Lab Manager
Dissertation Title: Understanding the Impact of Melatonin Use on Adolescent Functioning
Dissertation successfully proposed: May 21, 2021
Dissertation Defended: October 5, 2023
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:
Dean's List, School of Behavioral Health (2019-present)
Peer-Reviewed Publications:
Iwamoto, B. K., Neece, C. L., Nair, A., Rockwood, N. J., Fenning, R. M., Krantz, M. L., & Van Dyk, T. R. (2023). Exploring bidirectional relationships: Child sleep duration, child behavior problems, and parenting stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 106, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102197
Feghali, P. T., Iwamoto, B. K., Triplett, O. M., Rockwood, N. J., Nelson, T. D., & Van Dyk, T. R. (2023). A daily-level, within-person examination of emotion regulation as a mediator of the relationship between sleep and behavior in youth. Frontiers in Sleep, 2, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsle.2023.1154638
Iwamoto, B. K., Decker, K. M., Byars, K. C., & Van Dyk, T. R. (2022) Impact of exogenous melatonin on sleep and daytime functioning in healthy, typically developing adolescents. Current Sleep Medicine Reports, 8(4), 62-73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-022-00235-4
Publication Under Review:
Feghali, P. T., Rawal, B. M., Morales-Coskran, N., Triplett, O. M., Iwamoto, B. K., & Van Dyk, T. R. Under Review. 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 99th Annual Western Psychological Association Conference, Pasadena, CA.
PRESENTATIONS
Iwamoto, B. K., Whitaker, A. M., Van Hirtum-Das, M., Agurs, L., Kahan, M., Jordan, B., Mendoza, L., & Chiang, J. A. (2024, June 5-8). Adverse effects of cenobamate (XCOPRI) among patients with pediatric epilepsy: Demographic considerations [Poster presentation]. American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology 22nd Annual Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.
Mital, S., Iwamoto, B., & Whitaker, A. M. (2024, April 19-21). The impact of sleep on neurocognition in a young adult with pediatric craniopharyngioma [Poster presentation]. American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology 10th Annual Conference, Costa Mesa, CA.
Garrett, P. G., Iwamoto, B. K., & Whitaker, A. M. (2024, February 14-17). Comparing BASC-3 functional impairment and ABAS-3 global adaptive composite scores in pediatric cancer patients [Poster presentation]. International Neuropsychological Society 52nd Annual Meeting, New York, NY.
Chiriac, G., Iwamoto, B., Kaur, A., Kim, R., Rajaram, S., & Lee, G. (2023, July 22-25). Effect of peanut intake on cognitive function in older adults with self-reported memory complaints [Poster presentation]. Nutrition 2023 - American Society for Nutrition, Boston, MA.
Iwamoto, B. K., & Van Dyk, T. R. (2023, March 30-April 2). Examining the relationship between exogenous melatonin and emotional regulation [Poster presentation]. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
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 45th 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 45th 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 124th Annual Convention, Denver, CO.