Brooke Iwamoto, MA

Dissertation: Understanding the Impact of Melatonin Use on Adolescent Functioning 

Dissertation successfully proposed May 21, 2021 

Brooke is a clinical psychology Ph.D. student (Neuroscience & Neuropsychology Concentration) at Loma Linda University’s School of Behavioral Health. Their research interests include topics such as pediatric modifiable health behaviors, including sleep, diet, and exercise, as well as melatonin use in pediatric populations. Brooke’s dissertation seeks to explore the effects of exogenous melatonin supplementation on a typically developing adolescent sample, a neglected population in the literature. Further, they enjoy collaborating with various specialties, including professionals from Loma Linda University’s School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, and School of Public Health. Other broad research interests include pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and LGBTQ+ youth advocacy. 

Outside of academia, Brooke is a founding member of Loma Linda University's Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), which aims to foster student interest in surveying queer history, culture, and healthcare, as well as expressions of actionable advocacy and cultural humility by providing leadership, programs, and service. 

Awards: 

Iwamoto, B. K., Neece, C. L., Nair, A., Rockwood, N. J., Fenning, R. M., Krantz, M. L., & Van Dyk, T. R. In Progress. Exploring the bidirectional relationships between child sleep, child behavior, and parenting stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder. 

Iwamoto, B. K., Decker, K. M., Byars, K. C., & Van Dyk, T. R. In Progress. Impact of exogenous melatonin on sleep and daytime functioning in healthy, typically developing adolescents.

Feghali, P. T., Iwamoto, B. K., Rockwood, N. J., Nelson, T. D., & Van Dyk, T. R. In Progress. Emotion regulation as a mediator of the relationship between sleep and behavior in youth. 

Feghali, P. T., Rawal, B. M., Iwamoto, B. K., Triplett, O. M., & Van Dyk, T. R. In Progress. Anxiety and depression as mediators of the sleep-pain relationship in youth presenting for polysomnography.  

SYMPOSIA 

Iwamoto, B., Lo, L., Barajas, A., & Beals, K. (2019, April). Improving LGBTQ inclusion practices in K-12 education. Symposium presented at the 99^th Annual Western Psychological Association Conference, Pasadena, CA.  

PRESENTATIONS 

Iwamoto, B. K., Krantz, M. L., Neece, C. L., Nair, A., Rockwood, N. J., Gutierrez, H., Fenning, R. M., Van Dyk, T. R. (2022, April 7-9). Exploring the bidirectional relationships between child sleep, child behavior, and parenting stress in families of children with ASD [Poster presentation]. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference, Phoenix, Arizona.  

Feghali, P. T., Iwamoto, B. K., & Van Dyk, T. R. (2021, April 8-9). Emotion regulation mediates the relationship between sleep and behavior in youth [Poster presentation]. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference (virtual). 

Rawal, B., Iwamoto, B. K., Feghali, P. T., & Van Dyk, T. R., (2021, April 8-9). Depression and anxiety as mediators of the sleep-pain relationship among an ethnically diverse sample [Poster presentation]. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference (virtual). 

Iwamoto, B. K., Lenihan, J., Nichols, J., Pivonka-Jones, J., Freier-Randall, K., & Ashwal, S. (2017, February 1-4). Recovery of memory following pediatric TBI: The impact of coma [Poster presentation]. International Neuropsychological Society 45^th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA. 

Lenihan, J., Iwamoto, B. K., Nichols, J., Pivonka-Jones, J., Freier-Randall, K., & Ashwal, S. (2017, February 1-4). Recovery of attention deficits following pediatric TBI: The impact of premorbid school performance [Poster presentation]. International Neuropsychological Society 45^th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA. 

Iwamoto, B. K. & Bacigalupi, S. J. (2016, August 4-7). Knowledge, attitudes, and reporting behaviors associated with mTBI [Poster presentation]. American Psychological Association 124^th Annual Convention, Denver, CO.