Natalie Hundt

Natalie Hundt, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor with Tenure in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. She also serves as a Psychologist at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Education Director at VA IQuESt, and Fellowship Director at SC MIRECC. Dr. Hundt's work focuses on improving mental health care for veterans, with particular expertise in PTSD, OCD, and the implementation of evidence-based practices in real-world settings.

Dr. Hundt earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2011 and is licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (#36297). Her academic journey has led her to become a prominent researcher in veteran mental health services.

Dr. Hundt's research spans multiple critical areas in mental health care for veterans. Her work focuses on implementation science, particularly examining how evidence-based mental health treatments can be effectively integrated into routine care. She has substantial expertise in PTSD and OCD treatment, with numerous publications addressing diagnostic accuracy, treatment barriers, and innovative approaches to care delivery. A significant portion of her research addresses health disparities, particularly examining rural-urban differences in mental health access and the intersection of mental health with social determinants like food and housing insecurity. She also investigates the relationship between mental health conditions and chronic medical problems such as diabetes, developing integrated approaches to address comorbid conditions.

Analysis of Dr. Hundt's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on implementation science and mental health services research. Her work frequently examines barriers to evidence-based care implementation, with a particular focus on the FLOW program designed to improve mental health access. She has published extensively on PTSD and OCD, addressing diagnostic challenges, treatment adaptations, and provider training needs. A growing area of her research investigates the impact of social determinants of health on mental health outcomes, particularly food and housing insecurity among veterans with medical conditions like diabetes. Her methodological approach combines quantitative analysis of large datasets with qualitative exploration of patient and provider experiences.

• SC MIRECC Excellence in Educational Leadership Award
• Norton Rose Fulbright Faculty Excellence Award for Enduring Educational Materials
• IQuest Early Career Faculty Research Award
• Norton Rose Fulbright Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching and Evaluation

Dr. Hundt has secured significant research funding from the Veterans Affairs system, including a VA HSR&D Career Development Award (2015-2020) and current projects evaluating the implementation of FLOW in VISN 19 (2019-2022) and developing exposure and response prevention for veterans with OCD (2022-2026). Her research program demonstrates a strong commitment to bridging the gap between research and practice in veteran mental health care.

As Fellowship Director for SC MIRECC and Education Director for VA IQuESt, Dr. Hundt plays a key role in training the next generation of mental health professionals working with veterans. Her leadership in these educational programs reflects her commitment to improving the quality of mental health care through workforce development.