Who is Dr. Julie Croff?

Dr. Julie Croff is a faculty member and researcher at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, specializing in perinatal substance use and co-occurring exposures among diverse cohorts of women. She has been involved with CIRCA for over a decade, serving in various roles including research project leader, associate director, and core director. She succeeds Jennifer Hays-Grudo, CIRCA's co-founder and former director.

The Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (CIRCA) is dedicated to studying the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, and family instability, on health and development throughout life. The center emphasizes the resilience and strength of Oklahoma families, highlighting that these findings represent associations rather than deterministic outcomes.

What is the focus of Dr. Croff's research?

Dr. Croff's research focuses on perinatal substance use and co-occurring exposures among diverse cohorts of women. She is currently the Principal Investigator of several NIH-funded projects, including the planning phase of the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study, a longitudinal research project that seeks to better understand the role of prenatal exposures on neurodevelopment.

What is the significance of Dr. Croff's appointment?

Dr. Croff's appointment as the new principal investigator for CIRCA marks a new chapter for the center, as it continues to address the challenges posed by ACEs and promote resilience within Oklahoma communities. Her leadership is expected to advance CIRCA's mission to mentor early-stage investigators and fund pilot studies, supported by a $9.5 million Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant from the National Institutes of Health.

January 8, 2026

Leadership Transition at CIRCA Enhances Child Health Research

News Summary

The Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (CIRCA) welcomes Dr. Julie Croff as the new principal investigator, succeeding co-founder Jennifer Hays-Grudo. This leadership change is pivotal in advancing research on the impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Oklahoma. With a $9.5 million NIH grant, CIRCA aims to foster resilience among families and improve child health outcomes. Dr. Croff, with over a decade of experience at CIRCA, will continue driving research initiatives while mentoring early-stage investigators and addressing community needs.

Oklahoma City, OK – A significant leadership transition at the Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (CIRCA) marks a pivotal development in advancing research on childhood adversity impacts within Oklahoma. Dr. Julie Croff, a dedicated faculty member at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, has been appointed the new principal investigator of CIRCA, succeeding Jennifer Hays-Grudo, its co-founder and former director. This change comes as CIRCA continues to champion research initiatives aimed at enhancing child health and development across various communities in Oklahoma.

The initiative is poised to make waves in the local educational and healthcare landscape. CIRCA, known for its comprehensive studies on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—ranging from abuse and neglect to family instability—aims to illuminate the resilience of Oklahoma families and the potential for growth and recovery from traumatic experiences. With a $9.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health supporting its mission, CIRCA’s work is not only crucial for understanding ACEs but also essential for fostering environments conducive to healing and community engagement.

Dr. Croff’s Background and Research Focus

Dr. Croff has been an influential figure at CIRCA for over ten years, taking on roles such as research project leader and associate director. Her extensive background in perinatal substance use and exposure studies informs her approach as she steps into this new leadership role. Instrumental to the ongoing success in understanding how early life experiences affect long-term health, Dr. Croff leads several National Institutes of Health-funded projects, including the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study, which aims to explore the effects of prenatal exposures on neurodevelopment.

CIRCA’s Objectives and Community Impact

CIRCA is dedicated to examining the relationships between ACEs and lifelong health outcomes while emphasizing that its findings represent associations rather than definitive paths. The center fosters a mindset of resilience within communities, working towards solutions that empower families in navigating challenges posed by adverse childhood experiences. As Dr. Croff emphasizes, the focus is on addressing the needs that matter most to communities and studying pathways for support relevant to local contexts.

Research Infrastructure and Support for Early Stage Investigators

The center operates through three main research cores: the Recruitment, Engagement Collection and Analysis Core, the Biological Systems Core, and the Administrative Core. These cores provide vital infrastructure, advanced scientific expertise, and collaborative opportunities for early-career researchers. By enhancing the training and mentorship of burgeoning investigators, CIRCA ensures a robust pipeline for innovative research that can influence policy and practice.

The Importance of Funding for Research Initiatives

Support from the $9.5 million COBRE grant from the National Institutes of Health underscores the commitment toward advancing research quality and output at CIRCA. This funding not only allows for the exploration of pressing issues surrounding ACEs but also facilitates the development of pilot studies designed to address specific needs among Oklahoma families. Such backing reflects a broader national commitment to understanding the complexities of early childhood experiences and their lasting effects.

Looking Forward: A New Chapter for CIRCA

Dr. Croff’s appointment represents a renewed effort to elevate CIRCA’s mission and objectives, continuing the work established by her predecessor while introducing fresh perspectives on addressing childhood adversity in Oklahoma. The center remains focused on leveraging collaborative research to foster resilience within communities, highlighting the importance of academic rigor in community health improvement.

As CIRCA embarks on this new chapter under Dr. Croff’s leadership, it invites public and academic engagement in its mission. Interested individuals are encouraged to follow updates from the center, learn more about ongoing research initiatives, and participate in community outreach programs aimed at promoting understanding and resilience in the face of adversity.

Conclusion

This leadership transition at CIRCA embodies a proactive step towards understanding and mitigating the impacts of adverse childhood experiences on health and community welfare. Through dedicated research and collaboration, CIRCA plays a crucial role in shaping Oklahoma’s response to these challenges, ultimately driving positive outcomes for individuals and families alike. Stay tuned for more developments from Oklahoma’s higher education institutions focused on fostering research and community service.

Key Feature	Details
Appointment	Dr. Julie Croff named new principal investigator for CIRCA
Research Focus	Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on health and development
Leadership Transition	Dr. Croff succeeds Jennifer Hays-Grudo, CIRCA’s co-founder and former director
Funding	$9.5 million COBRE grant from the National Institutes of Health
Dr. Croff’s Research	Perinatal substance use and co-occurring exposures among diverse cohorts of women

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dr. Julie Croff?: Dr. Julie Croff is a faculty member and researcher at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, specializing in perinatal substance use and co-occurring exposures among diverse cohorts of women. She has been involved with CIRCA for over a decade, serving in various roles including research project leader, associate director, and core director. She succeeds Jennifer Hays-Grudo, CIRCA’s co-founder and former director.
What is CIRCA?: The Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (CIRCA) is dedicated to studying the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, and family instability, on health and development throughout life. The center emphasizes the resilience and strength of Oklahoma families, highlighting that these findings represent associations rather than deterministic outcomes.
What is the focus of Dr. Croff’s research?: Dr. Croff’s research focuses on perinatal substance use and co-occurring exposures among diverse cohorts of women. She is currently the Principal Investigator of several NIH-funded projects, including the planning phase of the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study, a longitudinal research project that seeks to better understand the role of prenatal exposures on neurodevelopment.
What is the significance of Dr. Croff’s appointment?: Dr. Croff’s appointment as the new principal investigator for CIRCA marks a new chapter for the center, as it continues to address the challenges posed by ACEs and promote resilience within Oklahoma communities. Her leadership is expected to advance CIRCA’s mission to mentor early-stage investigators and fund pilot studies, supported by a $9.5 million Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant from the National Institutes of Health.