Ashli Owen-Smith is a behavioral scientist affiliated with the School of Public Health at Georgia State University , where her research focuses on mental health disparities, suicide prevention, and integrative/complementary approaches for complex mental-physical health conditions. She works with underserved populations including refugees/immigrants, incarcerated individuals, and LGBTQ+ communities through community-based participatory research and mixed-methods frameworks. Her current projects are funded by CDC , DBHDD , and DPH . Education: Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences (Emory, 2009), S.M. in Public Health (Harvard, 2005), B.A. in Psychology (Smith College, 2001) Her research spans mental health , trauma , suicide prevention , and mindfulness-based interventions . Recent work examines telehealth adaptations for chronic pain and mental health, vaccine hesitancy in refugee communities, and social determinants of suicide . She leads studies on gender-affirming care and health disparities in LGBTQ+ populations. Key article trends include epidemiological analysis of suicide risk factors, COVID-19 impacts on mental health, ICD-10 coding for autism, and complementary medicine in trauma recovery. Subfields span telehealth , health equity , mental-physical comorbidity , and community engagement . Students she has mentored include C.A. Scarlett , T. Griner , and M.M. Sesay . Her work integrates public health policy , clinical research , and health systems analysis .
Professor Guy Williams is a leading academic at the University of Cambridge with a focus on imaging science and clinical neurosciences, affiliated with Downing College and the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre . Holding a PhD in Physics from his initial Natural Sciences degree, he specializes in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MRI techniques for brain imaging. Education: BA, PhD in Physics His research centers on non-invasive imaging of brain structure and function, particularly in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and dementia. His work involves developing novel MRI pulse sequences and advanced data analysis algorithms, including AI-based diagnostic tools. He leads studies on white matter integrity post-trauma, longitudinal dementia assessment, and applications of MRI in disorders of consciousness and addiction. Recent publications highlight collaborations in traumatic brain injury outcomes, AI-guided dementia prediction, and neuroimaging of post-COVID cognitive deficits. His team's work on ultra-high field laminar fMRI and distortion correction methods has advanced clinical neuroscience applications. Key techniques include diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), 7 Tesla MRI, and positron emission tomography (PET/MR). His research spans from basic NMR physics to clinical translation, with a strong emphasis on multi-site studies and real-world diagnostic implementation.
Christina Frances Tolbert, MD, serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Medicine. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Middlebury College (2005) Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine (2013) Residency at Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine (2016) Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine (2018) Dr. Tolbert specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry with concentrated expertise in trauma exposure, PTSD, and addressing economic and racial diversity in youth populations. Her clinical work spans the MUSC telepsychiatry program for adult and child patients alongside specialized treatment for severe behavioral disturbances at the Children's Day Treatment Program in North Charleston. During her fellowship (2016-2018), she gained significant experience at the National Crime Victims Research & Treatment Center. Her professional recognition includes: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Pilot Research Award (supported by Pfizer, Inc.) Dr. Tolbert maintains active clinical engagement through telepsychiatry services and specialized day treatment programs, demonstrating commitment to accessible psychiatric care for diverse populations with complex behavioral health needs.
Dr. Steven A. Miller is a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, within the College of Health Professions. He joined RFUMS in 2013 and serves as a statistics consultant for the university. His academic background includes a PhD in Social Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, an M.S. in Psychology from Illinois State University with specialization in Clinical Psychology, and an M.S. in Mathematics from Loyola University Chicago with specialization in Probability and Statistics. PhD in Social Psychology, Loyola University Chicago M.S. in Psychology, Illinois State University (Clinical Psychology specialization) M.S. in Mathematics, Loyola University Chicago (Probability and Statistics specialization) Dr. Miller's research focuses on the intricate relationship between personality characteristics/individual differences and emotional experiences. He investigates anxiety and emotional disorders, social cognitive models of personality, and applies quantitative methodology to psychological questions. His work examines intra-individual variability in emotional responses and how situational factors interact with personality to shape emotional experiences. He employs diverse methodologies including experience sampling studies and laboratory experiments to explore these complex dynamics. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on psychopathy, emotion regulation, network analysis of personality, and the tripartite model of anxiety and depression. His work spans clinical, forensic, and general populations, often employing sophisticated statistical techniques. There's a clear trajectory toward more complex modeling approaches including network analysis, longitudinal modeling, and advanced psychometric techniques across his publication history. Accredited Professional Statistician (PStat®) with the American Statistical Association Chartered Statistician (CStat) with the Royal Statistical Society Dr. Miller actively mentors graduate students, with numerous student co-authors appearing in his publications. He teaches advanced statistical courses including multivariate statistics, longitudinal models, and categorical data analysis. He is currently accepting doctoral students for the 2026/2027 academic year. His collaborative research spans multiple institutions including DePaul University and Texas A&M, focusing on emerging adults, romantic relationships, and chronic illness. His research laboratory examines the fundamental relationship between personality and emotion, exploring how situational contingencies and individual expectancies shape emotional responses. Current collaborative projects investigate daily experiences of emerging adults, psychopathy in romantic relationships, and social media use among individuals with chronic illness using diverse methodological approaches.
Dr. Eiko Fried is an Associate Professor at Leiden University's Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, where he works at the intersection of clinical psychology, psychiatry, epidemiology, methodology, and complexity science. His research focuses on improving psychological science through open science practices and innovative measurement approaches. PhD in clinical psychology, Free University of Berlin Postdoctoral training at KU Leuven and University of Amsterdam Promoted to Associate Professor at Leiden University in 2021 Key research areas include: Psychopathology measurement and classification Network analysis in mental health research Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology Open science advocacy and implementation Dynamic systems modeling in psychology Transdiagnostic approaches to mental disorders Recent publications demonstrate expertise in: Symptom network analysis across disorders Improving depression measurement standards Transdiagnostic assessment protocols Mental health data integration challenges Psychological theory construction Methodological innovations in clinical research
Elizabeth Phelps is the Pershing Square Professor of Human Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She directs the Phelps Lab, which investigates how emotions influence learning, memory, and decision-making using multidisciplinary approaches including behavioral studies, neuroimaging (fMRI), physiological measurements, and computational modeling. The lab collaborates widely across psychology, neuroscience, economics, and clinical disciplines. Her research examines: Human neuroscience of affect and cognition interactions Emotional modulation of learning and memory systems Neural mechanisms of decision-making under uncertainty Impact of emotion on social cognition and behavior Translational applications for psychological disorders Contact information: Email: phelps@fas.harvard.edu Lab email: phelpslab@fas.harvard.edu Address: Northwest Lab Building, 52 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 The lab welcomes study participants and research assistant applicants, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in research.
Matt Nassar is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Assistant Professor of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences at Brown University. He leads the Learning, Memory and Decision Lab, which is part of the Department of Neuroscience and the Robert J. & Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science. His research focuses on understanding how the brain flexibly processes information to achieve complex and adaptive behaviors through computational approaches that bridge cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Education: PhD, University of Pennsylvania (2012) BA, Colgate University (2004) Nassar's research examines how different cognitive systems—learning, memory, and perception—leverage common computational principles to optimize decision-making. His work particularly focuses on how the brain balances stability and flexibility in processing information, how uncertainty is represented and utilized in learning, and how neural computations underlie complex behaviors. Through computational modeling and empirical research, he investigates how modular information-processing systems impact decisions and complex behavior in dynamic environments. His research integrates methods from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computational modeling to address fundamental questions about human cognition. Analysis of Nassar's recent publications (2020-2024) reveals a strong focus on computational neuroscience applied to decision-making, learning, and psychiatric conditions. His work frequently employs Bayesian modeling approaches to understand belief updating, uncertainty processing, and structure learning. Key themes include the neural basis of flexibility in learning, computational mechanisms underlying psychiatric symptoms, and age-related changes in cognitive processing. His research bridges cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computational modeling to provide insights into both healthy cognition and disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. Scientific Contributions: Developed computational models of belief updating and learning under uncertainty Investigated neural mechanisms of stability-flexibility tradeoffs in cognition Examined age-related differences in learning and memory processes Explored computational mechanisms underlying psychiatric conditions Studied the role of noise correlations in neural learning systems Investigated how prefrontal cortex representations shape decision processes Nassar actively mentors researchers in his lab, with recent announcements highlighting postdocs joining from prestigious institutions like Max Planck UCL and Freie Universität Berlin. His lab appears to receive significant research funding, supporting multiple postdoctoral positions and research projects. Collaborations span multiple departments at Brown University, particularly with researchers in Cognitive and Psychological Sciences, Neurology, and Psychiatry. The lab has produced numerous high-impact publications in top journals including Nature Human Behaviour, Brain, and eLife. The Learning, Memory and Decision Lab, led by Nassar, is an active research group that uses computational models to understand how the brain represents and stores information for effective decision making. Recent lab announcements (as of February 2025) indicate the lab is expanding with new postdoctoral researchers joining from Harvard, Max Planck UCL, and Freie Universität Berlin, suggesting strong research momentum and funding support. The lab appears to be well-integrated within Brown's neuroscience community, with collaborations spanning multiple departments and research centers.
Professor Anke Ehlers is a leading academic in experimental psychopathology at the University of Oxford, affiliated with Wolfson College. As Co-Director of the Oxford Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (OxCADAT), her work focuses on anxiety disorders and PTSD, emphasizing cognitive mechanisms and evidence-based treatments. Her research has led to the development of a widely adopted cognitive therapy for PTSD, endorsed by NICE and international guidelines. Her academic credentials include a Dipl-Psych, PhD, and habilitation. She holds prestigious awards such as the APA's Distinguished Scientific Contributions Award (2014) and the ISTSS Lifetime Achievement Award (2022). She is a Supernumerary Fellow of Wolfson College and a Fellow of multiple academies, including the British Academy and the Academy of Medical Sciences. Recent research explores efficient PTSD treatment delivery, psychological mechanisms of therapy, and complex PTSD. Key studies include randomized controlled trials of online therapy for youth PTSD and blended trauma-focused CBT. Her work bridges clinical practice and neuroscience, investigating brain network dynamics in PTSD recovery. Research Groups: Anxiety and Trauma (OxCADAT) Awards: Includes Wilhelm Wundt-William James Award and multiple fellowship recognitions. Her contributions span clinical innovation, dissemination of evidence-based therapies, and foundational research on trauma’s psychological impact. Ongoing projects aim to optimize treatment accessibility and understand dissociative experiences in psychosis.
Brendan E. Depue, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Endowed Chair of Behavioral Brain Imaging and Neurobiology in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Louisville. He also serves as an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology. His research focuses on the neuroanatomical substrates of inhibitory and cognitive control, particularly within the prefrontal cortex (PFC), using neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI and structural MRI. Depue’s work explores emotional memory regulation, PTSD, anxiety, and decision-making processes. Depue earned his Ph.D. in 2009 from the University of Colorado at Boulder. His lab, the (N)euro(I)maging (L)aboratory of (C)ognitive, (A)ffective and (M)otoric Processes (NILCAMP), investigates how brain networks regulate cognitive, emotional, and motor functions. His research has identified key neural correlates of memory suppression in PTSD, structural covariance differences in depression, and gender-specific neural connectivity during emotion regulation. Recent publications highlight his exploration of fear learning mechanisms, neural networks underlying interoceptive awareness, and the translational potential of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in anxiety research. Depue’s interdisciplinary approach integrates clinical neuroscience with advanced imaging methodologies to address complex mental health challenges.
Sarah Lowe, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Yale School of Public Health, with secondary appointments in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Nursing. She is also affiliated with the Yale Institute for Global Health, Yale Stress Center, and Women's Health Research at Yale. Dr. Lowe earned her AB in Psychology from Harvard University (2003), followed by an MA (2008) and PhD (2012) in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She completed a predoctoral fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College and a postdoctoral fellowship in the Psychiatric Epidemiology Training program at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (2014). Her research program focuses on the long-term mental health consequences of traumatic events across multiple ecological levels, examining how disasters, genocide, and mass violence affect mental health, physical health, social relationships, and economic wellbeing. Dr. Lowe employs diverse methodologies including structural equation modeling, latent growth curve analysis, geospatial modeling, and qualitative analysis. Her work often centers on vulnerable populations including survivors of Hurricane Katrina, Rwandan genocide survivors, people with disabilities, and racial/ethnic minorities. Dr. Lowe's recent publications reveal a strong focus on climate change and mental health, examining how extreme weather events impact psychological wellbeing across different populations. Her research shows evolving trends from disaster-specific studies toward broader investigations of trauma mechanisms and resilience factors across various contexts, with increasing attention to health disparities and social justice issues. Award for Outstanding Contribution to Trauma Psychology by an Early Career Psychologist (American Psychological Association, 2022) Robins/Guze Early Career Award (American Psychopathological Association, 2021) Wendy U. and Thomas C. Naratil Pioneer Award (Yale Women's Health Research Program, 2020) Chancellor's Distinguished Dissertation Award in the Social Sciences (University of Massachusetts Boston, 2013) Faculty Council Award for Research Excellence (Weill Cornell Medical College, 2012) Dr. Lowe serves on the Connecticut Governor's Council on Climate Change and the Scientific Oversight Committee for the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study. Her grant-funded research supports community-based investigations into trauma and resilience across diverse settings, including collaborations in American Samoa and Rwanda. She serves as an investigator in the WHRY Pilot Project Program, examining women's health issues through a trauma-informed lens. Dr. Lowe leads the Trauma and Mental Health (TMH) Lab at Yale, which employs interdisciplinary approaches to understand trauma responses and resilience mechanisms. Her lab collaborates with community organizations to ensure research addresses real-world needs and translates into practical interventions for trauma-affected populations.
Dr Tim Rakow is a Reader in Psychology and Deputy Director of the BSc Psychology program at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. He holds a PhD from University College London (UCL) and has over 25 years of academic experience, including roles at the University of Essex. His research focuses on judgment under uncertainty, decision-making processes, and risk communication in healthcare contexts. Rakow is an Associate Editor for Decision (APA journal) and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Education: PhD (UCL, 2001) on medical decision making; MSc (UCL, 1997); BSc (Durham University, 1988). Teaching: Coordinates Research Methods modules and supervises final-year projects. Leads the transition support system for BSc Psychology students and oversees the Graduate Teaching Assistant program. Research highlights include developing tools for patient decision-making in healthcare (e.g., children’s heart surgery data interpretation) and analyzing clinical judgment processes in pharmacists and clinicians. He has authored/co-authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to three research projects funded by institutions like the British Academy and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Awards: Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014), Leadership in education and research on decision-making methodologies. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects like the Children’s Heart Surgery Information website and risk communication frameworks for medical professionals.
Dr. Fan Xia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. She earned her PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Washington, Seattle in June 2020. Dr. Xia's research focuses on methodological developments in causal inference, particularly causal mediation analysis, and she has made significant contributions to the field with numerous publications in high-impact statistical and medical journals. PhD in Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle (June 2020) Dr. Xia's research is primarily oriented around causal mediation analysis. Her work provides comprehensive guidance for applied statisticians and epidemiologists navigating the philosophical subtleties and abundant methodology in causal inference. She develops methodologies for complex causal mediation structures, including mediation analysis with treatment-induced confounding, mediation analysis with multiple mediation pathways, and mediation analysis for longitudinal data, using rigorous statistical theories for semiparametric inference. Additionally, her research involves causal discovery and cluster randomized trials with stepped wedge designs, which are related to model-based causal inference with longitudinal data. Dr. Xia has demonstrated a steady publication record with increasing productivity since completing her PhD. Her publications span from 2017 to 2025, with a notable increase in output from 2021 onward. Her work appears in top statistical journals like Biometrika, Journal of the American Statistical Association, and Biometrics, as well as medical journals including JAMA Network Open and Clinical Infectious Diseases. The publications reflect her dual focus on methodological advancements in statistics and applications to important health issues, particularly in HIV research, clinical trials methodology, and chronic disease epidemiology. No specific awards mentioned in the provided information Dr. Xia appears to be actively involved in collaborative research across multiple domains. Her publications indicate collaborations with researchers in epidemiology, medicine, and public health. While specific grant information is not provided, her research on stepped wedge cluster randomized trials suggests involvement in methodological grant-funded research. She has served as a co-investigator on studies related to HIV, hypertension, tobacco use, and chronic kidney disease, demonstrating the breadth of her research impact. Dr. Xia appears to be part of the broader biostatistics and epidemiology research community at UCSF. Her publications indicate collaborations with researchers across different departments and institutions. While specific lab information is not provided, her work on stepped wedge designs suggests she may be part of or collaborate with teams focused on clinical trial methodology. Her research on HIV and women's health also suggests connections with relevant research groups at UCSF, contributing to the university's mission of advancing health worldwide.
Joshua Camins , Ph.D., ABPP, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign , affiliated with the Department of Educational Psychology and the Department of Clinical Sciences . He also serves as an Affiliate at the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) within the College of Applied Health Sciences . Education: B.A. in Psychology, University of New Haven (2011) B.S. in Criminal Justice, University of New Haven (2011) M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Towson University (2013) Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Sam Houston State University (2020) ABPP Board Certification in Forensic Psychology (2024) Research Focus: Camins specializes in forensic psychology , competence to stand trial , and violence risk assessment . His neuroscience work on childhood adversity and brain structure, particularly hippocampal volume reduction due to maltreatment, has been published in PLoS ONE and other journals. Publication Trends: His recent articles explore telesupervision during the pandemic, PTSD in veterans , maternal influences on delinquency , and school-based mental health for immigrant youth . Scientific Awards: ABPP Board Certification in Forensic Psychology (2024) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology, Mendota Mental Health Institute (2021) Grants & Collaborations: Co-authored a NIH-funded study on childhood socioeconomic status and brain structure (2017) and contributed to research on financial strain and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Professor Timothy Walsh serves as Chair of Critical Care at the University of Edinburgh's Usher Institute within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. He concurrently holds the position of Director of Innovation for NHS Lothian and Health Innovation South East Scotland, bridging academic research with clinical implementation. His dual roles position him at the forefront of critical care research and healthcare innovation in the UK. Walsh's research spans critical and perioperative care, with a programmatic approach building complex multi-center trials. His work integrates epidemiology, systematic reviews, cohort studies, and stakeholder engagement to develop pragmatic trials. Recent focus includes AI algorithm validation, sedation protocols, transfusion medicine, and sepsis management. His fingerprint reveals deep expertise in Intensive Care Medicine (100%), Intensive Care Unit operations (74%), and Critical Illness (70%), with notable contributions to sedation research (35%) and sepsis (26%). His 221 research outputs include high-impact publications in NEJM, JAMA, and The Lancet. Current projects like the SHORTER antibiotic trial and aerosolized virus quantification study demonstrate ongoing leadership in trial methodology. As Director of Innovation for NHS Lothian (2018-2024), he established data-driven innovation frameworks connecting academic and industry partners to address NHS challenges. Walsh has secured £9 million as Chief Investigator and £34 million as co-applicant from NIHR, MRC, Wellcome, and industry sources. His leadership extends to founding the NIHR critical care specialty group (2007-15) and UK critical care research group (2007-16), which remain foundational to UK critical care research infrastructure. Trustee at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (2021-present) Director of Research & Development for NHS Lothian (2017-2021) Chair of 19 trial steering/data safety monitoring committees Leadership in 13 ECTU trials, 9 UK trials, and multiple international studies
Jakob Eg Larsen is an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), affiliated with the Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (DTU Compute) within the Cognitive Systems Section. He leads the Mobile Informatics and Personal Data Laboratory (MILAB). His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Personal Informatics, Quantified Self, and Information Visualization, with applications in wearable technology, mental health, and healthcare. He teaches courses in Digital Media Engineering, including user experience, mobile application prototyping, and personal informatics. Education: PhD (2005) and MSc in Computer Science (1999) from the University of Copenhagen, with additional studies in cognitive psychology. Research emphasizes wearable devices for mental health interventions (e.g., PTSD treatment), physical activity tracking in pregnancy, and personalized hearing aid systems. Over 98 publications and 12 supervised PhD projects highlight his contributions to HCI, mHealth, and data-driven healthcare solutions. Labs/Teams: MILAB focuses on mobile informatics and personal data interaction. Collaborations span interdisciplinary fields like audiology, clinical psychology, and public health.
