Overview
My primary areas of interest include the etiology, assessment, and treatment of PTSD, depression, suicide, and non-suicidal self-injury. I primarily work with veterans, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel due to their high levels of occupational exposure to traumatic stress. I also have long-standing interests in genetics, epigenetics, GxE research, personality, smoking, comorbidity, and statistical modeling procedures, such as CFA, SEM, and mixture modeling.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
·
2026 - Present
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences,
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Recent Publications
Toxic exposure and rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among U.S. military veterans.
Journal Article Psychiatry Res · August 2026 Exposure to toxic substances has been linked to poorer mental health among U.S. military veterans broadly, but less is known about specific psychiatric outcomes, such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). In the current observational cohort study, we ... Full text Link to item CiteDNA methylation signatures associated with bipolar disorder in peripheral blood improve prediction models.
Journal Article EBioMedicine · May 8, 2026 BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a major mood disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. While DNA methylation from peripheral tissues can reflect both genetic and environmental influences and reveal insights into disease biology, i ... Full text Link to item CiteTraumatic Brain Injury and Accelerated Epigenetic Aging Among Post-9/11 Veterans.
Journal Article J Head Trauma Rehabil · May 2026 OBJECTIVE: Military service over the last several decades has been associated with an increased risk of injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). Veterans with a history of TBI often experience poor health outcomes and have higher rates of prematur ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Cognitive Rehabilitation for Treatment of Anger in Veterans with TBI and PTSD
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Department of Defense · 2025 - 2029Computerized Anger Management Protocol (CAMP) for Service Members With and Without a History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Department of Defense · 2025 - 2029Duke University Psychiatry Physician-Scientist Residency Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2024 - 2029View All Grants
Education
University of North Carolina, Greensboro ·
2009
Ph.D.