Julia Chen, PhD

I’m a pediatric neuropsychologist. This is a type of doctor who is an expert in the brain and its relationships with a person’s behavior. 

I work with children, teens, and young adults. I see patients at Memorial Hospital, which is Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer’s main hospital, and the Rockefeller Outpatient Pavilion in New York City.

I help patients and families understand how a child thinks and behaves, and how it is related to brain development. Cancer and its treatments can sometimes affect how the brain works. This includes how a child learns, remembers, pays attention, stays organized, or manages emotions. These changes can affect school performance and behaviors at home.

I support children and their families during cancer treatment, and in the long term as they continue to grow. Some common questions that patients and families ask me are:

• Why am I or my child having a harder time learning, paying attention, or following instructions than before?
• What does my child’s school need to know about how my child learns and feels, and how can they support my child?
• What are my child’s strengths, and how can we build on them at home, in school, and with friends?
• What challenges should we look out for over time, and how can we plan for future needs?

I help answer these questions through a neuropsychological evaluation. This involves a set of activities that include puzzles, questions, and school-like tasks to understand how a child’s brain works. I then turn what I learn into practical recommendations for patients, families, doctors, and schools.

Depending on the child’s needs, recommendations may include accommodations in school or therapies outside of school. For example, extra time on exams or therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or psychotherapy.

Before joining MSK, I led pediatric services at Northwell Health’s Center for Neuropsychological Services. I’ve worked with patients who have many different complex medical conditions, including patients facing cancer. Some of my research has focused on helping children with severe brain injuries. My experience helps me meet families where they are and serve as their advocate.

I am committed to helping families get the care they need. I work closely with other doctors to help patients connect with our services when they need them most. My recent research and leadership in professional organizations focus on improving care for underserved communities.

I also care deeply about mentoring and training future neuropsychologists. I am a proud New York City native, and value serving families from diverse backgrounds.