won first place in the poster competition, earning him a spot as a plenary speaker in the main hall. 🏆🎤

The lab is proud to advance research that supports the NF1 community and is grateful for the opportunity to share their work on a national stage. ⭐

Visit the DEaR Lab website to learn more about NF1: https://med.fsu.edu/houlab/home

04/01/2025

Excited to share our latest publication in Pediatrics! 📢

Our study of 1,512 children with ( ) highlights significant academic challenges that start early and worsen over time.

We also found that academic trajectories varied based on demographic and disease factors. Findings underscore the need for early and tailored intervention.


Children's Tumor Foundation Neurofibromatosis Network

10.1542/6364912648112Video AbstractPEDS-VA_2024-0670166364912648112BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES. Learning difficulties are frequently reported in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), yet little is known about the extent and predictors of their academic functions across ages. We aimed to examin...