Regional Representative Spotlight: Interview with Carolina Greco, Ph.D.
Date published: March 17, 2025

Regional Representatives play a crucial role in fostering connections, promoting research, and expanding the reach of ISSBD within their respective countries. In this spotlight, we feature Carolina Greco, PhD, an associate researcher in psychology at Aconcagua University, Argentina. Dr. Greco is dedicated to advancing developmental science in Argentina by creating opportunities for researchers and students to engage with ISSBD’s global network.

Carolina Greco, Ph.D

Can you tell us about your educational background and how your journey led you to specialize in developmental science?

Yes, of course. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share my experience. I hope it will be useful for those who read it. I am a psychologist. I graduated in my undergraduate training as a Licentiate in Psychology in the School of Psychology. University of Aconcagua, Argentina and made my Dissertation (thesis) about “Self-concept in adolescents with chronic kidney failure”.

Then, I decided to travel abroad and continue my training in a Ph.D. program at the University of Almería, Spain, in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology. I finished my Ph.D at the Faculty of Human Sciences – National University of San Luis, Argentina.

My Ph.D was funded by the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), and it was about “Positive Emotions: Psychological Resource for the Promotion of Mental Health in Children in Argentina in Poverty Contexts”.  After I obtained CONICET scholarships to carry out a Postdoctoral period, I focused on the studies of “Friendship bonds, acceptance and rejection among peers: Their importance for the promotion of children’s mental health in schoolchildren in contexts of social vulnerability”.

My vocation includes clinical practice and research, so I also applied for the Interdisciplinary Residencies in Mental Health under the Ministry of Public Health and completed my specialization in Clinical Psychology at the El Sauce Neuropsychiatry Hospital School, Ministry of Health. There, I carried out activities to assist and promote mental health for public health.

My training motivated me to decide on a Science of Development to be able to contribute and work for the promotion of mental health and the prevention of disease. I believe that the perspective of Development Science leads to the promotion of individual, family and community health. A Science of Development generates new knowledge but also contributes to social transformation and a sense of humanity.

Could you share a few highlights from your career that showcase your significant contributions to the field?

My contributions can be categorized into three main areas: 1) science and academic field: publications, book chapters, collaborative research projects, training in ISSBD workshops from different parts of the world that I had the opportunity to participate in thanks to ISSBD,  2) scientific dissemination activities at the educational field, public mental health for children and adolescents as well as for families and the community and 3) teaching activities:  Training of human resources and supervision of clinical cases.

Some key examples include:

As a Regional Representative, what motivated you to take on this role?

The motivations for accepting this role were several: 1) I have received excellent training as an early career candidate through workshops and conferences of ISSBD, so I would like students and researchers from my country to have this opportunity too. 2) The generosity, seriousness, camaraderie, human warmth and friendship generated among peers and professors of ISSBD have also been inspiring to spread enthusiasm for a Science of Development through ISSBD in my country, 3) I also value the acceptance and respect from ISSBD for different methodological strategies such as quantitative, qualitative paradigms and cultural studies that allow contextualizing and at the same time universalizing the topics of study.

How do you envision fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among developmentalists in your region/country?

One of my goals as Regional Representative in Argentina of ISSBD is to create a database with the Argentine members of ISSBD for future national and international activities with ISSBD that allow us to get to know each other; exchange ideas and projects; carry out collaborative work that enriches and contributes to the knowledge of human development.

I am starting a new ISSBD membership initiative in Argentina. For the initiative, I will be discussing ISSBD in a doctoral-level course, so  I also plan to include ISSBD members as guest speakers so that ISSBD is an overarching theme of the course along with guidelines. I am also making personal and institutional invitations for ISSBD memberships.

What are some of the unique challenges and opportunities for promoting developmental science in your region, and how do you plan to address them?

In my opinion, one of the challenges I see at this time in promoting science development in my country is the political and economic crisis that my country is suffering in terms of Science in Argentina. There is less and less funding for Public Science, which makes it difficult to carry out projects and initiatives. As for opportunities, I value the struggle, capacity for work and creativity that the scientific community has to reinvent itself in the face of diversity and to move forward in difficult times.

In this sense, I value and plan to be able to create networks and links to work in an interdisciplinary, interinstitutional and collaborative manner in order to unite economic funds and work capacity.

In your opinion, why is it important for researchers and professionals in your region/country to engage with the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development?

In my opinion, it is important for researchers and professionals in my country to engage with ISSBD because it will allow cultural studies to observe similarities and differences in the various aspects of human development and also facilitate contextualizing the study of development while respecting the reference culture.

What advice would you give to young researchers or students interested in pursuing a career in developmental science?

I would like to give some advice on the importance of understanding the perspective of Development Science as a position that will allow us to find results that lead us to the promotion of health in general, mental health in particular, and the development of interventions and public policies based on evidence and the voice of the communities.

Can you share a memorable experience or connection made through ISSBD that has been significant for you?

There were three memorable experiences or connections made through ISSBD that have been significant for me: 1) My first contact with ISSBD at the Regional Workshop in Brazil coordinated by Dr. Sílvia Koller. It was an amazing experience, I couldn’t believe I was talking with prestigious researchers whose scientific articles I was reading for my doctoral thesis. I developed beautiful friendships; 2) Joint work such as book chapters, and research projects with Dr William M. Bukowski in his line of work on friendship that shaped me and increased my knowledge on the subject; 3) Having had the honor of coordinating a Regional Workshop in Argentina entitled: “Investing in Sustainable Childhoods: Implications for Preventive and Intervention Research”, under the support and accompaniment of Dr Suman Verma. 

Always very grateful for the opportunities provided by ISSBD.

How do you typically unwind or relax after a busy day or week of work?

Spending time with my family and friends is a source of happiness and energy.

I have been practising yoga for 11 years, and it helps me relax and cope with the demands of my job. I also dance African dance with live percussion, which comforts my spirit, and I also really like to lose myself in interesting readings that relax my mind and elevate my creativity. Being in contact with nature through walks and trails is also a source of relaxation and energy recharge.

Get Connected
Interested in learning more about ISSBD’s Regional Representatives and how they support developmental science globally? Visit here to find a representative near you.