Christa Payne, Ph.D.

Christa Payne, PhD is a developmental behavioral neuroscientist with specific interest in social, emotional and cognitive development during the earliest years. She completed her masters work at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, TX, her doctoral work at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and is currently the Director of Public Health at the Rollins Center for Language & Literacy at the Atlanta Speech School. In this role, Christa supports several early brain initiatives, including Talk With Me Baby, a multi-faceted effort to provide families and workforces with the knowledge, skills and support they need to foster the healthy brain and language development of all babies. Through this work, Christa is helping ensure that all children are on a path to social, emotional and cognitive success by preparing their brains for all future learning, including learning to read.