About Me
I am a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech (California Institute of Technology), in the Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, where I work on the computational neuroscience of social media and emotion. My research explores how social isolation shapes cognition and mental health, with a focus on adolescence and young adulthood. I’m especially interested in whether digital social interactions — through smartphones, social media, and AI — can fulfill our social needs.
I received my PhD in Psychology from the University of Cambridge, where I was a Gates Cambridge Scholar at St John’s College. Prior to Cambridge, I completed my Master’s degree at UCLA and my postbaccalaureate studies at Columbia University.
Research Interests
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Adolescent brain and behavior
- Affective and social learning (threat, reward)
- Digital social interactions and mental health
- Early life adversity and resilience
- Parent–child relationships and caregiving
Education
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | PhD (Psychology) | University of Cambridge |
| 2019 | Master of Social Science (Psychology) | University of California, Los Angeles |
| 2018 | Postbaccalaureate (Psychology) | Columbia University |
| 2017 | Bachelor of Arts (Communications and Media) | City University of New York |
| 2015 | Associate in Applied Science (Advertising and Marketing) | Fashion Institute of Technology |
Speaking
I am available for public speaking engagements on topics related to adolescent development, social isolation, and mental health. If you’re interested in having me speak at your school, organization, or event, please get in touch.
Consulting
I offer consulting services for organizations and researchers working in the areas of adolescent development, mental health, and behavioral research.
Contact
For academic inquiries, please reach out at etowner@caltech.edu. For all other inquiries, you can email me at hello@emilytowner.com.