Overview
I am interested in the neuropsychological and behavioral correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adolescent trauma. With a multidisciplinary background in psychology, physics, and biology, I have specific training and expertise in neuroimaging methods and secondary data analysis of neural changes in PTSD and childhood trauma. I systematically study PTSD-related structural and functional brain images using methods that focus on different levels including regional changes, connectivity, and brain networks, respectively, to build a complete behavioral-brain map. I also study the relationship between adolescent brain development and trauma as well as alcohol by using brain structure network graphs, longitudinal studies, and machine learning research methods. Besides, I utilize neuroimaging and neurophysiological techniques to investigate the neural underpinnings of social cognitive and affective functions in both healthy volunteers and patients with mental disorders including excessive internet usage, smoking addiction, Alzheimer’s Disease, and depression. I have successfully collaborated with researchers locally or from other institutions and have had several peer-reviewed publications in each project.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Lower Gyrification of the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An ENIGMA-PTSD Study.
Journal Article Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci · March 2026 BACKGROUND: Cortical gyrification involves the formation of folds in the cerebral cortex, coinciding with key neurodevelopmental processes. Its strong correlation with increased cortical surface area and decreased cortical thickness may improve cortical si ... Full text Link to item CiteStructural Covariance of Early Visual Cortex Is Negatively Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Mega-Analysis From the ENIGMA PTSD Working Group.
Journal Article Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging · January 2026 BACKGROUND: Identifying robust neural signatures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is important to facilitate precision psychiatry and help in understanding and treatment of the disorder. Emergent research suggests that the structural covari ... Full text Link to item CiteDisrupted thalamocortical functional connectivity and canonical resting-state network integration in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Journal Article Neuroimage Clin · 2026 The thalamus exhibits widespread connectivity to the entire cortical mantle, yet distinct thalamic subregions possess unique connectivity profiles and functional roles. While the thalamus has been consistently implicated in posttraumatic stress disorder (P ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Structural and Functional Architecture of Cortico-Cerebellar Systems in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma
ResearchSenior Research Scientist · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2025 - 2029Genomic Architecture of Functional Brain Networks in PTSD
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2023 - 2026Neurobiologically-Based Subtyping of Multi-Cohort Samples with MDD and PTSD Symptoms
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2022 - 2026View All Grants