Navigation

Melissa C. Balderrama, PsyD

Pediatric Neuropsychologist; Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC

Dr. Melissa Balderrama joined the Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at CHLA after completing an APA-accredited pediatric neuropsychology internship at the Missouri Health Sciences Psychology Consortium and a two-year clinical neuropsychology fellowship at the Sports Concussion Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Her other training experiences include pediatric neuropsychology externships at CHOC Children's Hospital and City of Hope National Medical Center. Dr. Balderrama holds an appointment as Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.

Clinical Interests

Neuropsychological functioning of children, adolescents, and young adults with complex neurodevelopmental and medical presentations including cancer, blood diseases, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.

Education

Medical School

Azusa Pacific University

Internship

Missouri Health Sciences Psychology

Consortium - Pediatric Neuropsychology Track

Fellowship

Sports Concussion Institute

Accomplishments

Certifications

Licensed Psychologist (CA)

Professional Memberships

American Psychological Association (APA; Divisions 40, 53, and 54)
National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN)
Children's Oncology Group (COG)

Research

Dr. Balderrama's research interests include the neuropsychological sequelae of cancer and cancer-related treatment, sickle cell disease, and epilepsy as well as the impact of bilingualism on neuropsychological functioning.