Overview
I lead the Biological Embedding of the Environment and Stress (BEES) Laboratory at Duke. Our research focuses on understanding the biological underpinnings of stress and trauma-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To this end, we leverage neuroimaging, geospatial methods, behavioral assessments, and genetic techniques to identify predictors of PTSD and better understand why certain individuals may be at an increased risk for the disorder. The overarching goal of our current work is to determine how socioenvironmental factors, individual characteristics, and neurobiology interact to influence the course of PTSD development.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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2024 - Present
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences,
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
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2024 - Present
Duke Institute for Brain Sciences,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Neural processes of emotional conflict detection and prediction of posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters in traumatic injury survivors.
Journal Article Psychol Trauma · February 2025 OBJECTIVE: Given the prevalence and significant burden of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), identifying early predictors of symptom development following trauma is critical. PTSD is a heterogeneous disorder comprised of distinct symptom clusters-reexpe ... Full text Link to item CiteTrauma-informed systems change training has transcultural, transcontinental transformative healing power: An analysis of leaders in the United States and Angola, Africa.
Journal Article J Trauma Stress · December 2024 The Institute for Trauma-Informed Systems Change (ITISC) facilitated a 2-day, 12-hr trauma-informed workshop, delivered virtually, using the Training for Change curriculum. The workshop took place in Portuguese in September 2021 with a group of Angolan lea ... Full text Link to item CiteNeighborhood Resources Associated With Psychological Trajectories and Neural Reactivity to Reward After Trauma.
Journal Article JAMA Psychiatry · November 1, 2024 IMPORTANCE: Research on resilience after trauma has often focused on individual-level factors (eg, ability to cope with adversity) and overlooked influential neighborhood-level factors that may help mitigate the development of posttraumatic stress disorder ... Full text Link to item CiteEducation, Training & Certifications
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee ·
2021
Ph.D.