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
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
Aaron J. Chalfin serves as Associate Professor and Graduate Chair of Criminology within the Department of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania's College of Liberal and Professional Studies. He maintains significant external affiliations as a Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center, faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and research affiliate at the University of Chicago Crime Lab. His academic foundation includes: PhD in Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley (2013) MA in International and Development Economics, Yale University (2004) BS in Industrial & Labor Relations, Cornell University (2003) Chalfin's research program centers on policing economics, officer behavioral preferences, place-based crime prevention strategies, and victimization determinants. He concurrently advances methodological rigor in social science through innovations in measurement error correction, spatial crime concentration metrics, and administrative data linkage techniques. His empirical approach consistently bridges theoretical criminology with practical policy evaluation. Recent publications reveal evolving research trajectories across bias-motivated violence measurement during pandemics, low-cost gun violence interventions, racial disparities in traffic fatalities, and methodological improvements for policy analysis. This body of work demonstrates sustained commitment to evidence-based criminal justice solutions through experimental and quasi-experimental designs. His ongoing collaboration with the University of Chicago Crime Lab exemplifies integration between academic research and real-world crime laboratory operations, focusing on scalable public safety innovations.
Dr. Oye Gureje is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Ibadan , Nigeria, and a leading figure in global mental health research. He serves at the Faculty of Health Sciences and collaborates internationally through institutions like the World Health Organization and Stellenbosch University. Research Focus: His work bridges psychiatric epidemiology, cultural psychiatry, and public health policy, with emphasis on low- and middle-income countries. Key areas include: Antidepressant discontinuation and treatment gaps Bipolar and anxiety disorders Substance use and perinatal depression Digital mental health interventions Global health equity frameworks Impact of pandemics on mental health professionals Funding & Collaborations: His research has been supported by: National Institute of Mental Health Wellcome Trust European Commission (Horizon 2020) Fogarty International Center Medical Research Council
Kris Baetens is a Professor in the Department of Psychology Brain, Body and Cognition at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). His research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying social cognition, mentalization, and inhibitory control, particularly exploring the role of the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex in these processes. He employs techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), EEG, and fMRI to investigate cognitive and clinical phenomena. Leading projects like ANI423 (neural correlates of inhibitory control in adolescents) and FWOAL1160 (cerebellum's role in social cognition). Recipient of the EUTOPIA Young Leaders Academy fellowship (2024-2026). Active collaborations in the PRISM network for mental health research. Key research interests include: - Cerebellar contributions to cognitive and social functions - Neurostimulation techniques for mental health interventions - Mentalizing processes in social action prediction - Personality and learning mechanisms His articles consistently analyze the interplay between neural structures like the cerebellum and behavioral outcomes in clinical and cognitive contexts. Recent work emphasizes applications of tDCS in treating alcohol use disorders and disordered eating, highlighting translational research in non-invasive brain stimulation. Advising/Grants: Supervises student research projects and manages grants from FWO and OZR agencies. Labs/Teams: Core member of the PRISM network and involved in the EUTOPIA fellowship initiative.
Jennifer Mitchell, PhD is a Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. She serves as the Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. Dr. Mitchell is affiliated with the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and is a member of both the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics and the UCSF Neuroscape Psychedelics Division. Dr. Mitchell's research focuses on identifying and developing novel therapeutics for drug and alcohol abuse, PTSD, stress, anxiety, impulsivity, and depression. Her work examines the neural mechanisms responsible for these disorders through translational neuroscience research that bridges psychology, behavioral pharmacology, and neuroanatomy. She has made significant contributions to the field of psychedelic therapeutics, particularly in developing MDMA for PTSD treatment and psilocybin for demoralization and depression. Dr. Mitchell's research portfolio demonstrates a strong emphasis on human and animal pharmacology, hypothesis-driven neuroscience, human proof-of-concept studies, translational models, and clinical trials. Her work on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD has reached phase 3 clinical trial status, representing a significant advancement in the field. Her recent publications show a consistent focus on psychedelic therapeutics, with particular attention to MDMA for PTSD treatment, but also extending to policy considerations, cost-effectiveness analyses, and the broader application of psychedelic compounds for various psychiatric conditions. Dr. Mitchell has received multiple DoD grants for the Institute for Translational Neuroscience from 2007 through 2014, demonstrating sustained funding support for her research program. Her work has been published in high-impact journals including Nature Medicine, Neuropsychopharmacology, and JAMA Neurology. As an advisor and mentor, Dr. Mitchell has contributed to the training of numerous researchers in the field of neuroscience and psychedelic therapeutics. Her laboratory work combines behavioral pharmacology with neuroimaging techniques to understand the mechanisms underlying addiction and stress-related disorders.
Ashley Bradford is an Assistant Professor at the School of Public Policy within Georgia Tech's Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. Her research focuses on the economics of risky behaviors, substance use, and the impact of public policies on health outcomes in the U.S., particularly examining drug policy innovations and housing policy intersections. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Affairs from Indiana University, an MPA from the University of Georgia, and a B.A. in Sociology from the same institution. Her work bridges policy analysis and health economics, with recent studies addressing opioid reformulations, cannabis legalization effects on mental health treatment, and the interplay between evictions and healthcare outcomes. Her research has been published in high-impact journals such as Health Affairs and JAMA Internal Medicine , and featured in major media outlets like The New York Times and Forbes . Bradford joined Georgia Tech in 2023, continuing her focus on policy interventions to address systemic issues in healthcare access, addiction treatment, and housing stability. Her interdisciplinary approach combines rigorous quantitative analysis with real-world policy applications.
Kristen Pleil is an Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, affiliated with the Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience. She serves as Co-director of the NIGMS-sponsored Training in Pharmacological Sciences (TIPS) predoctoral T32 program. Academic Appointments: Assistant Professor (2016), Associate Professor (2021) Education: BA in Psychology (Emory University, 2005), PhD in Neuroscience (Duke University, 2010), Postdoc at University of North Carolina School of Medicine Research Focus: The Pleil lab investigates how sex and stress hormones regulate alcohol/substance use, stress responsivity, and affective behavior through neuropeptidergic brain circuits and hormone-neuropeptide signaling. Key projects include estrogen's role in alcohol drinking and anxiety, opioid receptor signaling in reward/aversion learning, and sex-dependent thalamic control of stress responses. The lab uses in vivo and ex vivo mouse models to study synaptic/epigenetic plasticity across developmental stages. Publications Trends: Her work spans molecular pharmacology, neurophysiology, and addiction research with a focus on sex differences in neuropsychiatric diseases. Articles cover topics like estrogen signaling in binge drinking, opioid-context memory, thalamic circuits in stress response, and optogenetic tools for receptor imaging. Scientific Awards: President’s Young Investigator Award, ISBRA (2013) Elizabeth Young New Investigator Award, OSSD (2015) K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, NIAAA (2015) Kellen Foundation Junior Faculty Fellowship (2016) NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2017) Early Career Investigator Award, NIDA-NIAAA (2017) Training and Collaborations: As Co-director of the TIPS T32 program, she mentors graduate students in pharmacological sciences. Her collaborations include researchers at UNC, Duke, and Weill Cornell, with grants from NIAAA, NIMH, and NIGMS.
Nicole M. Cameron is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Binghamton University. Her research focuses on how early environmental conditions, particularly maternal care, influence developmental, physiological, and behavioral outcomes in mammals. She employs diverse methodologies including behavioral testing, cellular biology techniques (immunohistology, Western blotting, qRT-PCR, DNA methylation), pharmacology (drug infusion), and physiological analyses (EIA, brain microdialysis). Her work addresses the causal role of parental care in offspring development, including reproductive health, mood disorders, and alcohol-related behaviors. Education : PhD in Psychology, Boston University BS in Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal Research Interests : Effects of early life stressors on neuroendocrine systems Evolutionary mechanisms linking parental behavior to offspring physiology Neurobiological underpinnings of anxiety and depression-like behaviors Maternal care's impact on alcohol use vulnerability Dr. Cameron’s lab integrates multidisciplinary approaches to understand transgenerational effects of caregiving, emphasizing translational implications for human health. No specific grants or awards are listed in the provided text.
Theodore C Bania, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, holding multiple leadership roles including Associate Dean for Human Subjects Research Protection, IRB Chair, and Director of Medical Toxicology at Mount Sinai West and Morningside. He specializes in emergency medicine and medical toxicology, with a focus on lipid resuscitation therapy for drug toxicity and HIV education via mobile devices. Education: MD from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, fellowship in Medical Toxicology at NYU, and a Master of Science in Clinical Research from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Research interests include cardiovascular drug toxicity, chemical warfare agents, substance abuse education, and research ethics. His work has led to advancements in lipid therapy models and HIV/HCV education strategies. He has received NIH/NIDA grants and holds the 2010 Super Doctor award. He oversees over 25 years of research at Mount Sinai’s emergency departments and chairs institutional review boards. His publications span toxicology, bioethics, and clinical practices.
Dr. Alexis Garcia is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Florida International University with a specialty in child and adolescent psychology. Her postdoctoral training included a National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) fellowship focusing on adolescent alcohol use. Dr. Garcia is affiliated with MUSC's College of Medicine and actively participates in the MUSC Youth Collaborative, focusing on self-regulation mechanisms related to substance use in adolescents, particularly those with ADHD and emotion dysregulation challenges. Education & Professional Background: PhD in Clinical Psychology, Florida International University Predoc Internship: MUSC Child Track NIAAA Postdoctoral Fellowship (Adolescent Alcohol Use Research) Research Interests: Her work examines emotion dysfunction in ADHD-affected adolescents and its link to risk-taking behaviors like substance use. She also investigates racial disparities in school disciplinary actions, family violence reporting discrepancies, and early intervention strategies for behavioral disorders. Methodologically, she employs multimodal assessments and longitudinal studies like the ABCD project. Professional Contributions: As a mentor, she guides psychology interns and psychiatry fellows at MUSC. Her research has explored fidget spinner efficacy for ADHD symptom management in classrooms, the role of parental monitoring in alcohol experimentation, and neurobehavioral vulnerability markers for substance misuse. She collaborates on large-scale projects such as the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Labs/Teams: Active member of the MUSC Youth Collaborative, contributing to interdisciplinary studies on youth mental health and developmental psychopathology.
