Michael VanElzakker

Michael VanElzakker is a Lecturer in Psychology at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences. His research investigates the neurobiological mechanisms underlying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). VanElzakker employs multimodal approaches including functional and structural neuroimaging, behavioral tasks, and genetic analyses to understand these conditions.

For PTSD research, VanElzakker examines factors influencing vulnerability to trauma-related disorders and explores non-invasive electroceutical devices to enhance safety learning, potentially augmenting exposure-based therapies. His ME/CFS research focuses on neuroimmune interactions, investigating abnormal metabolic and inflammatory patterns in the brain that may underlie this complex condition. He explores vagus nerve stimulation as a potential therapeutic approach.

VanElzakker earned his Ph.D. in Experimental Clinical Psychology from Tufts University (2015), working with Dr. Lisa Shin, and completed a master's degree in Behavioral Neuroscience at University of Colorado, Boulder (2010). Following his doctorate, he completed postdoctoral training at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School's Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging in the Division of Neurotherapeutics. VanElzakker encourages undergraduate participation in his research program and maintains active collaborations with clinical institutions.