Contributor

Andra Wilkinson, Ph.D.

Research Scientist and Adjunct Assistant Professor

Andra Wilkinson, Ph.D., is a Research Scientist in the Implementation Research program area at Child Trends. Dr. Wilkinson is the principal investigator of a DOJ-funded project on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and delinquent behaviors in adolescence and potential malleable protective factors to block the connection. She also leads four tasks for the OAH Pregnancy Assistance Fund Technical Assistance project centered on partnering with practitioners to improve services for pregnant and expecting youth. Dr. Wilkinson also co-leads a data task for the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative targeted at partnering with policy makers and practitioners to improve the youth transition out of foster care. Dr. Wilkinson is interested in understanding preventing the events that can derail an adolescent’s transition to adulthood including incarceration, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancy, and mental health issues. Prior to starting at Child Trends, she worked in quality improvement, knowledge management, and implementation at Kaiser Permanente. She got her Ph.D. in Maternal and Child Health from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor.