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MIRECC / CoE

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Investigators

Faculty & Investigators

VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC

The VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC brings together a multidisciplinary team of scientists and clinician-researchers dedicated to advancing mental health care for Veterans and their families.

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

    Dr. Alexander is a neurologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). Her research focuses on the impact of physical activity on epilepsy and epilepsy-associated comorbidities, including depression, anxiety, sleep, stress, and quality of life. She uses remote technology and wearable devices to improve access and to gather objective activity data for her research. Her recent work aims to develop an optimized physical activity intervention for veterans with seizures as an adjunctive management strategy to improve outcomes and quality of life in veterans with seizures. She is working on expanding her research to include a focus on post-traumatic epilepsy.

    Research interests

    • Physical Activity
    • Post-Traumatic Epilepsy
    • Wearables
    • Remote Health

  • Research Professor, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Allison Ashley-Koch is a genetic epidemiologist and investigator affiliated with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). Her research focuses on the genetic and genomic factors that influence susceptibility to complex health conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health outcomes affecting veterans. Dr. Ashley-Koch collaborates on interdisciplinary studies examining genetic risk, resilience, and gene-environment interactions, with the goal of advancing precision medicine approaches that improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for veterans and other trauma-exposed populations.

    Research interests

    • Genetics
    • PTSD

  • Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Jean C. Beckham is a clinical psychologist and VA Senior Research Career Scientist at the Durham VA Health Care System. Her research focuses on the psychological and physical health consequences of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide prevention, tobacco and substance use disorders, and the genetic and biological factors that influence mental health outcomes in veterans. Dr. Beckham leads multidisciplinary research aimed at identifying mechanisms of risk and resilience and developing innovative interventions and predictive tools to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of veterans and other trauma-exposed populations.

    Research interests

    • PTSD
    • Genetics
    • Tobacco Cessation
    • mHealth

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Placeholder bio text for Seamus M. Bhatt-Mackin.

    Research interests

    • Interventions
    • PTSD

  • Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

    Dr. James Bjork is a neuroscientist and investigator with the VA MIRECC. His research focuses on the neurobiology of reward processing, decision-making, substance use disorders, and suicide risk among veterans. Dr. Bjork uses neuroimaging and behavioral neuroscience approaches to examine the brain mechanisms underlying motivation, impulsivity, and recovery from psychiatric illness. His work aims to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets that can improve prevention and treatment strategies for veterans with mental health and substance use conditions.

    Research interests

    • Neuroscience
    • Rehabilitation

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Daniel Blalock is a clinical psychologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC and the Durham Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT). His research focuses on chronic pain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the implementation of evidence-based behavioral health interventions for veterans. Dr. Blalock leads clinical and health services research examining treatment of substance use disorders, with particular emphasis on improving treatment engagement, reducing disability, and expanding access to effective care through innovative behavioral and digital health approaches.

    Research interests

    • Health Services
    • Interventions
    • mHealth

  • Senior Research Fellow, Department of Psychology, Georgetown University

    Dr. Kyle Bourassa is a Staff Psychologist in the Research Service of the Durham VA Health Care System. He is also a Senior Research Fellow and Affiliate Faculty at Georgetown University in the Department of Psychology. Kyle received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arizona and completed his doctoral internship at the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System in Seattle. He completed a T32-funded postdoc in the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development at Duke University Medical Center and an advanced fellowship in aging at the Durham VA GRECC before transitioning to his current role as a Senior Research Fellow at Georgetown and Staff Psychologist at the Durham VA. Kyle’s research focuses on understanding how stress and trauma affect health across the lifespan. His work examines the psychosocial and physiological dysregulation that link the experience of adversity with the onset and progression of chronic diseases, disability, and premature mortality. His recent work has highlighted the role that inflammation and accelerated epigenetic aging might play in linking PTSD to poor health as people age. His work makes use of both longitudinal cohort study designs and lab-based experimental paradigms, integrating top-down and bottom-up approaches. In addition to his work examining mechanisms of action, Kyle also studies how behavioral interventions might improve health among people who experience stress and trauma.

    Research interests

    • Stress
    • Trauma
    • Adversity
    • PTSD
    • Biological Aging
    • Chronic Disease
    • Health

  •  

    Dr. Zoe Bridges-Curry is a clinical psychologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC and the Durham Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT). Her research focuses on trauma and the development of personalized interventions to address psychiatric comorbidity and diagnostic heterogeneity. She has a strong interest in quantitative methods, ecological momentary assessment (EMA), and implementation of evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD and co-occurring conditions. Her work aims to ensure that every Veteran has access to mental health treatment that is effective, acceptable, and tailored to their unique needs.

    Research interests

    • Trauma
    • Comorbidity
    • Ecological Momentary Assessment

  • Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Patrick Calhoun is a clinical psychologist and Deputy Director of the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC. He directs the Mental Illness Research & Treatment Fellowship program in Durham and is a Senior Scholar (Psychology Director) for the VA Quality Scholars Program. His research focuses on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide prevention, tobacco and substance use disorders, and other behavioral health conditions affecting veterans and trauma-exposed populations.

    Research interests

    • Health Services
    • PTSD
    • Substance Misuse
    • Tobacco Cessation
    • Implementation Science
    • Anger/Aggression
    • mHealth

  • Placeholder academic appointment

    Dr. Rena (Liz) Courtney is a clinical psychologist at the Salem VA Medical Center and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC. Her research focuses on evidence-based treatment for chronic pain. Dr. Courtney's work examines mechanisms of treatment response and strategies to improve implementation of effective interventions in clinical settings. Her research aims to enhance recovery, functioning, and quality of life for veterans experiencing pain and mental health concerns.

    Research interests

    • Interventions

  • Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Dedert is a Clinician Investigator with the Durham VA Health Care System. He works as a program evaluator and data scientist for the VHA National Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Training Program, where he analyzes national operations databases and consults on the design of program evaluation and quality improvement projects. This work aims to promote competent use of treatments with established effectiveness to treat the mental and behavioral health problems that are most prevalent in Veterans. He also works as a Data Scientist with VA’s Suicide Prevention Impact NeTwork (SPRINT), where he is part of a team that is developing a Suicide Prevention Data Resource. This project is designed to create common data infrastructure, documentation, and access instructions for select researchers and program evaluators to use key data sets to improve suicide prevention care and reduce Veteran Suicide.

    Research interests

    • Electronic Health Record Data
    • Evidence-Based Treatments
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Substance Use Disorders
    • PTSD

  • Adjunct Associate Professor, Duke University School of Medicine and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

    Dr. Kirsten H. Dillon is a clinical psychologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). Her research focuses on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger and aggression, suicide prevention, and the use of technology-assisted interventions to improve mental health outcomes among veterans. Dr. Dillon examines factors that influence treatment engagement and recovery following trauma exposure, with the goal of developing and implementing innovative, evidence-based approaches that enhance functioning, well-being, and quality of life for veterans.

    Research interests

    • Interventions
    • PTSD
    • Anger/Aggression
    • mHealth
    • Suicide Prevention

  • Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Eric B. Elbogen is a clinical psychologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). He is the Director of the National Veterans Financial Resource Center (FINVET), a VA-supported initiative created by the VA Office of Suicide Prevention to help Veterans improve their financial well-being. His research focuses on violence prevention, suicide risk, firearm safety, and the social and behavioral determinants of mental health among veterans. Dr. Elbogen leads nationally recognized research examining the intersection of psychiatric illness, trauma exposure, financial well-being, and community adjustment. His work aims to identify modifiable risk factors and inform policies and interventions that promote safety, recovery, and successful reintegration for veterans and other at-risk populations.

    Research interests

    • Health Services
    • Aggression

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Melanie E. Garrett is a statistical geneticist and affiliate investigator supporting the MIRECC genetics laboratory. Her research focuses on human genetics, genomics, and the identification of biological factors that contribute to mental and physical health outcomes. Dr. Garrett leads collaborative studies examining genetic risk and resilience associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic disease, and related conditions affecting veterans. Her work aims to advance precision medicine approaches that improve understanding, prevention, and treatment of complex health disorders.

    Research interests

    • Genetics
    • Genomics

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Tate F. Halverson is a clinical psychologist and Director of Community Engagement for the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC. Her research focuses on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emotion dysregulation, and related behavioral health concerns among veterans. Dr. Halverson examines psychological, interpersonal, and trauma-related factors that contribute to self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, with the goal of identifying mechanisms of risk and resilience. Her work aims to inform the development of evidence-based interventions that reduce self-injury, improve emotional functioning, and enhance recovery and quality of life for veterans and other trauma-exposed populations.

    Research interests

    • Interventions
    • Health Services
    • Anger/Aggression

  • North Carolina Central University Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute and Biological and Biomedical Sciences Department

    Dr. Kati Healey is a neuroscientist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). Her research focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying substance use disorders and stress-related psychopathology, and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Healey uses translational neuroscience approaches to investigate how alterations in neuronal and non-neuronal cell types contribute to psychopathology, specifically learning, memory and affective disorders. Her work aims to inform the development of more effective treatments for veterans and other trauma-exposed populations.

    Research interests

    • Neuroscience
    • Addiction
    • Learning and Memory
    • TBI

  • Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

    Dr. Robin A. Hurley is a psychiatrist, Director of the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Education Core, and a nationally recognized leader in psychiatric education. Her scholarly work focuses on traumatic brain injury (TBI), neuropsychiatry, neuroscience education, and the translation of emerging brain science into clinical practice. Dr. Hurley has authored numerous influential publications that advance understanding of brain-behavior relationships and the neurobiological consequences of trauma. Her work aims to improve education, clinical care, and outcomes for veterans affected by neurological and psychiatric conditions.

    Research interests

    • Interventions
    • Education

  • Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Jason D. Kilts is a neuroscientist and investigator affiliated with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). His research focuses on neurosteroid biology, metabolomics, and the identification of biomarkers associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related conditions. His work includes interdisciplinary studies examining the biological pathways underlying risk, resilience, and treatment response. His work aims to advance precision medicine approaches and accelerate development of novel interventions for veterans experiencing trauma-related mental health concerns.

    Research interests

    • Metabolomics
    • Neurosteroids

  • Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Nathan A. Kimbrel is a clinical psychologist and VA Career Scientist at the Durham VAHCS. He is the Associate Director of the Mid-Atlantic MIRECC genetics laboratory. His research focuses on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide prevention, genetics, substance use, and anger-related problems among veterans. Dr. Kimbrel leads multidisciplinary research examining biological, psychological, and environmental factors that influence risk and resilience following trauma exposure. His work integrates genetic, clinical, and population-level data to identify mechanisms underlying adverse mental health outcomes and to develop more effective strategies for prevention, intervention, and recovery among veterans.

    Research interests

    • PTSD
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Genetics
    • Anger/Aggression
    • mHealth

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

    Daniel W. Klyce Ph.D., ABPP, is a psychologist clinician investigator at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System and Associate Professor at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VCU School of Medicine. He also serves as Site Co-Principal Investigator for the VA Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (VA TBIMS) study. His research interests include TBI as a chronic health condition; psychological adjustment to neurodisability; and, supporting caregivers of Veterans and Service members after brain injury.

    Research interests

    • Rehabilitation
    • TBI

  • Placeholder academic appointment

    Dr. Wilfredo López-Ojeda is a neuroscientist and Assistant Director of the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Education Core. His research focuses on the neurobiology of stress, trauma, and mental health disorders affecting veterans, with particular emphasis on translating advances in neuroscience into clinical practice and professional education. Dr. López-Ojeda develops educational initiatives that strengthen research literacy and evidence-based care while advancing understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying resilience, recovery, and psychiatric illness among veterans.

    Research interests

    • Neuroscience
    • Education

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

    Dr. Sarah Martindale is a neuroscientist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). Her research focuses on the neurobiological consequences of trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and related psychiatric conditions. Dr. Martindale uses translational neuroscience approaches to examine mechanisms of stress response, resilience, and recovery. Her work aims to identify biological pathways that contribute to mental health outcomes and to support development of more effective interventions for veterans and other trauma-exposed populations.

    Research interests

    • Blast
    • TBI
    • Brain Health
    • Rehabilitation
    • Biomarkers
    • Cognitive Function
    • Psychiatric Outcomes

  • Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Christine E. Marx is a psychiatrist, Co-Director of the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Research Core, and internationally recognized leader in neurosteroid research. Her research focuses on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), metabolomics, and the development of novel neurosteroid-based therapeutics for veterans. Dr. Marx leads multidisciplinary clinical research examining biomarkers of risk, resilience, and treatment response, with the goal of advancing precision medicine approaches and innovative interventions that improve mental health, cognitive functioning, and quality of life.

    Research interests

    • Metabolomics
    • Neurosteroids
    • PTSD

  • Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

    Dr. Scott D. McDonald is a clinical psychologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). He leads the Advanced Fellowship in Mental Illness and Treatment at the Richmond VA. His research focuses on traumatic brain injury (TBI), cognitive rehabilitation, psychological adjustment, and functional recovery among veterans and other individuals with neurological injuries. Dr. McDonald develops and evaluates interventions designed to improve cognitive functioning, community reintegration, and quality of life. His work seeks to advance evidence-based rehabilitation strategies that support long-term recovery and independence.

    Research interests

    • Rehabilitation
    • TBI
    • Cognitive Rehabilitation

  • Samantha J. Meckes, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and early career investigator at the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC and the Durham VA Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation whose research focuses on understanding and improving treatment outcomes for Veterans with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders. Her work spans the study of psychological, behavioral, and social risk and resilience factors among trauma-exposed populations, the adaptation of evidence-based interventions, and implementation science and quality improvement. She is currently the principal investigator of a VA Career Development Award (CDA-II) funded study developing and testing RISE (Rapid Recovery through Integrated Substance use treatment and written Exposure for PTSD), a brief, integrated psychotherapy for Veterans with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders.

    Research interests

    • Health Services
    • Mobile Health

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

    Dr. Holly Miskey is a clinical neuropsychologist and Co-Director of the Advanced Fellowship in Mental Illness and Treatment at the Salisbury VA. Her research focuses on attention, executive functioning, neurocognitive disorders, and the cognitive effects of psychiatric and neurological conditions affecting veterans. Dr. Miskey examines factors that influence cognitive performance and everyday functioning, with particular interest in assessment and intervention approaches that improve quality of life and long-term outcomes for veterans with neurocognitive challenges.

    Research interests

    • Neuropsychology
    • Executive Function
    • PTSD

  • Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Rajendra A. Morey is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist whose research focuses on neuroimaging, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the neural mechanisms underlying trauma-related psychopathology. Using advanced structural and functional brain imaging methods, Dr. Morey investigates biomarkers of risk, resilience, and treatment response among veterans. His work aims to improve understanding of brain-behavior relationships and advance precision diagnostics and targeted interventions for trauma-related mental health conditions.

    Research interests

    • Neuroimaging
    • PTSD
    • TBI

  • Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

    Dr. Scott D. Moore is a psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). His research focuses on the neurobiology of stress, fear learning, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with particular emphasis on cellular and circuit-level mechanisms that contribute to trauma-related disorders. Dr. Moore's work integrates basic and translational neuroscience approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve treatment strategies for veterans experiencing PTSD and other stress-related conditions.

    Research interests

    • Neuroscience
    • PTSD

  • Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Jennifer Naylor is a clinical psychologist and Director of the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). Her research focuses on chronic pain and mental health, and the development of novel treatments for Veterans experiencing post-deployment mental health concerns. Dr. Naylor leads clinical research trials examining biomarkers of risk, resilience, and treatment response, with the goal of advancing effective interventions that improve health outcomes and quality of life.

    Research interests

    • Interventions
    • Metabolomics
    • PTSD

  • Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of North Carolina School of Medicine

    Dr. Jason A. Nieuwsma is a clinical psychologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC. He serves as Associate Director of VA's national Integrative Mental Health (IMH) program, which promotes coordinated, whole-person approaches to care that integrate mental health, spiritual, and community resources to support Veteran well-being. His research focuses on implementation science, integrated mental health care, spirituality and health, and improving access to evidence-based treatments for veterans. Dr. Nieuwsma leads national initiatives examining innovative models of care delivery and integration, with the goal of enhancing the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of mental health services across the Veterans Health Administration.

    Research interests

    • Health Services
    • Implementation Science

  • Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia

    Paul B. Perrin, Ph.D., ABPP is Professor at the School of Data Science and Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia. He is also Co-Principal Investigator of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System's (CVHCS) Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study. His research area in psychological adjustment to neurological and chronic health conditions typically takes a family (e.g., caregivers, family dynamics) or psychosocial approach. He tries to bring cost-effective, efficient, and evidence-based health services to populations who otherwise have very little access to care, such as Veterans and Service Members in rural areas via telehealth. His major areas of focus include traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. He has a split appointment between the University of Virginia and the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS), and at VA, his primary goal is to facilitate research on psychosocial adjustment to neurological injury among Veterans and Service Members.

    Research interests

    • Rehabilitation
    • Spinal Cord Injury

  •  

    Dr. Ashley Prichard, Ph.D. is a CDA2-funded research scientist at the Durham VA and a CVNR Investigator affiliated with the Atlanta VA. Her CDA2 mentors are Dr. Scott Moore of the Durham VA, Drs. Machelle T. Pardue and Jennifer Stevens at the Atlanta VA, and Annabelle C. Singer at Georgia Tech. Dr. Prichard’s research interests utilize noninvasive audiovisual neurostimulation to target Alzheimer’s disease pathology in mouse models of neurodegenerative disease, and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. As men and women show pronounced differences in Alzheimer’s disease etiology, these studies will test noninvasive neurostimulation to identify personalized therapeutic targets and interventions for early-stage Alzheimer’s in translational science research and in future clinical studies.

    Research interests

    • Noninvasive Interventions
    • Age-Related Cognition and Memory
    • Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Candice Quinn is a Research Audiologist in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the Durham VA Health Care System and an Investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) and the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR). Her research program focuses on tinnitus and sound tolerance conditions in Veterans, including the psychoacoustic measurement of tinnitus, sound-based approaches to tinnitus suppression, and the assessment of tinnitus-related distress. Dr. Quinn examines how tinnitus intersects with the mental health conditions it frequently accompanies, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain, and how these comorbidities shape its burden among Veterans. Her work aims to advance integrated approaches that connect auditory rehabilitation and mental health to improve outcomes and quality of life for Veterans with bothersome tinnitus.

    Research interests

    • Tinnitus
    • Sound Tolerance
    • Psychoacoustics
    • Comorbidity
    • Patient-Reported Outcomes

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest School of Medicine.

    Dr. Jared A. Rowland is a neuropsychologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC. He is the Director of the MIRECC Post-Deployment Mental Health study. His research focuses on the long-term consequences of military service, particularly the influenced of traumatic brain injury and blast exposure. His research examines who will go on to have chronic long-term problems following these events and identify the biological pathways linking TBI and blast exposure to declines in outcomes over time. Dr. Rowland integrates advanced imaging (magnetoencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging) to study whole brain functional networks that can capture the heterogeneity that exists following TBI and blast exposure. His work seeks to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and rehabilitation outcomes for veterans with history of TBI, blast exposure, and other sources of neurotrauma.

    Research interests

    • Neuroimaging
    • TBI
    • Brain Health
    • Blast
    • Neurocognition

  • Associate Professor, Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Megan Shepherd-Banigan is a health services researcher and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC. Her research focuses on healthcare access, caregiving, health equity, and healthcare delivery for veterans and their families. Dr. Shepherd-Banigan examines patient, caregiver, and system-level factors that influence health outcomes and utilization of services. Her work aims to develop evidence-based strategies that improve care coordination, support caregivers, and reduce disparities in access to high-quality healthcare.

    Research interests

    • Health Services
    • Access to Care

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

    Dr. Robert D. Shura is a clinical neuropsychologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC. He is the Co-Director of the MIRT Fellowship at the Salisbury VAHCS. His research focuses on traumatic brain injury (TBI), neuropsychological functioning, psychometrics, personality, ADHD, and assessment of cognitive outcomes among veterans. Dr. Shura studies the complex interactions between neurological injury, psychiatric symptoms, and functional performance. His work aims to improve diagnostic accuracy, identify predictors of recovery, and inform interventions that enhance cognitive and everyday functioning for veterans with TBI and related post-deployment conditions.

    Research interests

    • Neuropsychology
    • Psychometrics
    • TBI
    • ADHD

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Delin Sun is a neuroscientist and affiliate investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). His research focuses on neuroimaging, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the neural mechanisms underlying trauma-related psychopathology. Dr. Sun uses advanced brain imaging and computational methods to identify biomarkers associated with risk, resilience, and treatment response. His work aims to improve understanding of the neurobiological effects of trauma and support the development of precision medicine approaches for veterans with PTSD and related conditions.

    Research interests

    • Neuroimaging
    • PTSD

  •  

    Dr. Cindy Swinkels is a clinical psychologist, Co-Director of the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Clinical Core, and leader in the implementation of family-services care for veterans. Her clinical and scholarly work focuses on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia and sleep disorders, clinical training, and healthcare delivery. Dr. Swinkels oversees initiatives that support dissemination of effective treatments across clinical settings and improve access to high-quality care. Her work aims to enhance treatment outcomes, provider training, and recovery for veterans experiencing trauma-related mental health conditions.

    Research interests

    • Interventions
    • Clinical Psychology
    • Behavioral Sleep Medicine
    • Veteran Family Supports
    • Community Engagement

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Stephanie Y. Wells is a clinical psychologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). Her research focuses on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), health services delivery, suicide prevention, and improving access to evidence-based mental health care for veterans. Dr. Wells examines healthcare system factors that influence treatment engagement and outcomes, with the goal of developing strategies that enhance quality, effectiveness, and equity in behavioral health services for veterans and other trauma-exposed populations.

    Research interests

    • Health Services
    • PTSD

  • Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Sarah M. Wilson is a clinical psychologist and investigator with the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC. Her research focuses on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), women veterans' health, healthcare delivery, and the implementation of evidence-based mental health interventions. Dr. Wilson examines factors that influence treatment engagement, recovery, and long-term outcomes among veterans, particularly populations at elevated risk for trauma-related mental health concerns. Her work aims to improve access to effective care and advance patient-centered approaches that enhance health and quality of life.

    Research interests

    • Health Services
    • PTSD

  • Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine

    Dr. Jonathan Young is a psychiatrist at the Durham VA Health Care System and a recipient of a VA Career Development Award. His clinical and research work centers on advancing evidence-based treatments for treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions and substance use disorders, with a particular focus on noninvasive neuromodulation. Dr. Young’s research integrates repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with neuroimaging and computational targeting approaches to improve precision, optimize dosing, and clarify mechanisms of action. A major area of emphasis is tobacco and nicotine use disorder, especially among high-risk populations such as veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

    Research interests

    • Neuroimaging
    • Nicotine Use
    • PTSD

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