Adolescence is a time of intense emotional growth, social exploration, and — often — stress. For Casey Calhoun, a clinical psychologist and researcher in the UNC School of Education, understanding stress vulnerability during this developmental window holds the key to improving teen mental health.

Calhoun studies how teens cope with stress, especially within their closest relationships. He examines everyday interactions with friends and peers to understand how these moments shape emotional regulation and influence long-term mental health outcomes.

Much of this work takes place in the lab, where Calhoun uses cutting-edge technology to explore how stress affects the brain. One of his primary tools is electroencephalography (EEG) — a test that uses a cap fitted with electrodes to record brain activity in real time. He’s also developing a smartphone app to improve access to mental health resources for teens.

Calhoun actively involves undergraduate students in his research lab, where they help design experiments, develop app content, analyze data, and complete other tasks. Equipped with real-world experience, many will go on to pursue graduate degrees in psychology and public health.

“Becoming involved in research early allows students to test and refine their interests,” Calhoun explains. “Instead of guessing whether a research career might be a good fit, they can experience firsthand what it means to collect data, analyze results, and contribute to answering scientific questions that align with their interests. This process not only clarifies where their passions lie but also shows them how those passions can be advanced through research.”

Calhoun will be one of 26 participants at this year’s Research and Discovery Fair, part of University Research Week, on Wednesday, October 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the FPG Student Union. The event showcases active research spaces across campus — all offering opportunities for students to get involved.

UNC Research Stories sat down with Calhoun to learn more about his work and why student research experiences matter. 

What’s the main goal of your research?

I lead the Translational Adolescent Research (TAR) Lab in the School of Education. My work focuses on how everyday social experiences during adolescence affect stress and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and suicidality. I aim to turn this research into practical tools that reduce barriers to care and support teens directly. Ultimately, I want to improve prevention and create personalized resources that reflect teens’ unique needs.

What projects are you working on now?

One project looks at how social media affects teens’ stress. We’re testing a new EEG-based task that mimics online social comparison, which is when teens compare themselves to others based on the feedback they receive online. We’re studying how this kind of comparison impacts stress responses in the brain and body, and how it might increase risk for mental health issues.

Another project is centered around developing a smartphone app for teens. The app will include engaging, research-based lessons on teen development and well-being, and connect teens experiencing mental health challenges with mental health support. We’re co-designing the app with experts, teens, and parents to make sure it’s accurate, helpful, and something teens will actually use.

We’re also using statewide databases to update North Carolina’s Social Vulnerability Index to better identify counties with the greatest mental health needs and most barriers to care. This new index will help state leaders and service providers target support where it’s needed most and could serve as a model for other states.

What are the biggest challenges in your research?

Getting funding and building the right partnerships. Projects that use advanced methods and the development of digital tools require a lot of resources, and competition for funding in these areas is high. To strengthen our projects and increase competitiveness for funding, I’m teaming up with experts in psychiatry, genetics, business, public health, and computer science.

What’s the most surprising discovery your team has made recently?

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is one of the body’s major stress response systems. My research has demonstrated that two teens might show the same HPA stress response, which is measured by cortisol levels, but have very different mental health risks depending on other factors like inflammation or how they feel emotionally.

This has changed how we design studies. Now, we look at multiple systems — the brain, hormones, immune responses, and emotions — together to get a clearer, more holistic picture of how stress affects mental health.

If your research could solve one big problem, what would it be?

Helping identify which teens are most at risk for mental health issues and connecting them with the right kind of support. That means understanding who’s most vulnerable, what kind of help works best for them, and making sure they can access it.

What’s the coolest tool you use in the lab?

A state-of-the-art EEG system that measures brain activity and physiological responses simultaneously and automatically timestamps and syncs multiple data streams. This helps us see how different systems react to stress in real time and build detailed profiles of risk and resilience.

What can undergraduate students do in your lab?

Undergrads help with everything from recruiting participants to running experiments and collecting data. They also help design surveys, review research, and even create content for the smartphone app for teens. Advanced students can take on their own research projects, which can lead to honors theses or conference presentations.

What do students gain from working with you?

They build strong research skills — learning how to read studies, design experiments, and think critically about how research can be applied in the real world. Those who take on independent projects also learn how to analyze data and present their findings.

As an example, one student completed a project using data from our lab and was able to talk about that research in her applications to grad school, ultimately gaining admission to the Clinical and Health Psychology PhD program at the City University of New York.