Melina West is a postdoctoral research associate working on the ASD Long Term Outcomes Study (ALTOS). She completed her PhD at the University of Queensland, Australia, investigating emotion processing and language learning in relation to autism traits. Her research interests include social and emotional functioning of individuals with developmental conditions such as ASD and those with optimal outcomes. She also studies a condition known as maladaptive daydreaming, and is interested in the role of immersive mental experiences in mental health.

West, M. J., Somer, E., & Eigsti, I. M. (2022). Shared challenges and comorbidity of maladaptive daydreaming and autism spectrum disorders. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 7(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-022-00279-1

West, M. J., Somer, E., & Eigsti, I. M. (2023). Immersive and Maladaptive Daydreaming and Divergent Thinking in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 42(4), 372-398. https://doi.org/10.1177/02762366221129819