Children and families who deal with chronic health challenges — and the psychological challenges that can come with them — have a friend in Dr. Christine Limbers, a Baylor professor whose influential research in these areas has impacted her field as a whole.
Limbers, an associate professor of psychology at BU since 2010, leads Baylor’s Pediatric Psychology Lab. The main focus of the lab is in its name, but Limbers and her fellow researchers go deeper in areas like obesity, chronic health issues, and psychological treatments to support the mental health needs of children and teenagers who need them.
Her research has covered issues ranging from the role of parents and siblings in supporting resilience and coping in children, to physical activity, emotional eating, caregiver stress, and more. It’s notable that her work has appeared in a variety of leading journals, but more noteworthy is that she’s having an impact that ripples throughout her field.
Each of the last two years, Limbers has appeared in a prestigious Stanford database of the world’s most cited researchers. The list, which represents the top 2% of cited researchers, is a sign of her impact, as citations mean other researchers are using her work as a foundation that influences their own.
Through her work, Limbers is helping to develop and improve ways to measure patient-reported information about their health, and then better understand the treatments and resources needed to support them. From physical health to mental health, Limbers’ research bridges gaps in understanding and helps children and families improve quality of life.
Sic ’em, Dr. Limbers!