Gillings School Directory
Carolyn T. Halpern, PhD
Carolyn T. Halpern, PhD
Professor and Chair
Department of Maternal and Child Health
Faculty Fellow
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
Faculty Fellow
Center for Developmental Science
Faculty Fellow
Carolina Population Center
Dr. Halpern is professor and chair of the Department of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She is also a developmental psychologist and deputy director/co-investigator of the Waves IV and V National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) program project.
Dr. Halpern’s research interests center on improving understanding of healthy sexual development and the implications of adolescent experiences for developmental and demographic processes into adulthood, particularly as these relate to sexual and romantic relationships.
Dr. Halpern has nearly 30 years of research experience in the study of adolescent and young adult sexuality and risk-taking in both U.S. and global settings, and more than 100 peer-reviewed publications on these topics. She has received multiple university-wide and national awards for mentoring and academic leadership.
Honors and Awards
Recipient John E. Larsh Jr. Student Mentorship Award2016, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Nominated for Carolina Women’s Leadership Council Mentoring Award, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill2014, UNC-CH
Nominee for the John Larsh Student Mentorship Award2014, UNC-CH
Recipient Loretta Lacey Academic Leadership Award2010, National Association of Teachers of Maternal and Child Health
Recipient National Association of Teachers of Maternal and Child Health Loretta Lacey Academic Leadership Award2010, UNC-CH
Recipient Graduate School Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring2009, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Delta Omega2007, Honorary Public Health Society
Nominated for Carolina Women’s Leadership Council Mentoring Award, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill2007, UNC-CH
Nominated for the Graduate School Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill2007, UNC-CH
Nominated for the Graduate School Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill2006, UNC-CH
Nominee for the Bernard G. Greenberg Alumni Endowment Award2004, UNC-CH
Nominee for the John Larsh Student Mentorship Award, Spring2001, n/a
Nominee for McGavran Excellence in Teaching Award, Spring2000, n/a
Representative Courses
Teaching Interests
Research Activities
Dr. Halpern’s research interests center on improving understanding of healthy sexual development and the implications of adolescent experiences for developmental and demographic processes into adulthood. Her early research focused on the hormonal underpinnings of pubertal change and how the interactions of physical, psychological and social changes contribute to adolescent sexual initiation and behavior. Her current research examines comprehensive sexual initiation patterns among youth, and the implications of those patterns for later sexual behavior and adult health. Most of her research uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), for which Dr. Halpern serves as Deputy Director.Service Activities
2017 – present NIH CIHB - Community Influences on Health Behavior Study Section, Standing Member
2016 – present Member of Unintended Pregnancy Priority Working Group, NC State Health Improvement plan
2016 - present Member Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for NIDDK funded clinical consortium titled Adolescent Bariatrics: Assessing Health Benefits and Risks (Teen-LABS) study
2016 – Present Chair, Resource Development Committee, Sexual Health Initiatives for Teens, North Carolina (SHIFT NC); [Formerly Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina]
2015 – present Associate Editor for Public Health and Policy, Journal of Adolescent Health
2014 – present Member, Dean’s Council
2014 – present Member, Chairs’ Committee
2013 - present Advisory Board Member, Future of Sex Education (FoSE) Collaboration
2013 – Present Member, Board of Directors, Sexual Health Initiatives for Teens, North Carolina (SHIFT NC); [Formerly Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina]
Practice Activities
Program Committee Member for the 2018 Meeting of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.Organizer and chair for the session “Adolescent Risk Behaviors and Health” for 2018 meeting of the Population Association of America.
