This paper is Mani Pavuluri's contribution to The Balanced Mind Foundation's series, Translation of the Scientific Evolution of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder.  The series presents the leading researchers' contribution to the field.  It describes the programmatic approach and direction of the labs, the seminal questions which drive their research, a listing of their most important findings and a summary of how their work impacts the field.  As chair of the The Balanced Mind Foundation Scientific Advisory Council from 2008-2010, Dr. Pavuluri created this series and inspired her colleagues to contribute so that parents and clinicians could gain a better understanding of evolution of the field and how the study of child onset bipolar disorder fits into the larger field of child psychiatry.  The Balanced Mind Foundation is extremely grateful for Dr. Pavuluri's leadership.