The Child and Family Research Network (CFRN) held a two day working conference on Adolescent Risk January 29th and 30th at the Elliott University Center.  Entitled “Translating Biobehavioral Models of Adolescent Risk to Prevention Science: From Development to Implementation”, CFRN brought together ten experts in their respective fields of Adolescent Research.  The conference took an interdisciplinary perspective on the problem of adolescent risk behavior, both in terms of the formal presentation by the guest speakers and by the involvement of faculty from participating institutions representing a wide range of disciplines and perspectives.

The first day of the conference focused on biobehavioral models representing human and animal biological and genetic research with direct implications for psychopathology and substance use.  On the second day, working sessions were led by experts in prevention/intervention work.  Participating faculty brainstormed with session leaders to critique models of risk, discussed viable evidence-based programs, and suggested ways of overcoming barriers to development and deployment of such programs.

 The conference drew faculty and graduate students from UNCG, Wake Forest, Duke, Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech.  Representatives from several Guilford County non-profit organizations were on campus for the event.  One of CFRN’s goals is to facilitate interdisciplinary research on and off campus and to build collaborations that will enable faculty to address some of the larger issues facing children and families in the community.