Jean Lowe, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
(Introduced by John Phillips, MD)
Education and Grants:
1985, Ph.D. University of New Mexico, Special Education with a composite minor in psychology
and statistics. Certification in the Neonatal Behavioral Observation Scale and the Neonatal
Behavioral Assessment Scale. Participated in a variety of multi-center NIH grants focusing on
the neurobehavioral outcome of infants born very low birth weight. Collaborated on grants within
neonatology to promote developmentally appropriate care within the Newborn Intensive Care
Unit. Lead a US AID grant in Vladivostok Russia training inter-disciplinary teams in early
identification and early intervention of infants born with handicapping conditions to help prevent
abandonment. Provided inservice trainings in a variety of regions in research to promote
developmental services for infants born preterm or with early identified developmental problems.
Research Interests:
Basic research interests focus on the neuro developmental outcome of infants born preterm in
relation to cognition, attention and self-regulation. Using paradigms such as the Still Face we
have found early markers that can be used to identify those children born preterm at greatest risk
for learning and attention problems. Ways to enhance parent-child interaction that can foster early
development is a current focus of our research. We are looking at using object permanence and
other measures of early executive function to identify those children with early working memory
difficulties. A current pilot study of brain imaging and developmental follow up of infants treated
with erythropoietin (BRITE) will allow us to further explore the brain behavior relationships n in
children born preterm of early executive function to various imaging techniques. Collaborations
have included the Department of Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology
and the MIND Institute.
Selected Publications:
Lowe, J., MacLean, P., Shaffer, M.L., & Watterberg, K. (2008). Early Working Memory in children
born extremely low birth weight, assessed by object permanence. Journal Child Neurology
(accepted).
Erickson, S.J. & Lowe, J.R. (2008). The role of maternal responsiveness in predicting infant affect during the still
face paradigm with infants born very low birth weight. Infant Mental Health Journal, 29 (2), 115-132.
Haley, D. W., Handmaker, N. S., & Lowe, J. (2006). Infant stress reactivity and prenatal alcohol exposure.
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 30(12), 2055-2064.
Lowe, J, Handmkaker, N., & Aragon, C. (2006). Impact of Mother Interactive Style on
Infant Affect Among Babies Exposed to Alcohol in Utero. Infant Mental Health. Infant
Mental Health Journal, 27(4), 371-382.
Lowe, J, Woodward, B & Papile, L. (2005). Emotional Regulation and its Impact on
Development in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants. Journal of Developmental and
Behavioral Pediatrics, 6(3), 1-5.
Lowe, J. (1993) "Only Time Will Tell," in P. J. McWilliams and D.B. Baily (eds.), Working
With Children and Families: Case Studies in Earlv Intervention. MP Brookes Publishing Co.
Inc.,pp.147-154.
Krehbiel, R., Munsick-Bruno, G. & Lowe, J. (1991) Individual family service Plan (IFSP) in
the NICU Setting. Children Health care, 20, 1, 26-33.
Lowe, J., and Papile, L. (1990). Neurodevelopmental Performance of Very Low Birthweight
Infants with Peri-Interventricular Hemorrhage: Outcome at 5 to 6 years of age. American
Journal of Disease of Children, 144, 1242-1245.
Biggler, E., Lowe, J.R., & Yeo, R. (1989) "Structure Anomalies And Neuropsychological
Outcome," in Bibbler, R. Yeo &, E. Turkheiner (eds.), Neuropsychological Function and
Neuro
Imaging. Chapter 12, New York: Plemon Press.
Papile, L. Munisick-Bruno, G. & Lowe, J. (1988). Grade III and IV Periventricular
Hemorrhage (PIVH): Longitudinal Neurodevelopmental Outcome. Pediatric Research,
23:453A.
Diaz, R. & Lowe, J. (1986). Private Speech of Children at Risk: A Test of Three Deficit
Hypotheses. Early Childhood Research Quaterly.