PhD
Assistant Professor
Location:
UNC Hospitals – Chapel Hill
Education and Training:
Clinical Internship, University of Wisconsin – Madison
PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Kentucky – Lexington
MS, Clinical Psychology, University of Kentucky – Lexington
BA, Psychology/Anthropology, University of Arizona
Summary Statement:
My research focuses on the characterization and treatment of aberrant neuroimmune processes implicated in the etiology and maintenance of anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. My current NIMH-funded study uses simultaneous functional and molecular imaging (PET/fMRI) to evaluate the pathophysiologic role of brain inflammation in brain reward circuitry dysfunction and anhedonia in MDD. I am also interested in the role of stress on these neuroimmune processes and symptoms. Ultimately, the goal of my research is to identify novel neuroimmune treatment targets for future experimental therapeutics clinical trials for individuals with severe, persistent anhedonia.
