Kelly T. Cosgrove
Kelly Cosgrove, Ph.D. will be reviewing graduate student applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. Application deadline is Dec 1, 2025. Please see Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data for details.
Biographical Summary
Dr. Kelly T. Cosgrove (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor and licensed psychologist in the Clinical Psychology Program. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Tulsa and the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. She completed her clinical internship specializing in developmental pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Colorado, followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Dr. Cosgrove’s research integrates clinical psychology, developmental neuroscience, and intervention science to better understand and improve health outcomes in youth. Using advanced neuroimaging techniques, primarily functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), alongside behavioral assessments, physiological measures, and sophisticated statistical approaches, her work aims to identify the neurobiological mechanisms underlying mental and physical health. She examines how processes such as interoception, emotion regulation, and systemic inflammation interact to influence risk and resilience, and she evaluates how interventions such as mindfulness-based practices and exercise modulate these processes. A significant focus of her research is on neurodivergent youth, including those with autism, with the goal of translating neuroscience findings into practical, evidence-based tools for assessment and intervention.
Her research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Psychological Association (APA). She has received honors, including travel awards from the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) and the American Psychological Foundation (APF). Dr. Cosgrove serves on the Research Committee for the Sibling Leadership Network. She is committed to integrating a neurodiversity-affirming lens into all aspects of her work, mentoring future scientists and clinicians, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time outdoors with her family and golden retriever.