Karin Scheetz Walsh, PsyD

Director, Neuropsychology, Brain Tumor Institute

Neuropsychologist

Karin S. Walsh, PsyD, is professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, clinical director of the Brain Tumor Institute Neuropsychology Program at Children’s National. She is also founder and director of the CONSTELLATION Lab at Children's National Research Institute in Washington, D.C. Dr. Walsh is a pediatric neuropsychologist whose clinical and research programs focus on understanding how childhood neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders affect brain development, cognition, behavior and everyday functioning across the lifespan.

Her work centers on children and adolescents with pediatric brain tumors, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and related neurodevelopmental conditions, with particular expertise in cerebellar dysfunction, executive functioning, learning and adaptive outcomes. Through the CONSTELLATION Program, Dr. Walsh leads an interdisciplinary team dedicated to connecting discoveries in neuroscience, neuroimaging and neurocognitive science to meaningful improvements in the lives of children and families. Her research spans biomarker discovery, cognitive phenotyping, translational neuroscience, and the development of medical and behavioral interventions that promote resilience, neurodevelopment and functional outcomes.

Dr. Walsh is an internationally recognized leader in pediatric neurocognitive research and clinical trial development. She currently serves as chair of the Neurocognitive Committee of the NF Clinical Trials Consortium and previously chaired the Neurocognitive Committee of the Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis (REiNS) International Collaboration. She is a founding member and past president of the Posterior Fossa Society, an international multidisciplinary organization dedicated to improving outcomes for children affected by cerebellar mutism syndrome and other cerebellar disorders. She also serves on multiple national and international scientific working groups focused on advancing neurocognitive outcomes research for children with acquired and congenital neurological conditions.

A passionate mentor and educator, Dr. Walsh is committed to training the next generation of clinicians and scientists through the mentorship of students, trainees, and early-career faculty in psychology, neuropsychology, medicine and clinical research. Her work is guided by a simple principle: ensuring that scientific discovery ultimately translates into better everyday outcomes for children and families.

Publications

Google Scholar

ORCID

PUBMED

• Brain Tumor Institute (Neuro-oncology)
• Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
• Neurofibromatosis Institute
• Neuropsychology
• Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders Center
• Telehealth