He holds a Ph.D. in human development from the University of Chicago and an A.B. in psychology from Princeton University. Before arriving at NDSU, Hektner was a research scientist in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Minnesota. Currently, he teaches courses in research methods, statistics, observation and assessment of children, and human development. His research interests primarily involve family and peer factors that promote optimal development and evaluations of preventive interventions for antisocial behavior. He is presently working on strategies to strengthen positive peer culture among elementary and middle school children. Data collection in these studies will make use of an ESM research lab that he is establishing. See less