S.T.A.R.T Lab
Stress, Trauma, Anxiety Research & Treatment
University of Missouri- St. Louis, Department of Psychological Sciences
UMSL
People
Lab Prinicipal Investigator
Dr. Steven Bruce
Professor of Psychological Sciences
Center for Trauma Recovery, Director
Director of Clinical Training
Current Graduate Students:
Anusha Challa (on internship)
Thesis: Differences in White Matter Integrity in Women with PTSD with and without Past Alcohol Use Disorders
Specialty: The Relationship Between PTSD and Opioid Abuse
Dissertation: Trauma and Alcohol/Substance use: The role of Self-Regulation Flexibility
Anusha was born in Bombay and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Leading up to and during her education at UC Berkeley, Anusha volunteered with refugees and became interested in trauma and psychopathology. After receiving her BA in psychology, she began working at Emory University in autism clinical trials research and research on cognitive-emotional factors following post-traumatic stress. Anusha's research interest broadly includes the intersection of trauma and PTSD with substance misuse. In her free time, Anusha likes to travel, volunteer, stay active, discover delectable food, and spend time with friends.
Sophie Haven (5th year student)
Thesis: Neuroimaging Evidence for the Diagnosis of Complex PTSD
Specialty: Attrition from Treatment in Adults with PTSD: Examining Factors Related to Attrition and Retention
Sophie grew up in San Diego and received her B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University. Following graduation, she received an Intramural Research Training Award from NIH to work and train there for two years. Sophie’s research interests include mechanisms of PTSD treatment and factors leading to treatment success. In her free time, Sophie enjoys walking her dogs and watching documentaries.
Marissa Yetter (3rd year student)
Thesis: Inhibitory Control and Functional Connectivity in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Marissa grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota and received her BA in Psychology from Grinnell College. After graduating, she moved to Washington DC to work as a post baccalaureate IRTA at the NIH. Marissa is interested in studying mechanisms of treatment in PTSD and risk factors for the development of PTSD. In her free time, Marissa loves to travel, be outdoors, and explore St. Louis.
Taryn Fitzgerald (3rd year student)
Thesis: Functional Modeling of the Relationship between PTSD and Pain Within the Fear-Avoidance Model
Jillian Berfield (2nd year student)
Thesis: TBD
Current Collaborators:
Adam Carrico, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Psychology
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine,
Director, Division of Prevention Science and Community Health
Nil Ean, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Royal University of Phnom Penh,
Phnom Penh,, Cambodia
Elena Molchanova, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Psychology
American University of Central Asia (AUCA)
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Rob Paul, Ph.D
Professor of Psychological Sciences
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Director, Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH)
Carissa Phillipi, Ph.D
Assistant Professor of Psychological Sciences
University of Missouri- St. Louis
Gregory S. Sayuk, MD, MPH, AGAF
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine and Psychiatry
Associate Program Director, GI Training
Washington University School of Medicine
Yvette I. Sheline, M.D.
McLure Professor of Psychiatry, Radiology, Neurology
Director, Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress (CNDS)
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Kamila S. White, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Doctoral Alumni with Dissertation Titles
Robert Graziano, Ph.D. (2020)
Network Theory Analysis of PTSD Symptoms of Victims of Interpersonal Violence
Tessa Vuper, Ph.D. (2020)
Neurobiological Mechanisms of Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder: A Brain Network Approach
David Strasshofer, Ph.D. (2019)
Examining the Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Posttraumatic Growth: Pathways to Thriving in the Face of Adversity
Melissa Turkel, Ph.D. (2019)
Understanding Comorbid Depression and PTSD Through Underlying Dimensions
Nick Brown, Ph.D. (2017)
Examining Veterans' Preference for Mental Health Service
Wilson Brown, Ph.D. (2015)
Affectivity, Brain Activation, and Treatment Outcomes in Cognitive Processing Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Katherine Buckholz, Ph.D. (2015)
Neural Correlates of Rumination in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Before and After Cognitive Processing Therapy
Emily Hu, Ph.D. (2015)
Cultural Conceptulizations of the Trauma Response: The Role of Fatalism, Locus of Control, and Religiosity
Ellen Koucky, Ph.D. (2013)
The Social Context of PTSD: Interpersonal Trauma and Postraumatic Social Support
Desiree Sutherland, Ph.D. (2012)
Maternal Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Parenting Satisfaction, and Child Outcome
Ryan Walsh, Ph.D. (2011)
Decision-making following sexual assault: Reporting decisions and exposure to the criminal justice system
Tristan Robinson, Ph.D. (2010)
Emotional Response Patterns and Emotional Numbing in Trauma Victims
Meghna Patel, Ph.D. (2009)
Why Do We Blame Victims of Sexual Assault?