Rachel Yehuda

Rachel Yehuda, PhD, is a Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, holding dual academic appointments. She serves as Vice Chair for Veterans Affairs in Psychiatry, focusing on trauma-related mental health research. Her work is funded by agencies including the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Department of Defense (DoD), and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Her research investigates stress response biology, PTSD mechanisms, and innovative treatments like ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapies. Notable contributions include discovering cortisol-noradrenaline dysregulation in PTSD and epigenetic modifications in trauma survivors. She explores intergenerational trauma effects, molecular biomarkers, and military veteran health disparities.

Dr. Yehuda’s studies span genomic studies (e.g., PTSD GWAS), neuroendocrine pathways, and clinical trials evaluating novel therapeutic agents. She leads VA-affiliated research teams and has published over 448 peer-reviewed articles. Her work bridges basic science and clinical practice, emphasizing translational research to improve PTSD prevention and treatment.

Key grants include studies on hydrocortisone’s role in acute stress prevention and MDMA-assisted therapy efficacy. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to address veteran mental health challenges through telehealth, horticultural therapy, and community health frameworks.

Labs affiliated with her work include VA PTSD research programs focusing on biomarker discovery and trauma resilience. Her research highlights the biological underpinnings of trauma, informing personalized interventions and systemic healthcare improvements for vulnerable populations.