PDP Group

The PDP Group, or Patterns of Developmental Pathways Group, was formed in 2004 with the goal of bringing the profound knowledge of the Enneagram to science through a developmental model. The group in alphabetical order includes Laura Baker, Ph.D. David Daniels, M.D., Denise Daniels, Ph.D. Jack Killen, M.D. and Daniel Siegel, M.D. Together the PDP Group spans the fields of the Enneagram, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Medicine. More specifically, the group has expertise in affective neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, transpersonal psychology, AI and data science, contemplative and mystical traditions, and mind-body-based practices including meditation, breath, and yoga. Laura A. Baker, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Southern California and a certified Iyengar yoga teacher (CIYT). She earned her BA in psychology from the University of Kansas and her MA and PhD from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she specialized in behavioral genetics and quantitative psychology. Her research focuses on gene-environment interactions in human behavior, and she directs the Southern California Twin Project at USC. Dr. Baker has authored over 125 scientific articles and book chapters in behavioral genetics and has received several awards for her contributions to the field. She teaches courses in behavioral genetics, human sexuality, and contemplative neuroscience. David N. Daniels, MD (1934–2017), was a renowned Enneagram teacher and clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University. He was the lead author of The Essential Enneagram and coauthor of The Enneagram, Relationships, and Intimacy. Dr. Daniels was a key figure in bringing scientific rigor and credibility to the Enneagram system, and he co-founded The Narrative Enneagram (TNE) training program, as well as the International Enneagram Association (IEA). Denise Daniels, PhD, is a developmental psychologist and Enneagram consultant. She has extensive experience working with the Enneagram in the context of parenting, child development, and workplace applications. Dr. Daniels holds degrees from UC Berkeley and the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has been a teacher in The Narrative Enneagram and has applied her knowledge to the fields of education and health technology. Jack Killen, MD, is a former deputy director at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he spent over 30 years leading multidisciplinary clinical research programs. He first encountered the Enneagram in 1996 and has since become a certified Enneagram teacher and coach. Dr. Killen's work spans the intersections of science, contemplative practices, and the Enneagram. Daniel J. Siegel, MD, is a clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA and the executive director of the Mindsight Institute. Dr. Siegel has authored numerous books, including five New York Times bestsellers, and has been a leader in the fields of mindfulness, attachment, and interpersonal neurobiology. He continues to be active in psychotherapy and mental health education.