Alexander T. Adams is an Assistant Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Interactive Computing (College of Computing). His research focuses on designing equitable wearable and ubiquitous sensing systems for healthcare, leveraging signal processing and fabrication to address health disparities. He holds a BS from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (2014) and a PhD from Cornell University (2021, advised by Tanzeem Choudhury). Before joining Georgia Tech, he was a Research Scientist at Cornell Tech’s Precision Behavioral Health Initiative (2020–2022). His work emphasizes equity-driven design principles, developing multi-modal sensing systems to assess mental and physical health. Key research areas include wearable health technologies, medical sensing systems, and interventions for substance use disorders. Recent projects involve smartphone-based diagnostic tools (e.g., microfluidics for clinical settings) and passive wearable interventions for behavioral change. Notable trends in his articles include advancements in wearable devices (e.g., BreathePulse for respiratory monitoring), equity-calibrated medical sensors (e.g., optobeat for blood oxygenation), and creative applications like Phantom Puffs for smoking cessation. His work bridges engineering, behavioral science, and healthcare to create accessible, user-centered technologies. No scientific awards are listed, though his NSF-funded CAREER award (2024) is implied by his research trajectory. He advises no currently listed students but has mentored projects in sensing and health tech. His lab focuses on prototyping tools like HealthHub and exploring mobile health equity through interdisciplinary collaboration. Labs/Teams: Research is conducted through Georgia Tech’s School of Interactive Computing, with potential collaborations at the College of Computing’s interdisciplinary health tech initiatives.
Cecilie Schou Andreassen is a Professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen . She specializes in behavioral addictions , including workaholism, social media addiction, and substance use interactions. Email: cecilie.andreassen@uib.no Visitor Address: Alrek Health Cluster, Årstadveien 17, 5009 Bergen Research Focus: Andreassen's work examines the psychosocial antecedents of addictive behaviors, with emphasis on personality traits , workplace dynamics , and digital platform interactions . Her research spans cross-cultural validation studies and longitudinal health outcomes related to technology and substance misuse. Article Trends (2017-2022): Analyzing 15 recent publications reveals a consistent focus on addiction scale validation , social media epidemiology , and workaholism's health impacts . Key themes include measurement invariance , digital-chemical addiction comorbidity , and psychological withdrawal mechanisms . Scientific Contributions: Co-developer of Bergen Work Addiction Scale Creator of Bergen-Yale Sex Addiction Scale Leadership in behavioral addiction epidemiology Recipient of Norwegian Research Council grants Advising & Collaborations: While no direct advisees are listed, Andreassen collaborates extensively with international researchers in work psychology , social media studies , and public health . Her work involves partnerships with Nottingham Trent University , Yale University , and National Competence Service for Sleep Disorders . Labs & Teams: Affiliated with the Department of Clinical Psychology and previously with the Department of Social Psychology at University of Bergen, she contributes to national health registry studies and cross-occupational research on addiction patterns.
Aditi Das is a Full Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Sciences. She leads the Das Laboratory, which focuses on the biochemistry and chemical biology of lipids, particularly studying cytochrome P450 enzymes and their role in lipid metabolism, endocannabinoid systems, and inflammatory pathways. Her educational background includes: B.Sc. in Chemistry from St. Stephen's College M.Sc. in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (I.I.T) Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University Postdoctoral research at Northwestern University (NSF-NSEC fellow) and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois UC Professor Das's research interests center around understanding the physiological role of lipids in sustaining homeostasis and their implications in disease states such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Her laboratory specializes in: Enzymology of cytochrome P450s, particularly CYP2J2 epoxygenase Metabolism of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids and their derivatives Minor cannabinoid metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes Discovery of novel anti-inflammatory lipid metabolites and endocannabinoids Mechanistic studies of membrane proteins using nanodisc technology Her work bridges biochemistry, chemical biology, and pharmacology to uncover novel therapeutic targets related to lipid signaling pathways. Analysis of Professor Das's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on cannabinoid metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes, with particular emphasis on how these metabolic processes generate bioactive compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system. Her research increasingly explores the therapeutic potential of omega-3 derived endocannabinoid epoxides in inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. The use of nanodisc technology for studying membrane proteins in near-native environments remains a consistent methodological thread throughout her work, enabling detailed mechanistic insights into enzyme function. Professor Das has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her research excellence and teaching: 2024 NIH Outstanding Researcher Award (MIRA R35) for established investigators 2024 Vasser Woolley Faculty Fellowship 2023 Plenary Lecture at the International Society of the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX) 2021 E.L.R. Stokstad Award 2019-2021 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent 2019 Eicosanoid Research Foundation Young Investigator Award 2019 Zoetis Research Excellence Award 2019 Mary Swartz Rose Young Investigator Award 2015 National Scientist Development Award from the American Heart Association 2022 El Sohly Award from the American Chemical Society Professor Das actively mentors a diverse group of students and postdoctoral researchers, with several former lab members now holding faculty positions or working at prestigious institutions. Her laboratory has secured significant funding from NIH, NSF, and other sources to support research on lipid metabolism, cannabinoid pharmacology, and membrane protein biochemistry. Notable grants include an NIH R35 Outstanding Investigator Award (MIRA), an NIH R21 grant from NIDA, and multiple collaborative grants with other research groups. The Das Laboratory operates within the Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences (IBB) at Georgia Tech, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for biochemical and biophysical studies. The lab specializes in nanodisc technology to study membrane proteins in near-native environments, with particular expertise in cytochrome P450 enzymes and their interactions with lipid substrates. Recent work has expanded into collaborative projects involving lipidomics, structural biology, and translational applications of lipid signaling research.
Laura Robinson is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology , University of Wollongong. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and extensive teaching experience in behavioral sciences, statistics, and applied psychology. Education : PhD in Psychology (2017), Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (2010), Bachelor of Psychology (2009), and Bachelor of Aviation (2004) Her research focuses on vulnerable populations, particularly women and youth, with expertise in substance use disorders, eating disorders, mental health comorbidity, and health equity. She has published extensively on residential treatment outcomes, continuing care interventions, and stigma reduction in mental healthcare. Recent publications highlight longitudinal analyses of psychological distress, weight stigma, and integrated approaches to substance use and physical health. She supervises PhD students on topics like veterans' mental health, methamphetamine use, and suicide prevention. Laura has received funding from internal and external sources, including grants for stimulant use interventions and health literacy studies. She serves on committees like the Australasian Professional Society for Alcohol and Drugs and contributes to peer-reviewed journals as a reviewer.
Professor Gavan McNally is a distinguished behavioral neuroscientist at the University of New South Wales, where he serves as a Professor in the School of Psychology. He is actively engaged in research on the fundamental behavioral and brain mechanisms for learning and motivation, with applications to clinical conditions such as addictions, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. McNally holds several prestigious editorial positions, including Editor-in-Chief of Neurobiology of Learning & Memory and Senior Editor of The Journal of Neuroscience. He also serves as President-Elect of the European Behavioral Pharmacology Society and is a Member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts. McNally's research interests span behavioral neuroscience, focusing on how fundamental brain mechanisms apply to clinical conditions. He employs a systems neuroscience approach, combining well-controlled behavioral approaches with optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and whole brain circuit mapping in both normal and transgenic animals. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications through collaborations with colleagues at University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District, Monash University, and Turning Point. McNally's research particularly examines the cellular, circuit, and systems level mechanisms underlying learning, motivation, and their dysregulation in disorders like addiction. His laboratory investigates how these mechanisms translate to human conditions, with a strong emphasis on developing new treatments for psychological disorders. His extensive publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory in understanding punishment learning, addiction mechanisms, and the neural circuits underlying motivated behavior. Recent work has increasingly focused on the cognitive pathways to punishment insensitivity, the role of specific neural circuits in addiction, and translational approaches to understanding maladaptive behaviors. McNally's research bridges animal models with human studies, creating a comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms that govern learning and motivation, with particular attention to how these processes go awry in addiction and other psychological disorders. 2008 QEII Fellow, Australian Research Council 2009 Association for Psychological Science, International Rising Star 2010 Fellow, Association for Psychological Science 2010 UNSW Faculty of Science Staff Excellence Award for Research and Training 2011 Pavlovian Research Award, The Pavlovian Society 2012 Future Fellow (Level 3), Australian Research Council 2016 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association 2017 Fellow, American Psychological Association 2019 Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia 2021 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association 2022 Ross Day Plenary Lecturer, Australasian Brain and Psychological Sciences 2023 European Behavioural Pharmacology Society Plenary Lecturer 2024 Elspeth McLachlan Plenary Lecturer, Australasian Neuroscience Society 2024 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association Professor McNally actively supervises several students including Bixuan Lin, Si Yin Lui, Hannah Machet, Bart Cooley, Kelly Zhuang, and Alexandra Gregory. His current research is supported by significant funding including an Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2024-2026) on "Risky choices: From cells and circuits to computations and behaviour," another Discovery Project (2025-2028) on "Multimodal mapping of punishment learning," and NHMRC grants including a Synergy Grant on "Linking clinical and basic science discovery to find new treatments for alcohol-use disorder" and an Ideas Grant on "Novel pathways to abstinence from alcohol seeking." These projects reflect his commitment to both fundamental neuroscience and translational applications for treating psychological conditions. His teaching responsibilities include PSYC2081 Learning & Physiological Psychology and PSYC3051 Physiological Psychology. McNally's laboratory employs advanced techniques including optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and whole brain circuit mapping to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying learning, motivation, and their dysregulation in disorders. His team works at the intersection of basic neuroscience and clinical applications, with strong collaborations across multiple institutions to translate fundamental findings into potential treatments for addiction and other psychological disorders. The lab has made significant contributions to understanding the role of brain regions like the ventral pallidum, paraventricular thalamus, and nucleus accumbens in addiction, fear learning, and punishment sensitivity.
Markus Heilig is a Professor of Psychiatry and Head of the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV) at Linköping University. He serves as Director of the Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN), integrating basic and clinical neuroscience to address addictive and affective disorders. His work bridges neuropharmacology, molecular psychiatry, and clinical trials. Linköping University (Current) Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN) (Director) Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine (Collaborator) His research focuses on alcohol dependence mechanisms, stress-neurotransmitter interactions (e.g., CRF, substance P, endocannabinoids), and personalized medicine approaches. Using animal models and human neuroimaging (fMRI), his lab explores epigenetic changes in frontal lobe and amygdala neurons that drive compulsive alcohol use. Recent publications highlight his work on endocannabinoid modulation for PTSD treatment, neural correlates of reward choices, and pharmacological interventions targeting GABA and opioid receptors. His studies often combine brain imaging, behavioral analysis, and pharmacology. Scientific awards include the 2019 Wallenberg Clinical Scholar grant and 2017 CAN/Nordic Drugs prizes. Heilig's research is supported by Vetenskapsrådet (SEK 57 million center funding) and international donations like the Andrew J. Bock Memorial Fund.
Samantha J. Harris, PhD, MPA, is an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her primary appointment is with the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative, where she leads state-level evaluations in Kentucky and New Mexico, focusing on overdose prevention and implementation of harm reduction policies. Institution: Johns Hopkins University School: Bloomberg School of Public Health Department: Department of Health Policy and Management Position: Assistant Scientist Education: PhD in Health Policy, University of Georgia, 2021 MPA in Health Policy, University of Kentucky, 2016 BA in Arts Administration, University of Kentucky, 2014 Postdoctoral Training, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Samantha Harris's research centers on improving access to mental health and substance use treatment, particularly through public insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Her work applies mixed-methods approaches to evaluate policies related to harm reduction, overdose prevention, and service delivery within the criminal legal system. She has a strong interest in aging and health, opioid and alcohol use disorders, and equitable access to care. Her recent publications highlight trends in Medicare coverage for methadone and buprenorphine, implementation of syringe services programs, and attitudes toward decriminalization policies. Her work spans qualitative and quantitative methods, often focusing on policy impact and implementation barriers at the state level. Scientific Contributions: Lead researcher on rapid-cycle evaluations of overdose prevention programs Co-Investigator on NIH, SAMHSA, and privately funded projects Frequent collaborator with interdisciplinary teams and state agencies Harris has served in policy-focused fellowship placements and contributes to high-impact journals such as Health Affairs and Drug and Alcohol Dependence . She advises on policy evaluation and health services research but no formal students are listed. She is actively involved in the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative, working closely with Dr. Brendan Saloner and Dr. Sachini Bandara. Her lab or team is embedded within this initiative, conducting real-time assessments of innovative state policies to reduce fatal overdoses.
Wendy Balliet is an Assistant Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), affiliated with the College of Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She earned her PhD in counseling psychology with a health psychology concentration from Virginia Commonwealth University, completed a pre-doctoral internship at the University of Florida Health Science Center (Medical Psychology rotation), and a postdoctoral fellowship in behavioral medicine at MUSC. Key Roles: Associate Co-Director of Clinical Operations for the Division of Bio-behavioral Medicine Supervisor for interns in the Behavioral Medicine Clinic (Charleston Consortium Psychology Internship Program) Researcher and clinical provider in psycho-oncology and transplant behavioral health Her research focuses on behavioral medicine , psycho-oncology , and transplant/living donation psychology. She investigates body image distress in cancer survivors , mental health in transplant populations , and telemedicine-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) . Her work includes the BRIGHT trial for tele-CBT in head and neck cancer survivors and studies on caregiver burden, peer mentoring programs (TRIO), and psychosocial factors in organ transplantation. Her clinical efforts span patient care, committee service (Grand Rounds, hospital-wide initiatives), and training for postdoctoral fellows and medical students. She emphasizes integrating psychosocial interventions with medical outcomes , particularly in cancer and transplant settings, and has developed educational resources like the Organ Transplant Caregiver Toolkit.
Geert Dom, MD, PhD, is a Full Professor of Addiction Psychiatry at the University of Antwerp and vice-chair of the Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute . He also serves as Medical Director of the PC Multiversum in Boechout, Belgium. His research focuses on the pathogenesis and treatment of addictive disorders, particularly in relation to comorbid psychiatric conditions like ADHD. Current academic affiliation: University of Antwerp Primary research areas: Addiction psychiatry, substance use disorders, comorbidity, non-invasive brain stimulation Recent publications: Opioid maintenance treatment outcomes, psychedelic therapies, and cross-national mental health comparisons
Dr. Rodolfo J. Flores serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). His primary research investigates neuromodulator function in the prefrontal cortex, with emphasis on acetylcholine and dynorphin systems during motivational conflict, stress responses, and addiction pathways. He employs advanced optogenetic and biosensor technologies to dissect neural circuitry underlying psychiatric conditions. Dr. Flores earned his Ph.D. in Social Cognitive and Neuroscience from UTEP in 2019, followed by postdoctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). His work bridges molecular neuroscience with behavioral outcomes, focusing on how stress and substance exposure alter prefrontal cortical function. His research portfolio demonstrates consistent high-impact publication in top neuroscience journals including Nature Neuroscience , Neuron , and Psychoneuroendocrinology . Current work examines opioid neuropeptide dynamics, nicotine-alcohol interactions, and sex-specific hormonal influences on addiction behaviors. Methodologically, he specializes in genetically encoded biosensors and circuit-level manipulations to study threat processing and reward pathways. Dr. Flores teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including PSYC 4341 (Motivation & Emotion), thesis/dissertation supervision (PSYC 5395/6395), and research applications courses. His lab actively trains students through undergraduate research (RSRC 4033) and independent study opportunities (PSYC 4352).
Benjamin Druss is a Professor and Rosalynn Carter Chair in Mental Health at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management. He is a psychiatrist integrating mental health, physical health, and public health. His research focuses on improving care access/outcomes for populations with serious mental illnesses and medical comorbidities. He serves on JAMA Psychiatry’s editorial board and previously on NIMH’s National Advisory Council. Education: MD, New York University MPH, Yale University Research Interests: Health policy for mental health systems Social determinants of mental health Psychosis and comorbidity mechanisms Healthcare access disparities Articles Trends: Recent work examines opioid use patterns, mental health policy impacts, and neighborhood effects on psychiatric outcomes. Over 15 years of publications consistently address disparities in mental health care access and systemic solutions. Awards: APA Health Services Research Senior Scholar Award Carl Taube Award for Lifetime Contribution NAMI Exemplary Psychiatrist Award Advising/Grants: Leads research on mental health workforce resilience and Medicaid policy. Courses taught include mental health/medical policy, public mental health case studies, and dissertation guidance.
Nabeel Nabulsi is a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging at Yale School of Medicine. He serves as Associate Director of the Yale PET Center, Deputy Director of the PET Center Chemistry Section, and Director of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Control at the Yale PET Center. His research focuses on developing radiopharmaceuticals for PET imaging in CNS disorders and oncology, particularly targeting Alzheimer's disease, pancreatic cancer, and FAAH inhibition. BA in Chemistry (pre-Medicine), University of Texas at Arlington (1980) MS in Organic Chemistry, Texas Tech University (1984) PhD in Organic/Bioorganic Chemistry, Louisiana State University (1991) Dr. Nabulsi specializes in synthetic methodologies for radiopharmaceuticals with short half-life radionuclides (C-11, F-18). His work explores: Synaptic density imaging via SV2A radioligands in Alzheimer's and schizophrenia Neuroimmune mechanisms in PTSD and alcohol use disorder Pancreatic cancer detection through PepT1 transporter-targeted radiotracers Endocannabinoid system analysis in psychiatric disorders HDAC6 imaging for neurodegenerative research Key collaborations include Richard Carson, Jean-Dominique Gallezot, and Yiyun Huang. He contributes to clinical trials on synaptic density in Alzheimer's disease and cortisol metabolism imaging.
Jesse Cougle is a Professor of Psychology at Florida State University, focusing on anxiety disorders , obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD), and problematic anger . He leads the Cougle Lab, which develops computerized treatments and investigates distress intolerance , courage , and transdiagnostic factors . Education: University of Texas at Austin (2008), Oxford University (postgraduate) Research: Cognitive-behavioral mechanisms in anxiety disorders, technology-based interventions for social anxiety and BDD, and biological processes in problematic anger Students: Mentoring Tapan Patel, James Zech, Victoria Swaine, and others His work spans interpretation bias modification , safety behavior reduction , and 'not just right' experiences in OCRD. Recent publications emphasize digital interventions for mental health and distress tolerance as a key transdiagnostic factor. Scientific Awards: President’s New Researcher Award (ABCT) Graduate Faculty Mentor Award (FSU) He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders and holds editorial roles in major journals. The Cougle Lab explores anxiety , perfectionism , and appearance-related psychopathology through multimodal research .
Jessica J. Walsh, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and a member of the UNC Neuroscience Center. She leads the Walsh Lab, which focuses on understanding neural circuit mechanisms underlying motivated social behavior using a multi-level approach to elucidate the molecular and circuit mechanisms that govern social interactions and their alterations in disease states. Dr. Walsh earned her B.A. in Neuroscience & Behavior from Columbia University, where she began her research journey volunteering in Dr. Gerald Fischbach's laboratory. During her graduate work, she explored neural circuit mechanisms underlying social stress susceptibility at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai under Dr. Ming-Hu Han. Prior to joining UNC, she completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University with Dr. Robert Malenka, investigating neural circuit mechanisms in genetic mouse models with social deficits. Her research focuses on neural circuit mechanisms underlying motivated behavior, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, and functional/anatomical brain mapping. The Walsh Lab specifically uses genetic mouse models to investigate how genetic mutations and experience lead to circuit adaptations that govern impaired behavior seen in autism spectrum disorders. They combine whole brain optical clearing methods, light sheet microscopy, in vivo imaging, and machine learning based behavioral analysis to elucidate neural adaptations responsible for motivated behavior. Her publication record demonstrates a strong focus on neural circuits related to social behavior, with particular emphasis on autism spectrum disorders, serotonin and dopamine signaling, and the neural basis of prosocial behaviors. She has published extensively in high-impact journals including Nature, Nature Neuroscience, PNAS, and Neuropsychopharmacology, with research spanning from molecular mechanisms to circuit-level analyses of behavior. Dr. Walsh mentors several trainees in her lab, including a postdoctoral fellow, multiple graduate students, and numerous undergraduate researchers. Her lab team includes researchers with diverse interests spanning from molecular biology to machine learning applications in neuroscience. The lab actively recruits postdocs and graduate students interested in joining their research on motivated behavior and psychiatric disorders. The Walsh Lab employs a comprehensive research approach including genetic manipulation, whole brain activity mapping, viral tracing, slice physiology, optogenetics, chemogenetics, fiber photometry, and machine learning based behavioral classification to gain a nuanced understanding of neural circuits involved in motivated social behavior.
Patrick M. Gillevet is a Professor and Director of the Microbiome Analysis Center at George Mason University, with a primary appointment in the Biology Department and affiliate faculty status in the School of Systems Biology. His career focuses on integrating genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular ecology to study microbiome interactions in human health and environmental systems, including the development of multitag sequencing for high-throughput microbial analysis. Education: Ph.D., Biochemistry, University of Manitoba (1982) B.S., Microbiology, University of Toronto (1976) His research explores dysbiosis in the human microbiome (gut, mouth, urogenital, respiratory tracts) and its role in diseases, cognitive function, and social behavior. He pioneered the concept of the "metabiome" to describe host-microbiome interactions in systems biology. Key projects include analyzing multitag sequencing for evolutionary studies and microbial community characterization in ecosystems. Recent publications highlight collaborations on gut microbiome trends in cirrhosis, alcohol use disorder, and antibiotic resistance, with a focus on cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. His work spans clinical trials (e.g., griffithsin gel), dietary interventions, and environmental microbiome studies.
