My program of research examines the onset and maintenance of mood disorders across adolescence, with a special focus on the intersection of mood and maladaptive risk-taking behaviors such as substance use. I investigate reward and loss sensitivity, emotion regulation, and impulsivity as mechanistic targets to clarify these processes. To conduct this research, I employ a multi-method approach—including diagnostic interviews, ecological momentary assessment, questionnaires, behavioral tasks, and neuroimaging/psychophysiology (e.g., fMRI, HRV)—within a culturally humble framework. The goal of this research is to improve early identification of at-risk adolescents and to inform the development and adaptation of interventions for those with more severe or persistent trajectories (e.g., co-occurring major depression and substance use).